DON YUTE: Adrenalin
Reggae's monumental world-wide success has obscured the fact that the Genre originates from an island small in size, but rich in culture.
Also indistinct, particularly to the commercial audience is reggae's roots as a vehicle for social change and resistance against oppression.
That in mind,it's not unusual for most reggae artists to immerse themselves in local issues that, while devastating as a form of artistic political or social commentary, rarely travels thematically that well beyond the Caribbean.
Never one to ignore the global picture, deejay MC]/producer Don Yute is an artist with an acute awareness of the commercial market without compromising his hard-core sensibilities.
No stranger to success, Yute is one of the unacknowledged success stories of dancehall ragga.
He's recorded two certified US gold singles (500,000 units sold), 'Sexiest' and 'Hardcore Wuk'with So So Def mogul Jermaine Dupri and worked with Mystikal (of 'Shake Ya Ass' and 'Danger' fame) and producer Medicine Man among others.
More importantly, it was Yute who kick-started the uptown DJ trend - the most likely to emulate Shaggy's success in the popular market - when he discovered both Mr Vegas and Sean Paul.
However, after years of contributing is phenomenal talent to the success of others, Don Yute finally releases his sophomore album 'Adrenalin' in a joint label deal with super producer Tony Mercedes.
"I feel it was an experiment for me, it was nice to get tracks coming from north, south east and west.
"That's my love for the music.
It was great writing for that album; it was nice working for different people.
That time I was the most free.
Barefooted all day.
The country, fresh air, the vibe, this album is one of my favourite albums." The fusion of exceptional hip hop , r&b and dancehall tracks with Yute's unique deejay style he describes as "steady hip-hop bass combined with a seductive dancehall riddim, 'world-hop'", would appear a natural one to take Yute to the forefront of popular culture consciousness.
Tunes such as the call and response 'Work That Thing' gives a little insight Into Yute's versatility as his unique delivery over a distinctly Latin track makes you keep hitting the "repeat" button.
"Gal Catalog" the humourous skits and "Bamboo Deh Yah" featuring Mr.
Vegas locks Don Yute's personality as a bonafide ladies' man while the slow, seductive r&b tinged 'Pump It" featuring Quick Silver and 'Live and Active' featuring Dancehall Diva JC Lodge will remind reggae fans of Mad Cobra's 'Flex' .'Party Goin On' featuring Six Shotz and Chyna Whyte with production by the Medicine Men is set to blow the roof off the club scene this Autumn .
Each of tracks on the album encapsulates dancehall ragga's pulse,without being overbearing beat-wise while having a distinct commitment to enjoying life.
The energy is unbounding, unbridled, passionate - Adrenalin! "It's one of those Don Yute albums that's not in-depth," he says.
"I'm not really trying to teach on this album.
'Adrenalin' is a fun album.
It's an album of dance and party joints.
Me waan [want] people to jus'smile." While this maybe the first album to introduce Don Yute to an International audience as an individual, the 23-year-old already has an illustrious recording career behind him.
His first single 'Murder Me' was released back in 1993 followed by 'Hardcore' and 1995 breakthrough hit 'Sensi Ride'in combination with Wayne Wonder.
Yute has worked with Jamaica's top producers including: Donovan Germaine (producer of Buju Banton among many others);Bobby Digital (Sizzla, Shabba Ranks, Patra); Mikey Bennett ('Housecall' by Shabba and Maxi Priest); Dave Kelly (Beenie Man, Bounty Killer) and Steely & Clevie (Billy Ocean, Caron Wheeler).
In 1997, Yute released his debut album'Golden Child' and numerous singles since like 'Tug Style Beep Me', the explicit 'Best P.Y.' and monster hit and No.1 song in Sweden 'Dancehall Crazy'.
Yute's has also started his own Golden Child label, producing tracks for such artists as Beenie Man, Spragga Benz and Mad Cobra.
However, a bullet holds no prejudice.
And Yute almost became another Tragic dancehall victim to fall prey to the gun when a bullet entered his lung after being shot in Atlanta, GA.
"Me did knock for me bredrin to drop off some vinyl, then a guy in a mask start pulling me trying to take me chains," he says.
"I was like, 'stop playin' with me'.
Me think it was me friend, then I see my other two friends sit on the couch, startled.
Me like, 'what the fuck is going on?' Being Mr happy-go-lucky now, going upstairs while the other robbers were robbing my other two friends upstairs.
By the time I'm about to go up the stairs now, me just ear 'bang'.
And me see the fire and the smoke and the ugly fucking man with the mask and I was just [pauses] spitting out blood, blood coming out me nose.
Went to hospital, doctors didn't know if I was gonna live." Fully committed to his recording career, Yute is widening his scope again, embedding himself in the 'Dirty South' vibe, while hanging out with the likes of Mystikal, Juvenile and the Cash Money Millionaires.
Their 'thug',do-it-yourself mentality is one Yute can relate having taken a similar path himself.
"I start my indie label, I build my hype, I sell my records myself, outta my own trunk, selling 60,000 copies.
You have to do it the thuggish way,"he says.
" I was honestly shocked and surprised that Tony Mercedes took me seriously, after all his history making success falls into the hip hop and r&b genre.
"Everybody in Jamaica, their main focal point is New York, Miami and the Caribbean.
But you see Don Yute come to Atlanta, to the 'Dirty South',New Orleans, flex with Juvenile, flex with Mystikal.
I come and live the ghetto life of these rappers that are writing stories coming like a motion picture.
Don Yute has established himself as one of contemporary reggae's most versatile forces.
One who will continue to attain commercial success on his own terms.
"I have to make them know, I am a confident youth in my style," he says.
"If you're not confident about your writing, what ya bother writing for? That's my attitude and that come out in my songs.
That comes out in getting the girls.
That come out in everything, thug style all the way." Management: Black Tie Entertainment (404) 767-3323 email:blacktieent@yahoo.com
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.urbanmusicgroup.com
Track List:
1. Interlude-Don Yute Got Shot-true story
2. This Boy Here
3. Gal Catalog
4. Mamacita Intro
5. Work That Thing
6. Pump It feat. Quick Silver
7. Lovin Excess feat. Wayne Wonder
8. Live & Active feat. J.C. Telephone Love Lodge
9. New Skank
10. Club Intro feat. Trish Da Dish
11. Party Going On feat. Six Shotz & Chyna White: production by The
12. Stop F****** With My Love
13. Kinky Daughter
14. Peace Plea Intro
15. No More War feat. Major Christie
16. Tuggstyle Run De Road
17. F*** Don Yute Intro
18. Bamboo Deh Yah feat. Mr. Vegas
19. Yu Own De Man
Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
- HIPHOP/RAP: Hip Hop
- WORLD: Reggae
- MOOD: PARTY MUSIC