Prince Blanco

"Prince Blanco displays his cool command of classic reggae styles." - Exclaim MagazinePrince Blanco (aka Mark Matthews) has a musical style that has been described as ‘alt-reggae’ and ‘classic reggae with attitude'. Born on the Isle Of Wight and raised in south-west London, England, he grew up heavily influenced by classic reggae music along with late-seventies punk rock and new wave. Eventually finding his way to Toronto, he involved himself in the vibrant Canadian ska scene, touring throughout the '90s as a drummer and vocalist with The Skanksters, who released the acclaimed CD, ‘Dub Cookery’ on the US-based Simmerdown label in 1997. When the group morphed into the dub-conscious Boogiewall Soundsystem collective in 2001, he stayed on and was heavily featured on their ‘Super My Own Band’ album.
Prince Blanco has had the privilege of performing shows with artists such as Michael Rose, Freddie McGregor and Jazz Jamaica. He has also sung with ‘armagideon man’ Willi Williams, ‘punky-reggae’ legend Ari Up (The Slits), legendary trombonist Vin Gordon (live in Jamaica), and has rocked the party alongside selector Jerry Dammers (The Specials). His first solo CD ‘Prince Blanco & The Rocksteady All-Stars’, a collection of reggae classics, was released in 2006. His latest CD ‘Rebel Discotheque’ was released in May 2008. Prince Blanco is the recipient of a 2010 JUNO Award (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy or BRIT award) for Reggae Recording of the Year along with producer Dubmatix for the single 'Gonna Be Alright'. He continues to collaborate with DJ/producer Aram Scaram aka Citizen Sound, who along with Dubmatix, Sassa'le, Nate Wize and Rednote performs as part of Toronto's bass heavy soundsystem ‘Dub Collective'.
Prince Blanco is the executive producer of 'Shatter The Hotel: A Dub Inspired Tribute To Joe Strummer' released on the 30th anniversary of The Clash's London Calling in December 2009. This project benefits the Strummerville charity. Please visit www.shatterthehotel.com.