DURING the 1990s, the sound system played an integral part in moulding and bringing new talent to the fore. Veteran deejay Penny Irie is a product of that era and is grateful for the opportunity.

“Dem ting deh buss artiste career. Back in those days, when you were a young artiste wanting to get the break, you reach the dance from as early as 6:00 pm and deejay and build your craft until the big artistes come and tek over the microphone. The younger artistes had to work before the big names,” Penny Irie explained in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

The deejay — who is known for hits such as Shout it Out, Hotness, War and Crime, and Look Good Gal — got his start on the downtown Kingston-based Super Rock. He later moved to the Waterhouse-based King Jammys, then did a tenure with Black Ruler out of Central Village in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

“The sound system build you as an artiste. It helped to develop your confidence and by the time you finish, yuh ready to take on any stage show,” said Penny Irie.

Penny Irie — whose real name is Patrick Cephas — is from West Street in downtown Kingston. He also resided in Barbican (St Andrew) and Spanish Town (St Catherine). These days, he calls Central Village home.

His older brother is old-school deejay John Wayne, while Bounty Killer is his cousin.

In recent times, some veteran artistes have voiced concerns that artistes from the past are not given the respect that they should be afforded. Penny Irie doesn’t agree.

“People give the artiste dem respect same way, but a lot don’t get it. A lot of artistes do get respect from fans out there. You have some people, a nuh every artiste a fi dem favourite artiste. Dem love some and dem nuh love some. Look an artiste like Beres Hammond, people love him. People always showed respect to Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs and if they were alive, they would show respect to them any less. Even old-school artistes like Admiral Bailey, Stitchie, Papa San and going into the 1990s, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, and Capleton,” said Penny Irie.

He continued, “You just have to build your fan base that people can continue to gravitate to you.”

Asked to share his thoughts on the direction of the current state of dancehall music, Penny Irie said: “The music change, but you caan fight the youths. Encourage them.”

Penny Irie emerged on the music scene in 1991 when he voiced a dub plate for producer Steely’s Silver Hawk sound system that became a massive hit in the dancehall. The song was titled Matie.

“I was voicing a dub plate for Inner City sound at Jammy’s studio and Steely heard me and said he wanted the song on dub for his sound. He later produced the song and released it on vinyl,” said Penny Irie.

Penny Irie’s latest single is Caah Tek it Out featuring Pretty D.

It was released in July and produced by Jerome Davis of 360Degree. It is featured on a new version of the popular Giggy rhythm called Art of Dancehall.