Papa Levi
b. Phillip Williams. Papa Levi originally rose to fame on south London's Saxon sound system in the early '80s. His committed and uncompromising stance has, perhaps, denied him the kind of mainstream success that his talent deserves. As the premier UK MC of the period he was notable for a number of firsts: he was the first from the Saxon posse to make a record—Mi God Mi King (for Paul Robinson aka Barry Boom), the first UK MC to have a number 1 record in Jamaica when the same record was released on the Taxi label—and the first to sign a major recording deal—with Island Records. But while others reaped the spin off benefits from these achievements Levi never moved from Saxon Sound System. Live on the mic. he dominated the proceedings and little was lost in the transfer to vinyl, as demonstrated on Mi God Mi King when he dropped into the ‘fast style’ at the end of the record. The effect really was shattering. The rest of the decade saw him notching up some notable away performances in both Kingston and New York with Saxon on tour. Sadly he has never actually recorded that often, although when he does the results are always of interest. The '90s have neither seen nor heard too much from Levi but judging by his past performances the fireworks will start again once he returns to the studio.