Still hot on the Playground
PRODUCER Jeremy Harding’s Playground ‘riddim’ has been sampled by British duo Krept and Konan on their single Freak of the Week.
The song, which also features American Rhythm and Blues singer Jeremih, was produced by California rapper DJ Mustard.
Harding is excited about the recognition of a beat he created 18 years ago.
“It is great and an honour for me. It feels good to know that people are still listening to your work,” he said.
The Playground itself sampled a loop from Section, a song by neo-soul band The Roots. It was released in 1997 on the 2 Hard label.
Harding, 44, recalled how that project developed.
“I had just come back to Jamaica from Canada and started the studio. While I was in Canada I made hip hop records and did samples, and my approach to making music at the time was different,” he explained. “I basically invited artistes who I knew at the time. I met Spragga Benz through Don Yute, who also introduced me to Mr Vegas. Cobra usually came by to do dubs so we developed a friendship, and Sean Paul was in the camp at the time.”
The Playground catapulted Beenie Man to international stardom with the Billboard hit single, Who Am I (Zim Zimma).
Mr Vegas scored his first hit single with Hand Inna Di Air (Nike Air), while Mad Cobra dented the charts with Pet and Pamper. Other hits on the beat include Strong Performer (Spragga Benz), Slip Through Yuh Fingers by singer Swade, and Scream (General B).
Harding said Beenie Man was the last artiste to record his song.
“I got a call from (deejay) Mr Chicken at the time and he said Beenie Man was coming up to the studio. Within an hour he had voiced his song,” he recalled.
Prior to Playground, Harding had released the Fearless riddim in 1995. He cut the Lightning in 2000, followed by Liquid one year later. The latter delivered hits including Log On by Elephant Man, Can You Do the Wuk by Sean Paul and Ce’Cile, and Give it to Her, a Billboard hit for Tanto Metro and Devonte.
Krept and Konan are from South London. The duo are Casyo ‘Krept’ Johnson and Karl ‘Konan’ Wilson, son of influential singer Delroy Wilson.
They became popular by working the UK underground scene. Two years ago they signed a deal with Virgin EMI Records.
Their 2011 cover of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Otis brought them mainstream attention. They won Best UK Newcomer at the 2013 MOBO Awards and took the Best International Act UK award at the BET Awards.
