Selector Dubee, born as Thomas Dubee in Bridgeport, CT, discovered a passion for the stage at an early age. In the fifth grade he played Demetrius in his schools production of A Midsummer's Night Dream. Coming of age in the 80s presented a great outlet for that desire to entertain. Captivated by Hip-Hop culture and its musical score, he started break-dancing at 15. Thus began his search for a medium where he could marry a great stage presence and love of music.
THE ROOTS:
Dubee spent his college years in the Green Mountains of Vermont, performing in the Johnson State College theater and hosting a weekly radio show. These days were still all about the hip-hop.
After a stint on the lively scene in Burlington, Vermont - a very music-friendly community, he linked up with Infinite and rocked the local club and party scene, using the closeness of family and the power of music to feed the hungry little city. DJ Dubee opened for artists including Raekwon, Ghostface Killer, Capadonna, and Black Moon.
Infinite was rich with wisdom and bestowed on Dubee a connectedness that he really needed.
It was through his new family that Dubee aligned himself with a true sound system, and is forever grateful to Clint, Universal and the whole Retribution Crew Sound, Brooklyn, NY.
Always a crowd-pleaser, Dubee loves to create an excellent vibe, and it became imperative to deliver a powerful message with the music. With Burlington's huge Dancehall scene, and the evolution of hip-hop to hip-pop, Dubee found himself drawn to Dancehall Reggae.
Born in Bridgeport, CT (1973), Dubee never forgot his roots, hes returned to explore a bigger scene and get some exposure in NYC - while founding Burn Dem Up Productions with Smoke Jackson. Dubees stage presence and willingness to deliver the latest tunes with the aggressiveness of a hip-hop DJ, led to an offer from the Jamaican based Upsetta International Sound System. Teamed with Upsetta, Dubee has played along side and received maximum respect from such sounds as Black Kat, Massive B, Mighty Crown, Bodyguard, and many more.
Making a world wide movement, Dubee spent the month of December (2006) in Jamaica; blowing the minds of the massive as the "wickedest selector theyve seen in their entire lives!" as well as continuing to digest and study the culture that has made his everyday life a genuine blessing.
Every day, Upsetta International and Selector Dubee continue their mission to educate, using roots reggae to set the tone, give respect and dancehall to heat it up: moving bodies and bringing smiles.
Whats next:
Selector Dubee returned to Burlington, VT in the winter of 2008. Upon his return, Selector Dubee brought with him his Upsetta International roots and immediately founded the first Upsetta International of Burlington, VT with long time friends and selectors, Dante Davinci & Jon Demus (also while creating an Upsetta International in Providence, RI, with former VT residents Pauly Dangerous & Chancelor).
In addition to taking over & breathing some much needed life back into the Burlington, VT Reggae/Dancehall scene - Selector Dubee & Dante Davinci founded Upsetta's record label, now known as Upsetta Records. The movement did not cease there, as the duo (in connection with long time frind, Slanted Black's cRAIG mITCHELL), have recently completed construction on Upsetta Studio, located in the heart of downtown Burlington.
Upsetta Studio is the permanent home of Upsetta Records, as they anticipate their upcoming releases, featuring many, extremely talented artists on an International level
Stay tuned . much more to come!!
