Henry "Junjo" Lawes: Architect of The Golden Era of Dancehall

At just 19, Henry Junjo Lawes transited from political party gunman to record producer with two of the biggest artistes in Jamaica under him.
He eventually became one of the most important figure in dancehall history

[@rjlohr]

...excellent channel/videos...always a lot of serious knowledge dropped in a concise format. Junjo/Channel One/Scientist took the recording quality to another level...

[@WadjilaCherokeeX]

One of my favorite Wailing Souls LP's is Firehouse Rock which credits Junjo as the producer and Scientist as the engineer. Turn up See Baba Joe with it's prophetical message and wicked harmonies and you will be on an unforgettable journey. One of the best tracks ever laid down

[@zeusapollo8688]

Some of those tracks show up on scientists dub albums. Curse of the vampires I think

[@kevinreese8224]

I remember Yellow chanting Junjo’s name in a song, and after research I found out why: he was talented at finding talent for the dancehall 🙏🏽

[@smokebracelet]

Epic! Biggest respect for Junjo & great thanks to you for making this. Would Love to see a vid on Papa Toyan if possible!!

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

On it!

[@smokebracelet]

@@ReggaeAppreciationSociety Amazing, thank you!!

[@barrywilliams3147]

Those were the days, it's a pity that dancehall has finished now

[@gregoryspevack2263]

His productions were in class all by themselves. Nice to hear about artist getting paid back then, I had a chat with Flabba Holt from the Radics a few years ago. He told me never got paid for his work with on the Night Nurse album.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Wow Flabba Holt not getting pay for such a big record is a crime. They did him dirty. Thanks for sharing Gregory G 🙌

[@ChillingAccount]

His Ninjaman productions are as good as anything he ever did and the best of Ninjaman's music too. Great mini-documentary, lots of info and photos I didn't know before. Any chance of a Ninjaman documentary?

[@stuckintha90s]

I didn't know much about him until recently 😮 his impact was huge

[@56postoffice]

I always wondered what happened to "Junjo" after 1984 - the year I'd considered to be the last time he was prolific in the studio. Watching this video now I know why. *"Pass the Tu Sheung Peng"* by Frankie Paul was a massive hit in 1984, produced by "Junjo" Lawes, the same year he also produced Carlton Livingston's classic *"100 Weight of Callie."* But also in that period you had George Phang rinsing out hits with Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty, Sugar Minott, Josey Wales, Michael Palmer. As stated in the video, this was the dawn of the computer age in reggae, and seeing I was still a yute of 16 between 84-85 I thought it was this change is the reason I never hear of "Junjo" Lawes again in the reggae business until his death in '99. Great history video ag🇯🇲🇬🇧🇯🇲🇬🇧🇯🇲

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings ✌️ Thanks for watching

[@bailey9746]

Thank you brother I was waiting for this one, blessings

[@amegwuabel563]

Massive

[@fredericocr1]

Thank you dor this video. Super informative as always. Great work, really

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mon ✌️ Thanks for the support. Big up yourself

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

Very eventful life....But i am touched by his honesty in his relationship with fellow artists whom he strived to always promptly pay..But at the same time I'm struck by the animosity and bad blood between some of these guys... Scientist in particular was adamant Junjo was hardly ever in the studio and let his sidekicks do the job for him..I know Hopeton Brown aka Scientist could be cynical and justifiably bitter at times but i really don't know whether i should take his word for it .

[@lion8608]

I believe Scientist. Had long conversations about this topic and others.

[@MisterElement]

Seen!!? I too wondered ’bout this here AND recent info I’ve learned re: Junjo putting out a contract ‘pon Tenor’s life…SO, SO SAD!!

[@teclife75]

Most of the prominent members of the volcano crew died from the gun: Louie lepke, Billy Boyo, Toyan, and aforementioned Junjo, the laid back period of the late 70’s, turned into the wild, violent and cocaine fueled early 80’s and most of the brothers got caught up and became victims of that time.

[@jamesmacintyre7175]

Love the background riddim in all your videos, what's it called or where can I find it? Thanks

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Thanks mi lion. It's just a likkle instrumental put together in the lab. It's not online

[@staminadon]

Volcano sound was third stur gav killamajaro mash 🆙 volcano junjo a mafiso

[@resserection1]

It's depressing that pure circumstance changed his entire life and career. Prince Jammy took a lot of credit from artists like Scientist and Blacka Morwell.

[@Fen534]

Yoy say he never cheated his artists ask barrington levy what he did to him

[@spencerwalsh8907]

Promo_SM 😚

[@Number1ReggaeHunter]

Hate the digi dancehall era. 80s dancehall is di best!