Area Code 876 is a sound system from Jamaica that is making major strides in
the music business both in Jamaica and internationally. This group of highly
talented and to the ladies, highly attractive young men has been pleasing party-
goers both in Jamaica and internationally since established in 2004. Area Code
has already played for audiences in various parts of the U.S, Europe & the Caribbean and indicate that they hope to visit Japan and other exotic locations, bringing their vision of ‘a new look and attitude for sound systems’ to the rest of the world.
Area Code, Eight – Seven- Six have the ‘business fix’, as the members of Area Code, pride themselves on their versatility and showmanship. Area Code delivers quality professional entertainment in style; the crew is also known for their fashion sense and usually ‘bazzle’ when entertaining. It is therefore not surprising that Area Code’s fan base is mostly women, regardless of where in the world they are performing.
Recently in 2006 the group strikes a deal with Fusion Wear clothing line. Fusion Wear is a Jamaican own apparel and entertainment company. The Area Code family can be seen sporting the gears at every appearance.
The selectors, ‘Too Sweet’, ‘Fire Blacks’ ,’Dj Kevin',' Dujon' and ‘Geldin’ ,originally from other sound systems in Jamaica , make a highly effective combination in the delivery of the Area Code ‘experience’… they deliver a ‘good time’. The selectors or disc jockeys of Area Code have a broad flair for various musical genre’s and while they mostly play reggae and dancehall music, they are able to creatively delivery a wide variety of other genres including Soca/ Calypso. Each selector in Area Code is known for his particular style of delivery and they feel that the combination of their musical ‘personalities’ give the ‘little extra’ to the Area Code experience.
Area Code brings Jamaica wherever and whenever they perform and the group colors, black, green and gold are representative of the pride that they feel in being 100% Jamaican. Area Code 876 delivers the ultimate Jamaican party experience both in the music they deliver and the Jamaican dances that they readily share, especially with foreign audiences. This has provided an avenue through which Area Code 876 to establish connections with any audience and has helped to secure large followings when they perform, both locally and internationally. Area Code 876 has also been endorsed by various Jamaican artistes including Sizzla, Gyptian, Luciano and a number of other top Jamaican performers.
Area Code exudes energy, vision and dynamic that allows them to deliver a unique and quality product that is only likely to continue to grow and develop with time. The members of Area Code 876 are dedicated to the improvement and upliftment of Jamaican music and this makes them, a Jamaican sound system that is truly ‘large a yaad and large abraad’.
Pon Di Beach an Area Code weekly juggling event has been pulling record number of hungry Partygoers who feast on the music of Area Code 876 and the Seafood from Prendy’s on the beach. This event has already been added to Jamaica’s must visit spots to both partygoers and visitors to the Island.
Area Code 876 not just another Sound System but one with vision towards helping to build a better Jamaica. For the school year of September 2006 they have already put in place a Scholarship Fund for a gifted student in the Jamaica Primary School education system who is seeking to attend High School but their parent(s) is below the minimum wage earning and has to be either a Portmore or Spanish Town resident. This has met the approval from the Mayor of Portmore Hon. George Lee. It’s the belief of the Area Code family that an educated Jamaican helps to build a more productive Jamaica.
In the meantime a one of a kind state of the art Sound System is schedule to be ready for frontline duty by late September 2006. There will be a new dawn in the Sound System arena.
Area Code Official Myspace - click here
Position: Owner/ Dj / Entertainer.
Zodiac: Aquarius, Birthdate February 10th.
Fav Food: Steam Seafood with crackers and ockra.No fish ha,ha,ha.
Future Goals: Keep breaking down barriers and be the first to collect a Grammy for Sound System.
Too Sweet is one of the more experienced Dj's on the Sound. He Started playing music professionally at the tender age of twelve.Back then they had to put him on drinks crate so that the crowd could see him.During this time he managed to balance the music while attending to his studies at Kingston College High School.This was of course oblivious to both parents.After leaving High School He continued his studies at then name C.A.S.T. now name University of Technology and was still balancing the music.Eventually he gave everything up for music while working as Manager for Jamaica Trading Services ltd.At this point in his music career he did five years as a memeber on Bass Odyssey Sound.He went on to play several Sounds during his illustrious career.
Aways the entertainer Too Sweet can be seen Dancing up a storm while using witty remarks to the audience. It would seem that this talented individual favours a more one on one approach with his fans.Being apart of Dancehall's Hystory hasn't change much of this cool.calm and collective individual.For someone who is credited as been the lone survivour of Musical Twins who in the eighties were the originator of the duo of one man mixing while the other Mc's. He's also credited for his contribution in the Dancehall Fad of selectors dancing and performing on stage for the fans on the international scene.He has also won the coveted Selector of the Year title twice.
To his credit,Too Sweet has performed across the U.S.A,Canada.Europe and the Caribbean.Always the performer it's no wonder why this dapperly dressed and interractive young man has won fans the world over.Now after playing Sound Systems for other sound owner to which he shows maximum respect for they all helped to shape his career.''It's just a joy to finally own mi own ting.'' He has nothing but high praise for his other Business partners and the entire crew.On the sound he plays a major part in being a motivator and wants nothing short of the best from the crew and himself.
With the love of God and His richest blessings along with the support of the Fans there is no limits to the potential of this young man nor the Company he represents.One gets the feeling while talking to him that he is a lot wiser than he appears.When not performing he simply go back to been Michael.Just a quite.laid back and approachable individual. He shares a simple motto ''There are no limits to greatness only if you allow your mind to decieve you that there is."
Too Sweet Official Myspace - click here
Position : Owner/ Dj/ Studio Engineer
Dj Kevin Brings to Area Code 876 over Twelve Years experience in the Music Biz.Kevin started playing from the tender age of Twelve on a friend Sound in Portmore named Apollo Disco.It was here that he got tutoring By his mentor Jiggy,Cleon and Too Sweet.He learned to play all Genre of Music from this early age.He was left on his own a lot to play at various Weddings, Barbecues and House Parties.All the time he was still managing playing music while studying as he was still in attendance at The Bridgeport High School in Portmore,
It was while still in High School when he was dubbed the youngest Selector in the Biz as he had already played on Bass Odyssey.At age fifteen he later started to play Rebel-t Sound but was not hired full time until he became eighteen.After Graduating High School and started University of Technology Kevin balanced playing the Sound,working on the Radio Station (Fame FM) with Rosamond Brown on Fridays after which He Became Jenny Jenny's right hand mixer an Radio2. Before reaching 21 Kevin had already made a name for himself as one of the most promising Dj in the Dance hall World.Now at 24 he's second to none as he can be seen matching his skills with the best of them Internationally.
So far Kevin has played across Jamaica and toured extensively across the U.S.A,Canada,Europe and the Caribbean.Been popular hasn't changed this sometimes shy Gemini. He still remain humble,laid back and family oriented.He even still runs errands for his parents daily.It's the norm for him to be getting stuff for his Mom's Restaurant on a Daily Basis as long as He's in Jamaica.
Kevin thinks that it was ordain for him and his High School best friends to be in the music biz together."Is Jus a Joy fi me and Geldin,Taj and mi cousin Dujon to be playing a Sound together"."Along with longtime best friend (Bredda) Too Sweet.
He humbly accepts the fact that he was one of the pioneers who brought the Final Scratch Technology to the Jamaican Dance hall world.Final Scratch is the use of storing music on a laptop program by the Stanton Company and source it to either your turntables or Cd players. At first it receive a "Fire Bunning" from other Dj's who were stuck in the old fashion way who already had a hard time accepting Cd players much less.Now it's becoming one of the fastest growing trend with most International Dj's who can;t be bothered with struggling with record boxes or Cd pouches.
Dj Kevin Official Myspace - click here
Position: Dj /Studio Engineer
Dj Dujon "DI juggla" as he's popular known is one of Dancehall most promising new mixers.He takes no prisoners when keeping a party hype.He isn't afraid of competition either.Taught by his cousin Dj Kevin and groomed during his time on Bass Odyssey alongside partner in music Geldin. This soft spoken Young man is definitely not to be taken lightly. Dujon started to play music over a decade ago while still in High School.During which time he also played on the Jamaica National under 21 Soccer team.His football training help to groom his work ethics and professionalism. This is obvious in his work as he always prepare his tools before taking on a event.Prior to Area Code 876 Dujon played other Sound Systems in Jamaica like Apollo Disco,Jam rock and Bass Odyssey. While on Bass Odyssey he won several clashes along with Geldin across Jamaica.Most memorable to note is that he won a major clash in Guyana, doing it solo.
Dj Dujon to the public seems like a very quite individual.To his Area Code family he's that secret weapon.Believe it or not he creates a lot of the speeches behind the scene that are spoken by the Mc's.One only has to spend a little time with him to realise that he has a very smart mouth.He could put you in stitches laughing at any individual that gets this wrath.Competition always seems to bring out his best as he love a little rivalry.
Dujon no longer plays soccer professionally and thus dedicates his entire intrest to his music and his family.It's no wonder he spends so much time in the Area Code studio mixing ,creating the latest remixes and arranging dub plates along with cousin and stable mate Dj Kevin.
A very promising Dj for the Reggae music industry who can only get better and at such a young age only time will tell what type of mark he'll leave on the industry.
Position: Dj/ Entertainer
Geldin, Dance Hall newest element of surprise is destine to leave a mark on the Industry.This Charismatic,energetic and witty young man has the Music Biz talking. Geldin started playing music in High School with his Best friends Dj Kevin and Taj.Oblivious to their parents and school principal they would host weekly fetes in one of the class rooms. While they used their parents component set entertain their little fans who would cover for them.Back in those days Geldin was a young member of Apollo Disco a Portmore Sound System Along with Too Sweet,Dj Kevin,Dj Dujon and Jiggy.It was here that he got tutoring from his mentor Too Sweet and Jiggy.The grooming he received helped to land him a job on world famous Bass Odyssey.
Since becoming a part of Area Code 876 from it's inception,Geldin has become a Household name in Portmore,Spanish Town and many places across Jamaica.Coming to Area Code was a dream come through to be united with his best friend,his mentor and partner in music and to finally be on the same sound once again.
The ladies go in a frenzy at the witty comments and antics of Geldin.He certainly isn't afraid to challenge them on the dance floor.On any giving night he can be seen gyrating on top of a female.At first glance it would be hard to believe that this shy looking individual could turn into Mr Entertainment himself. Once there is a Mic. in his hand all reservation is out the door.Away from the music he can be seen just chilling and some what reserved. I guess it isn't strange to say that he actually is the only one still managing a nine to five as his other stable mates have fully dedicated to their music career.He presently still works at Catherine Peak Spring water Bottling Company as a senior Engineer.
Sky the limit for this young man and great things are expected from him especially by his mentor Too Sweet to which they both share a mutual respect. Geldin is still a family oriented person who loves his Mom so much that you can see her name on his flashy red Honda "Sonia Boy."
Position: Local and Caribbean Manager.
Father Tee as he's more popularly known is the overseer for all Area Code Business and affairs both in Jamaica and the Caribbean. His job is to ensure the smooth and professional running of the business. He came to Area Code with over five years experience in Artist Management. He landed the position through the mutual friendship with the crew. He was just doing a favor until the crew felt comfortable with the way he conducted business and it was decided by all parties that he was the perfect man for the job.
Both a business and a family man, Father Tee is a laid back individual who strives for excellence in all his endeavors'. His plans for the group and the business are nothing short of genius and he plans to leave a definite mark on the music industry.
Position : Owner/ Dj
Fire Blacks started playing music over fifteen years ago.His Father Dice is the proud owner of Physical Disco a Legend in the Rae Town Community.It was on his Dad Sound that he learned to Play music. People would flock to their yard where they kept weekly sessions to see Dice's little son Bussing the Place.Fire Blacks continue to pursue his career in music on Sounds like Heat Wave,Megamus and Rebel-T,to name a few.
Known for his witty comments and hype performances it's no wonder he is so popular with the females (who get in stitches) and the Males buss blanks everytime he entertains his audience.Fire Blacks has been winning over fans Across Jamaica and the international scene.He has thus far Toured the U.S.A,Canada,Europe and the Caribbean.Sometimes the one man band as Blacks is very good at working solo.
Always the perfectionest he sets high standards for his self and his co.workers.Since owning his own Sound his drive for excellence has become even greater. Blacks is also good friends with several ace Entertainers like Buju Banton,Ward 21,Ricky General,Gyptian,Bascom X, New Kidz to name a few.
On a next note Fire Blacks is also a family man and the bread winner.No matter where he Tours worlwide he's always looking out for his family.A kind laid back and humble individual who is very approachable from the smallest man on the street to the Executive in the Business Firm.Blacks is a young man who can toe the line with his witts and intelligence.A very verball person who definetly speaks his mind always.
Fire Blacks Official Myspace - click here
Position: Assistant Manager (Jamaica)
Taj (Mr Smooth talker) is the ladies man and a people person.He's known to have a level head and capable of winning over anyone with his easy going but confident personality.Along with DJ Kevin and Geldin He's the last link in the trio of best friends from their Bridgeport High School attendance in Portmore Jamaica. Since been invited to Area Code 876 at it's inception his leadership qualities which were obvious from his high school days have became even more evident.Back in High School Taj was always organizing Fetes,Barbecues and House Parties.'The Man with the links" as he's most popularly known is always seen mingling with the Uptown party elites.This has thus far helped to give Area Code 876 that extra edge in bridging the gap between Hard core Dancehall and Uptown parties.
Though he's the understudy to Tito Fuller,you could hardly tell.As Taj is very instrumental in the marketing appeal and visibility of the Sound System and it's Crew.Taj is someone who all the D's feel comfortable to view and opinions.His young fresh mind is equiped to take this group of talented musicians way into the new Genre of music and entertainment.He's destine to be a force to reckon with.