When singer Zanadu got into the music business during the late 1980’s, he remembers going to recording studios daily, hoping a producer or musician would give him a listening ear. Over 35 years later, he is still showing his worth with new songs like Baby Believe Me.
Produced by Grizzly Cat for Canadian company Nine Life Records, Baby Believe Me was released on March 29. He no longer hangs out at studios, but Zanadu says it can be tough breaking a song.
“Di business change. These youths now not waiting on no producer, dem doing dem thing from a laptop. Dem can record a song today an’ get di song out by tomorrow,” he said.
The New York-based Zanadu is satisfied with response to Baby Believe Me to date.
“It getting a lotta attention even though is a small producer do it. A song like dis can go places,” he said.
Zanadu was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He spent his formative years in Cockburn Gardens, a working-class community that produced musicians like keyboardist Tyrone Downie of The Wailers, deejay Super Cat and singer Lloyd Robinson of Cuss Cuss fame.
Robinson, who died in 2013, was Zanadu’s uncle and one of his biggest influences.
Zanadu’s early songs were recorded under the moniker Hog Head for little-known producers. In time, he did singles for established producers including Philip “Fatis” Burrell, Osbourne “King Tubby” Ruddock and Maurice “Jack Scorpio” Johnson.
Body is Calling, a cover of R Kelly’s smash hit, was Zanadu’s breakthrough song for Jack Scorpio in 1994. Some of his other songs include Reaching Out For Your Love and Trade Winds.
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