One876 Entertainment.com

Veteran dancehall toaster Lloyd D Stiff, known for the massive underground hit Bum Bum Fatty, is back in the island promoting a new lover’srock single called ‘Call Me’ on local independent label, Push a Yute Records.

 

 

The entertainer's unusual name often elicits a sly smile and a double take when people hear it for the first time. It conjures up all sorts of racy possibilities in their heads. Lloyd is only too aware of this reaction.

 

“It is Stiff for the ladies, and just Lloyd for the men,” he said with a big smile on his face.

 

The talented crooner has released a video, directed by Deuce Benny, for the ‘Call Me’ single this week and the signs have been encouraging so far.

 

“The response has been phenomenal so far, it feels good to return to my old stomping groundsand to do music full time again,” he said.

 

A follow up single called ‘Crazy Over You’ on the System riddim, which is also on the Push a Yute label, is slatedfor release in February as well.

 

“I have considered doing an album and marketing it for Europe and Japan, but for now I ampushing singles, blasting it over the Net, and working the song in different markets with Phareal Entertainment taking care of the management side,” he said.

 

His controversial stage name aside, Lloyd is a stalwart in the West Indiancommunity in New York because of his tireless, sterling contribution to thecommunity through his music, and his charitable efforts to combat cancer anddiabetes. Lloyd is still on a high after landing a Lifetime Achievement Award bestowedon him by the West Indian community in Albany, New York.

 

“It was a great feeling to be recognized, words cannot explain how I feel, to be recognized by my West Indian community, Guyanese, Trinidadian people of indian descent, who appreciate the work I do for charity for Diabetes and Cancer awareness in thecommunity,” the entertainer whose real name is Lloyd Moore, said.

Lloyd grew up in Kingston but in 1980, he migrated to the United States with his parents. While livingin Jamaica, Lloyd had begun deejaying on a sound system in the vein of early frontrunners like General Echo and Brigadier Jerry, and when he got to Brooklyn, he found a vibrant dancehall scene waiting for him. In 1984, a chancemeeting with fellow deejay Phillip Brian aka Dark Vader who was the 'town'stoaster' changed his life forever. The two formed a tight friendship and eventually formed aduo called 'Space Warriors'.

 

The two began toasting together, supporting and competing with each other at block parties and basement parties inBrooklyn, until Sir Tommy's sound system recruited them as the resident sounddj's. However, tragedy soon struck when Brian was stabbed to death over a videogame.Depressed by his friend’s death, but determined to make it to honour his friend’s memory, he nevertheless plowed on with his career. Taking the monicker, Lloyd D Stiff, he recorded his first song in 1987 for Gyasi on the Witty Label entiled, 'Jamaica Girl', written by Phillip 'DarkVader' Brian. Although the track was a local hit,

 

Lloydy didn't receive prominence until the monster hit 'Nuh Lef Yu Condom' was recorded and released.In the wake of a virus called AIDS on the rampage and still misunderstood, this track was dubbed the 'safe sex' song and was an instant hit.

 

He followed up with singles such as 'Wine Up',somewhat of an answer to Admiral Bailey's 'Jump Up'. His debut album 'Skin ToSkin' produced by Gyasi in 1987 followed, and so did the request for shows internationally. In 1989, Lloydy broke ties with Gyasi over contract disputes, and started recording for DigitalEnglish who released singles such as 'Rough Winer', and 'Bad Talk' . On the strength of these singles, he scored several international gigs.

 

He was honoured to be the first dancehall artist to be asked to perform at the Trinidadian Carnival with acts like, David Rudder, Marshall Montano, Ricky Jai, Arrow andmany more. After touring the world and performing with now veteran dancehalland reggae acts like, Third World, Mad Cobra, Professor Nuts, Nardo Ranks andmore, Lloydy took a hiatus from the business for a few years to raise his family.

 

His last major performance was in 2004 at Trinidad& Tobago's 'Passion Of Dance',alongside Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh. Once again, he was the solodancehall/reggae artist on the bill.

But now he is back and ready to prove to the world that he still has what it takes to leavefans wanting more.

“I am ready to take on the world, just watch me,” he said.