Little John
b. John McMorris, c.1970, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. McMorris first recorded with Captain Sinbad for the Youth In Progress label at the tender age of nine, where his piping interjections contrasted neatly with Sinbad's gruff style, and throughout the '80s he was seldom out of the reggae charts. Claimed by many to be the first dancehall singer, his ability to fit lyrics over any rhythm or backing track became something of a legend in a business that has scant regard for second takes and ‘dropping in’. Little John did it every time—and he rode on the crest of the '80s dancehall music explosion, becoming a superstar by the age of 17. 
He began his career on Romantic Hi Fi, moving up through Killermanjaro, Gemini and Volcano Hi Power (the importance of sound systems such as these to the rise in popularity of Little John and dancehall music cannot be overstated) where he honed and perfected his craft with a constant string of live appearances. Simultaneously he was recording for just about every producer in Jamaica, notably Henry Junjo Lawes, Joe Joe Hookim, George Phang, Jah Thomas and Jammys, and he has released countless records on a bewildering string of labels. He no longer records as extensively as he once did, and limits his live appearances these days too—a stance that is only fitting for a veteran of his status. He's certainly not living on past glories either, as recent hits for Exterminator proved, and his talent, warm personality and skill as a raconteur are bound to ensure his place at the top for a long time to come.