Broadway

b. Dion Barnes, Bronx, New York, USA. Broadway originally rose to prominence as part of the hip-hop group Strictly Roots in the early 90s, who recorded for his own label Friends Connection. That group achieved its breakthrough in 1993 with the release of the single ‘Begs No Friends’, which featured guest appearances from Fat Joe Da Gangsta and Grand Puba. Barnes had grown up in the active hip-hop streets of the Bronx when Grandmaster Flash and DJ Kool Herc were still in their prime. The connection with Herc, the first to combine hip-hop with Jamaican styles, is instructive - as Broadway is the son of reggae great Sugar Minott. His easy, laconic delivery embraces both the Jamaican and Bronx traditions, and often sees him adopt patois lyrics. He also idolizes KRS-One, who rewarded him with membership of his Boogie Down Productions collective. His first solo single, ‘Must Get Paid’, was produced by KRS-One and released as part of the expanding Nervous Records hip-hop roster. ~ Rovi