KENDRICK ‘SON-SON’ McKENZIE
THE EXCLUSIVE
” A Reggae Music Producer Who Should Not be Overlooked”
By: C. Harrison/Editor | Friday | December 27, 2024 | 3:07 AM
New York, NY… Jamaican Reggae Music Producer, Kendrick McKenzie, in a vibrant interview via phone from Jamaica, was intensely guarded because he didn’t know well enough about who bundiblog.com was. Putting him at ease, he profoundly warmed up for the inquiry. Intuition and a proper perspective on the cherished Producer, who have helped so many stellar reggae artists, I wanted to see what he was really made off. Quickly, I realized that he was no nonsense, say precisely what he means and is very knowledgeable about the intel he speaks of.
He is fondly called ‘Son-Son,’ by those that know the veteran D.j. and Producer, throughout the Reggae Music Fraternity, who holds his own and is second to none. He is one of the ‘Creme de la Creme,’ in the raw producing, creating of and makeover of refurbish (Tweek up) of lyrics. He is amongst the best of reggae music producers in history, which includes Duke Reid, Coxsone Dodd, Dandy Livingstone, Lee ‘Bcratch’ Perry, King Tabby, King Jammy, Keith Hudson, Pupie Edwards and he can also keep up with the best of the new fabs…Young Jamaican Reggae Producers including: J- Vibe, Jermaine J` August Reid, En Young, Johnny Cosmic, Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor, Buju Banton, and Nosh Cronin and so much more too many to name here.
McKenzie, Son-Son, at the time a future Producer to be reckoned with, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, performed, D.J. and moved around with the best (artist) of what Jamaica at the time, had to offer in music. Son-Son said, “I am a music Producer.” Notice, he did not say reggae music producer, he said Producer. McKenzie also voiced, “My Mom, gave me the name Son-Son.” In explaining why, McKenzie noted that he had a cousin named ‘One-Son,’ thus, the generated and competed name. “He is one year older than me, so when I came up, they call us One-Son and Son-Son,” explained the not to be overlooked Producer.
McKenzie further contended that he began what is today, his career as a Producer, at age 15 or 16, on the Black Zodic Sound. Due to this life experienced he gained knowledge, craftsmanship and expert insights, not only into reggae music, but a plethora of musical varieties. He will be the first to tell you that he was a D.J. first, before becoming a Producer. Noting here that he said back then, early 90s, he worked with artist like: Little John, Phillip Frazer, Edward Fitzroy, Capleton Zodic, Danny Dread, PapaTayson, Sluggy Ramking, Trouble Cat, Skinny Ben-Ben via NY, Tuffest, and Jigsy King, covering song such as: “Load It Back,” & ” Have to Get you,” and of course Stefflon Don aka Don-One, whose studio he was allowed to use anytime he choose to.
At this jumcture, using Don-One’s studio, McKenzie would go on to produce several reggae artists including Tony Tuff, Tony Curtis and Chuck Fender…whom he was the first Producer to put Fender, in any studio and produced him. At the same time, McKenzie, ‘Son-Son,’ scolded that had it not been for Miky Demus, Chuck Fender wouldn’t have gotten started in music period. Demus coached him.
“I am a Karate freak and “Secret Rival Records,” began in 1995.” My Label is an independent label…derived from the Secret Rival Karate Movie via Secret Rival Reggae Music. I have a brother Peter McKenzie, NY, from FM Force, who break out Shaggy; introduced him to the entertainment scene. My brother produced Shaggy in 1994. FM Force was established in 1992. At FM Force, my brother’s Label, he built rhythms and sounds. For example, the music “Budabuy Budabuy,” sound he created it. I used FM Force to push out songs and produce. There, I also used sync has a producer, whereas you get sync license from various Producers and Publishers, give them credit for the compositions and 100% to who owns the rhythms or give them 75% and you take 25%.
In addition, this expert Producer shared where and how he got his music producing acuteness and business witts. He revealed that his dad lived on Long Island, in New York. “I just pass through,” I don’t like the cold,” “I used to go to the late Producer, Phillip Smart’s studio in Freeport, on the Island,” Son-Son said. Adding, “While I was in the United States, I did a two -year, course in California at Berkely College at the Audio Institute of America. There, I learned to do the book side of the music business and got my certificate. That was where I found out about PPL, now derived newly PSR…music agencies that collects royalties for artists. They are the two best agencies to use for collecting music royalties.”
“I help the reggae artist them because none of them don’t know how to collect their royalties.” The ‘Mighty Diamonds,’ Tabby, was the first person I help. I got him $1.3 Million through PSR. I was his first manager. I also did paperwork for the ‘Silver Tone Group.'” Son-Son revealed
“It’s just you have to have something inside of you to know if the music can sell or don’t sell, as a Producer.” “This is why I can come up with particular execution for my music,” explained Son-Son.
More to the point, Son-Son quipped, “You just have to know to make the artist deliver.” If not, it’s a flop song and someone else will come and prop it up and you lose.”
Here, the giant Producer sang for me Acappella one of his song, “Have in Yor Mind to Dis the Uptown Man,” sweet.
Conversely, when I asked him if it’s ever a good idea for young people to produce their own music, he said this, “If a young person can produce their own songs or music, I encourage them to do it themselves,” “The only thing new in the music is the sound…which are now changing in styles,” he remarked
He said, “You have to be mindful of people who take contents and run with it.” He also said, “You can go even more, you can do three bad songs or an EP, so you can sell them; because sometimes it’s a philosophy.” “You get your idea from others but, you switch it up and make it better,” Son-Son conceded.
“If you use a rhythm you tweek it up and then pay the composer or creator of it half the money 50% and take the other half or pay them 75% and take 25%,” explained the creative and savvy expert.
Furthermore, the visionary made it clearer that he doesn’t plan 5-year, calendars, he only plans 3 years at a time. “Whatever style I have I write it down in my book then ask person’s if they like it, if they do I keep it.””Always, keep a copy of the date and month, when you release an album,” Son -Son said.
Some History 2021
Son-Son, saw not only traction in 2021 but, gain more value and stupendous notoriety when he envisioned the future of these artist: Ninjakyat..Life Good, Empress Lyrics, PehPeh, Tilly Beng, Ignyte Ft LoGi, Luh Luh Lay, and linked up with Brojahtosh Records on the Wasp Rhythm Extra, Peter Metro, Little John and Pecus de General. He was to be reckoned with.
In finishing the delightful and interesting interview, the expert Producer noted that he was gearing up himself to get one or two guys to put in the studio come Nov 2024.
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