Ini Kamoze - The Story of The Hotstepper (Reggae Stories)

Ini Kamoze - The Story of The Hotstepper Mini Documentary
Ini Kamoze is a Jamaican reggae artist who began his career in the early 1980s and rose to prominence in 1994 with the signature song "Here Comes the Hotstepper"
His song "World Ah Music" is also the basis of Damian Marley's smash hit "Welcome To Jamrock"
"Out in the streets, they call it merther!"
Taken from "The Birth Of Rude" Documentary series by ‪@Lotek13‬
#hotstepper

[@nattylox]

The research you put into these stories is legendary. I'm glad Kamoze finally got paid for his work!! It's criminal how Jamacan artists have been played by the industry over the years despite being major contributors and influencers of popular music

[@United-States-of-Africa]

Part of it is the industry in Jamaica till today is barely developed.

[@vectorhold6489]

I remember when this first came out. I was working at Little Ceasers Pizza in San Jose, CA. This song came on the radio station Wild 9.49 about every 30 mins. They just put it normal rotation because people would request it non-stop. Whenever it came on, no matter how busy we where or what was happening, we turned it up full blast and everyone sang along. Even the customers. It was like a mini-party every half hour. So much fun.

[@Traxploitation]

Love that! ❤️

[@frasslight1121]

San Jo!

[@SidewaysBurnouts]

SJ all day.

[@carlwhite3634]

Over 16million views, you know this kicks timeless ASS!

[@marthawoodworth]

This is what they mean when they say that the music industry is brutal for artists.

[@magenterprise6340]

The whole entertainment industry!

[@gdcskates]

demonic is word you are looking for.

[@krislatoya7556]

A lot of robbery and the stories always involve being ripped off.

[@Mr.TeETH78]

Because there are little to no regulations in this industry making it easy for grifters and psychopaths to put themselves in management and executive positions

[@roylandbrooks8237]

Ini Kamoze went to STETHS DURING MY TIME, 1972 TO 1974. DURING THIS TIME THE SCHOOL BAND WAS FORMED AND INI WAS INTEGRAL DURING THIS PERIOD. HE WAS A SINGER BUT HE ALSO PLAY THE DRUM AND THE BASE GUITAR. I KEEP FOLLOWING HIS MUSIC AND MY FAVORITES ARE PUMPKIN BELLY, TROUBLE YOU A TROUBLE ME, CALL THE POLICE AND HOT STEPPER. CELEBRATING YOUR ALMA MATER. For the oneness of the fulness of the Inverness JAH SHINES.

[@Traxploitation]

Thanks watching and commenting. "Pumpkin Belly" is Tenor Saw not Ini Kamoze, you're probably thinking of "Hole In The Pumpkin" 🤔

[@anthonyfrancis9363]

Bro, I don't know if it's just you or a team of people did this research, but all I can say is thanks to you first and foremost, and also any assistance you receive; if any. This is the most detailed piece of music investigative journalism I've ever seen; even better than TV1's " Unsung", and VH1's "Behind the Music", and that's saying something. Well done!!!!

[@Traxploitation]

Thanks for the feedback bro! Yeah, it's just me. All the research, writing, sound, music etc...I wish I had help lol 😆 Really appreciate the encouragement. Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂

[@grubthomas4826]

That’s what timeless music means. Living off your songs years and years after.

[@DiabolikalFollikles]

Truer words have never been spoken. 🎼

[@simbaking6338]

I cant believe he got nothing for Hotstepper...that song was one of the biggest song worldwide when it was released in the 90s.....The music industry is really the devil!!!

[@cookdislander4372]

I still here the song played in every country I visit

[@killamanjaro8908]

For real my son

[@user-kh7rz6rv4o]

And covered by signed and unsigned bands.

[@maxinecoombs1260]

He should be compensated for his song accordingly and any other songs which was used.

[@jahlanclaps21]

He sue her and win she have to pay 🆙

[@DiabolikalFollikles]

This is a thorough and informative breakdown, particularly the old video footage and photos. Black people are beautiful. 🎼🖤🎥🎼

[@daxtonreid2353]

One of the best reggae singers ever

[@leont5096]

Ini kamoze finally got some money later on i hope bless up ini kamoze thank u sir for this magnificent video

[@a2zme]

Here Comes the Hotstepper is an underrated masterpiece. ps: thanks for the video :)

[@cjjohnson3827]

I remember that song from when I was a kid in the 90s. I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about but it had a nice beat and it was catchy as hell lol

[@HULLGRAFFITI]

That first ep was incredible....I remember he kinda vanished and next min was dressed like a crip on MTV with Hotsteppa...I was always a huge reggae n Hip Hop head and that 90's era when they merged into raggamiffin with ppl like Krs1 crossing into dancehall and ppl like Daddy freddy crossing into hip hop and everything meeting in the middle I love that stuff...

[@kennethcole6166]

Khaki suit is a traditional style in jamaican rude boy style... Not a crip ting...

[@pure1239]

I remember a time in my community when no old people could be disrespected , no house could be broken into , no theft , no rape etc. The area leader made sure those demands were kept in the community .........everyone felt safe to go about their business . Although those were hard economical times ..... those were the best time.... . We had so little but we were always happy . Brook Valley salutes the EXTERMINATOR BOSS .......Real area leader .... REAL BROOKIST .

[@pwcraddock1984]

You know how to tell a story!

[@Traxploitation]

Thanks Paul! :)

[@yungimage]

Hot stepper will always be valid dat sound n style was wayyy ahead of it’s time so regardless of the drama behind the tune it will always make an appearance at any given time #timelessclassic

[@stonedphilosopherza4915]

Just my thanks to Beyoncé and her team for giving this man a pension plan. Well done!

[@United-States-of-Africa]

You bright and out of order!!!!! Reggae is a gold mine. You very disrespectful to thinking of my music that low. This man have more talent than the artist you mentioned.

[@hailemikael]

Mr Kamoze, me never know how the ting go Fe you, over the years. Bwoy your great voice a keep you up, as you've always held on to. Look how you still given some royalty justice ⚖️. Gwaan re-emerge.

[@ricardocorbie6803]

Still one of the sweetest voices eva☝🏿 Big 🆙 Ini❤️❤️❤️

[@Brokout]

Fantastic, the information isn’t just enlightening, but it’s presented in such an intelligible, entertaining and enjoyable way, thank you once again!

[@Traxploitation]

So glad you're enjoying the videos. Right now, it's the feedback and encouragement from you and the other viewers that is motivating me. So thank YOU!

[@Brokout]

@@Traxploitation Ah mate, your work is a pleasure to watch, your writing is extremely enjoyable, very nice flow and pace, will always look forward to your next video. 👍

[@nataliewebster7183]

This is so sad. He has such great talent as a singer

[@MisterElement]

As a DJ at a popular dive bar in SF (for 17 plus years) I can attest; throw on “HOTSTEPPER” and the entire spot would blow up, people jamming down and singing along!!! I would usually close with the Damian Marley chune “Welcome To Jamrock” because folks also love it, know the lyrics & sing along but it was more mellow and they’d be cool with winding down to finish their drinks and split amicably! Good times, great video and investigative journalism!!

[@kevinisaacs6930]

I love this Story! The Legend Work Hard. And in the end he finally got some reward! By his writing mellody skills. ❤🌟

[@georgeharris529]

No I'm not Bob Marley you killed him already great response Kamozi!

[@lowKut]

💯

[@codzy3532]

as cheech marin said from cheech and chong.........success is sweeter......2nd time around good onto him he didnt get paid back in 90s.......he is now 😊🖤❤🧡✌👍💐

[@liamoconnell2831]

Traxploitation you gotta me shaking my head, yet again . Awesome episode. Gotta feel for Ini. Most iconic voice and one of my favs in high school too. Respect overdue!!!

[@averychilco]

Love ya traxplotation, great production Ini Kamoze was jammin at jamaica jamaica in Houston in the early 90's.

[@funkrocker8011]

Thanks for doing this mini documentary. I'm a big fan of Ini's music.

[@Traxploitation]

You are welcome! Any other reggae artists (or any artists for that matter) you'd like to see profiles of?

[@funkrocker8011]

@@Traxploitation Half-Pint

[@christopherthompson1011]

hotter this year one of the all time albums !!!

[@dropview7013]

It’s really sad that Ini in Jamaica can have hits in the uk with Sly & Robbie on the production and not see the profits of his work. Why couldn’t anything be done about it?

[@Traxploitation]

It's very common. Various factors. Often comes down to lack of knowledge/experience...Derrick Morgan released records throughout the 60s but didn't learn what royalties or publishing was until the 70s...People take advantage of that inexperience. Both the labels in UK/USA and the Jamaican producers and distributors acting as middlemen.

[@dropview7013]

@@Traxploitation thanks for this. I suppose my point was that because Sly & Robbie were involved and I considered them veterans in the game by that time, I expected that their knowledge of the industry would have helped Ini avoid that pitfall. Btw really appreciate your KZbin channel. Great videos, really like the content and all your research, nice one man 👍🏽

[@theneonchimpchannel9095]

Pat Finnerty also featured the song in one of his videos. He was talking about how radio stations always play crap like Train but you never hear Ini Kamoze's "Here Comes The Hotstepper", so he got the band Doctor Dog to record a cover of it in the hopes of getting it played on the radio.

[@Traxploitation]

Ah that's cool! Will try find that video...I had to look up who Train was tho...they haven't really had much mainstream success in the UK no number 1s, only 2 top 10s and the only time they appear to have been on prime time tv here is when a contestant on The Voice Uk sang one of their songs and it re-entered the top 40. But they've still sold a few million copies here. Amazing how that works isn't it? Sell millions of copies here but most people probably still don't know who they are. 🤔

[@williamz7011]

#stopthetrain

[@brutalbasspro]

Train played a show at my local small town hockey rink they asked the guitar shop to rent them a backline. The shop didn't have an ampeg 810 or tube head item reached out to me so I rented train my bass amp for the night. I got paid but they also gave me a bunch of tickets and backstage passes. I didn't wanna go and couldn't even give those tickets away not even the backstage passes.

[@theneonchimpchannel9095]

@@Traxploitation Yeah it's funny how it works like that. I'm from Australia and Train have had a few really big hits here, but they've never really been as huge as they are in the US. But there are acts where you've never heard of them and when you ask around, no one you know has heard of them, but somehow they're selling millions of records.

[@Traxploitation]

@The Neon Chimp Channel whereabouts in Australia? I lived in Melbourne for 10 years...heading there next month to catch up with friends as I'm in the Philipines now researching a story...thought I'd drop by and say gday to some mates on the way home...

[@PiriakaTrackwrecker]

Love that Xterminator period, Hill and Gully Ride is a stonecold classic

[@user-UC7PfZyg-o4]

speaking of recording tracks in one take sly told me that they did alot of his records that way as recording time is very expensive. thankyou for this. ini kamoze is my fav reggae artist "Yeah man, real to the core, like the ever faithful, ever sure, come thru' the window if you close the door." - Ini Kamoze

[@Traxploitation]

Totally! I spoke to Dr. Alimantado and he told me he recorded each of the tracks from "Best Dressed Chicken In Town" in one take, and didn't even listen back in the studio as he couldn't afford the extra time! He came to England and was supposed to work with The Clash, but when he went to the studio nobody was there, they were in the park playing football while the clock was ticking, and money was dripping away, at the studio, he found this wasteful and lost respect for the band on that level and as a result never did the song with them.

[@user-UC7PfZyg-o4]

@@Traxploitation wow yep dont blame him. another little fact about why sly wears a construction hard hat while playing, i asked why and he said "because im on the job" i asked him if i could buy it (lol i was in total star struck mode idk why i thought to say that) he said no id just give it to you because you're a fan but someone special gave it to me.

[@jamalrobinson2159]

Bro...your knowledge is fucking flawless...I wouldn't like to go up against you in a quiz...and I'm from Spanish Town...ini is 1 of my favourite reggae artist...That Ini Album is flawless

[@Traxploitation]

thanks, but both my older brother and my Dad always beat me at quizzes. 🙄 but if the subject was reggae, I'd beat them both hands down!

[@remypz]

Good documentary. I've recently started to listen some songs of Ini Kamoze and they are fire. An then, I found this video which is only 4 days after this comment, which i appreciate. Good work.

[@frasslight1121]

Mystic voice...they call it murda!!

[@DWURL]

Thanks for such a compelling documentary on a legend it's much appreciated, one love ✊

[@aidy6000]

excellent! I recently discovered Ini Kamoze's earlier work. thanks!

[@PIPEHEAD]

What a ridiculous story ! I bought that first album when it came out, and it's still the most likely reggae album I'll play. I'm so old I was even glad to hear the whole story of LOATD, probably the most ridiculous part of the story. Thanks a lot, fantastic vid ...

[@Traxploitation]

Yeah how someone got a credit for writing something they didn't write is insane. 🤷‍♂️ when that publisher asked for money I would have told them Nah...nah nah nah nah...nah nah nah! 🤣

[@PIPEHEAD]

@@Traxploitation Just listened to WP doing LOATD, and the rest of the song isn't much at all - the track just comes down to a killer drummer and that great vocal hook. I'd love to feel sorry for Ik, but there's more to life than cash, as he well knows !"£$%^&*()_++_)(*&^%$£"!

[@saulbenjamin6368]

I think the short comongs of ini kamozie is to be blame on firstly the jamaican music directors they jamaican music top handlers laid the groundwork for kamozie misfortunes .all along i thought that kamozie was making monetary gains in his music trade still got a raw deal very talented brother .thanks for these info my brother now we know wat we never know respect too

[@renren4163]

This was so informative

[@shazzydnubee640]

Great content, I love these mini documentaries

[@ratbatnufftime2861]

The music industry really is one big mafia outfit. I cannot process how they attempted to destroy this man's career after he refused to be strong-armed into signing with that label.

[@Ghanjah-Man]

Great story, what I loved about this is the same thing that had happened to him by sampling other beats happened to him but this way he really benefited from his music. God chokes you but doesn't kill you. Better late then never.

[@saulbenjamin6368]

Lol god choke u but never kills u dats a good parable i will remember this one my brother for the fun of it respect too

[@Ghanjah-Man]

@@saulbenjamin6368 bless up bro

[@stefangaye]

This man is one of the best reggae singer I know.. POW ⚒️

[@cleanbowled1767]

Artists and producers who fail to close the copywrite and trademark holes are doomed to fall and perish financially in them!!!

[@bookaufman9643]

I actually applauded when you got to the part where he got paid from Beyonce's use of his music. He got lucky that they were honest about it and gave him his cut. He'd been unlucky the rest of his career so that was good.

[@Traxploitation]

I'm so glad you said that, I went on the same emotional journey while researching. I knew most of the surface details but when I checked in the PRS database to see what the writing splits for the Beyonce song were and how Ini got more than she did i punched the air in joy! So to hear that the finished video took you on a similar journey makes me very happy 😊

[@matthewmoore5698]

Whenever Matalica cover a song it’s the covered artists biggest payday , I remember Lemmy being very grateful when they covered a Motörhead’ song

[@apachebadindian]

I remembered when he first on the scene in the early 80s i first seen him live at a schools out concert in july 81 i believe when he had the world a reggae music song ripping up the place he had a wicked stage presence. He went missing dor a few years after that and reapeared with the smash hit hot stepper

[@jahlanclaps21]

One of the greatest reggae singer🎤🎤🎤ruff ruff artis this

[@themadsamplist]

Ini Kamoze - Ini Kamoze is one of my favorite albums ever

[@Traxploitation]

Every track is fire!

[@shadesgayle5514]

Excellent put together great work

[@Gregorovitch144]

Very interesting video this. About an obviously interesting as well as talented man who has a side to him that that makes establishing stable relationships in the music business difficult I would guess. I have an original 12" of Trouble You Trouble Me, it was one of our favourite reggae tunes when it first came out. It's got a long version of Reggae General on the back. Killer music.

[@Traxploitation]

Generals is a wicked tune! When we come ah dance we drop it crucial!

[@themelongourddevelopmentbo4963]

This was a great time.. Thanks again, Wayne. I love this channel.

[@jimmyandtheresurrection7247]

Roll-a-coaster ride indeed !

[@radcliffemurphy5273]

Original hot stepper is a classic

[@kennydude7971]

Great information!!!

[@amandadunn7678]

I can't believe Ini Kamoze originally didn't make a penny from "Here Comes the HotStepper" as popular as that song was back in '94. That's a damn shame.

[@leedza]

Salam Remi is one of those unsung heroes of Black Music. He is a musical genius

[@buddhaboy-]

Love the track Police done with the taxi crew… ini🔥rox!!!

[@wrestlefigsuk]

I first heard the song in 1995 in wrestling promotion ECW when tag team The Public Enemy used it as their theme when they came to the ring

[@Traxploitation]

Great entrance song!!

[@clifffluet977]

Fantastic

[@desmondjohn88]

Ini komozie in my top 10 one of the best especially his stuff in the 80 s

[@Traxploitation]

Me too! Probably top 5 even 🤔 His voice just cuts through the mix...he commands every riddim

[@desmondjohn88]

@@Traxploitation respect

[@jrjefferson01]

Man... I love this channel. Digestible music history lessons for the soul.

[@Traxploitation]

Thank you! Glad you like the vids! Appreciate the positive comment too :)

[@Mr313PATRIOT]

Thank you for this !

[@Traxploitation]

My pleasure!

[@seove1]

Great vid. Great history.

[@Traxploitation]

Thanks 😀

[@1lionconqueror]

Debut comp is wicked! Be good if it ever gets pressed onto LP

[@justyna4276]

Good video

[@annmarie1771]

This music industry is so wicked and full of unfear people and thief they can do what they want with you but you can't omg

[@rosannalovespanda]

Wow! First time viewer and now a subscriber! Can’t wait to watch more. Thank you.

[@Traxploitation]

Welcome to the party!

[@sidvicious647]

There is ONE WHO HATES a Man working and not getting paid and who will make sure EVERY cent is returned with interest!!! The LAST WILL BE FIRST AND THE FIRST WILL BE LAST !!!! HALLE-LU-YAH !!!!

[@hoseamiller6189]

i man have most of his music 🆗🙏🎩🎤

[@miamiwax5504]

Top quality on putting this together

[@philliplyn2692]

Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@aloneinthedark2023]

This was awesome, thank you! 😮

[@Traxploitation]

You're so welcome!

[@goymatron]

Bro.. loving the series!! Brilliant 👊🏽

[@Traxploitation]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@marvin4827]

Well researched video. An interesting insight into the inner workings & un seen aspects & challenges of the music industry. It's a jungle out there, is a massive understatement.

[@plunda720]

I was in high school in Jamaica 🇯🇲 when this came out

[@haroldbrown7930]

BRUTAL INDUSTRY FULL OF PIRATE

[@ram50zomers]

Love this music history stuff ! The Walker brothers did a cover version as well ? (Land of 1000 Dances)

[@truleyblessed7406]

Great job brother again

[@Traxploitation]

Thanks again!

[@velociraptor8984]

No wonder music is dead ... very little artists make any money ...

[@Traxploitation]

Music isn't dead 🤷‍♂️ Lots of artists make decent money, last year the global revenue for recorded music was $26bn the highest its ever been at any point in history. The problem is distribution of that revenue, more often than not the artists that don't make money have agreed to an inequitable deal. My goal is to try and help artists navigate the industry and be the primary beneficiaries of their work.

[@southlondon86]

Sir thank you for this video 🙏

[@Traxploitation]

You are welcome!

[@DMRMUZIC3330]

Thanks for the info

[@aundraejordine8654]

My favourite Kamoze tune is "Stress" "When we come it is stress..." 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@julyanjohns1237]

great content. never knew about him getting paid from a beyonce song. thank you for putting this together, really enjoyed it

[@cleonhinze2521]

Just watched your video, it was great. Everything came full circle for him. It came back where he still got paid for his work. The music bussiness is a BITCH.

[@djboomshot]

Well researched, and well done all around. Kudos to the producers of this piece. I was playing Here Comes The Hotstepper heavy in the clubs in '94, and pretty much have been ever since. The rest of his earlier catalog got pretty heavy play from me too on college and community radio throughout the years. Definitely a lifer Ini fan! And Newton "Sipho" Merritt is a good friend of mine, so I'm glad you included him in here as well, as he played a pivotal role in Ini's early developing years.

[@Traxploitation]

Thanks 😀. It's just me making these. Alot of these reggae ones came from me explaining the references in one of my songs (I'm a producer and rapper myself too) this song had a lot of references some people didn't recognise. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHfXf6CPfJZkea8 Let me know what u think of it...

[@vasheldiablo507]

Great video

[@Traxploitation]

Nuff respect.

[@tramp2892]

One of my favorite reggae artist.

[@richone2540]

My brother actually played on Ini K's first song World affairs.

[@Traxploitation]

That's cool! Who's your brother?

[@margarettemullings2527]

LINK I LINK ON POSITIVE ENERGY 👏

[@RootzMovementKB]

Great video. Never knew about the Beyoncé song and Ina getting 30%

[@Traxploitation]

Yeah I was quite surprised when j checked the writing splits in the PRS database, that he had more than Beyonce

[@NabilAbdulrashidComedy]

I wonder if the Beyoncé thing was intentional and their way of lying their dues to a legend

[@KenUbeleveit1]

The music industry is a dirty industry. So many artists have been done dirty by these executives. It's all about money to them. The well-being of the artists is not that important to them.

[@sabstraight]

Nice work. The Debut album is re-recordings of his old stuff.

[@bombercountyblues]

To this day, the first image conjured up by the intro to hotsteppa is prince naz coming to the ring..

[@staminadon]

Master blaster singer this

[@MrSimZOldSchoolRev]

Great video… Nuff RespeK

[@Traxploitation]

Big up

[@kbtube8125]

wow. . . .

[@Becauseimme]

Smash hit!!! Reminds me of 6th grade.