ST JAMES, Jamaica – Veteran producer Lloyd “King Jammy” James was given a musical tribute by Lt Stitchie, Chaka Demus, Admiral Bailey, Pinchers, Chuck Turner and Leroy Gibbons at Festival Night Two of Reggae Sumfest a short while ago.

Speaking with OBSERVER ONLINE, Lt Stitchie said that the moment meant the world to him, considering that King Jammy helped to catapult his career.

“Jams is just special. He’s a legend, and to be honouring a legend in this time, who has done so much for the industry on a whole and for me personally as an artiste—he was the person who introduced me to the world with Wear Yuh Size,” the singer said.

Lt Stitchie further said he nor did any of his colleagues have a say in their song selections. However, he believes the team executed the tribute well.

“I never selected the song; they were selected by his team. I just performed the songs. I would have chosen others if I had the choice to, but they were well done. I think the set of songs were good selections,” he added.

Born in Montego Bay, Lloyd James relocated to Kingston as a child. Growing up in Waterhouse, he made a living as an engineer, building amplifiers and repairing electrical equipment at his mother’s house.

Shortly after, he started a sound system, but in the early 1970s migrated to Canada. He returned in 1976, built a recording studio in Waterhouse, and worked as an understudy to King Tubby.

James produced Wayne Smith’s Under Mi Sleng Teng, a 1985 song that announced computer beats to dancehall. That rhythm drove a number of hit songs including Pumpkin Belly by Tenor Saw.