Macka B
Macka B (* as Christopher MacFarlane in Wolverhampton, England ) is a British reggae artists.
Musical development
He was influenced very early by the Lord Barley sound system that organized in his neighborhood blues parties, and has since become addicted to reggae. At school he learned to play the violin and joined the school choir. In his spare time he was inspired by famous artists such as Burning Spear, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Count Ossie. After his schooling he planned a career as an engineer and began a technical education in Ever Ready, however, failed because the factory closed.
After this Macka B practiced intensively in DJing and decided according to the rules of the faith of Rastafari to live, which became the center of his life. Macka B was active with some friends in the Exodus sound system for the first time.
A visit to Jamaica in 1982 helped him to further develop his skills and enabled him in 1983 to participate in a DJ competition in the Rising Star Club in Bilston including against Pato Banton & Rankin Ann and to win. Then he was invited to numerous radio shows and his popularity grew.
With a band called Pre -wax he gave many live concerts and played in the Channel 4 's Rockers Roadshow. In addition, Pre -Wax released the vinyl record " Maggie's Letter" with the help of producer Papa P., who was a regional success.
When Derek Nelson, producer of Ebony BBC2, Macka B discovered, he committed it directly for regular appearances in the next shipments.
Macka B worked the whole time along with the Wassifa sound system, mainly Birmingham, Skippy and Lippy. After a few tapes Fashion Records became aware of Macka B and they invited him to shoot. "Bible Reader " was released and was fairly successful in the reggae singles chart.
After meeting with Mad Professor Macka B came with the label Ariwa under contract and took the LP " Sign of the Times", which took # 1 in the reggae LP charts. It was commissioned by Channel 4 and Club Mix 1986 at Sunsplash in Wembley Arena and launched a European tour. His second album, " We've Had Enough" published Macka B in the year 1987. 1988 he again visited Jamaica and took "Love it in Jamaica" and " Slow Down Driver" for the Black Scorpio label and "Looks are Deceiving " for Ariwa on.
In 1989 he released the LP " Buppie Culture", which contained the single " Dread a who she love", a duet with Kofi, the No. 1 was in the reggae singles charts again. In 1990, he celebrated with the single " Proud of Mandela " the liberation of Nelson Mandela, who later appeared on the album "Natural Suntan ." Macka B was then the first British reggae artist who went on tour in Australia.
In the 1990s, Macka B recorded eight more albums for Ariwa and also continued to work with other artists and labels. Macka B has occurred twice on the Reggae Sunsplash and Sting on the White River Reggae Bash & in Jamaica. He has toured his career as Japan, America, Botswana, Hawaii, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Spain and Poland in the course.
Macka B was the first reggae artist who has toured by the former Yugoslavia ( Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia).