Manley Augustus Buchanan (born 19 April 1949, Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica), better known as Big Youth (sometimes called Jah Youth), is a Jamaican deejay, mostly known for his work during the 1970s.

He commented, "Deejays were closest to the people because there wasn't any kind of establishment control on the sound systems".

Biography

Early career

Before beginning his musical career, Buchanan worked as a diesel mechanic at Kingston's Sheraton Hotel, where he would develop his toasting skills while he worked, and was nicknamed "Big Youth" by his co-workers. This became his first Jamaican number one hit, Around this time, he also notched up some achievements in the singles chart, having seven singles in the chart at one time, and having four singles remain in the top 20 for an entire year. This was helpful, as new young DJs such as Trinity and Clint Eastwood were appearing on the scene, and Big Youth's chanting style was becoming less fashionable.

He signed to Virgin Records' Frontline label in 1977, his first release on the label being the Isaiah First Prophet of Old album,

Discography

thumb|Big Youth performing in 2010.

  • Chi Chi Run – Fab 1972 (feat. Big Youth on four out of eleven tracks)
  • Screaming Target – Trojan 1973
  • Reggae Phenomenon – Augustus Buchanen 1974
  • Dreadlocks Dread – Klick 1975
  • Cool Breeze – Ride Like Lightning – The Best of Big Youth 1972–1976
  • Natty Cultural Dread – Trojan 1976
  • Hit the Road Jack – Trojan 1976
  • Reggae Gi Dem Dub – Nicola Delita 1978
  • Isaiah First Prophet of Old – Nicola Delita, Caroline Records 1978
  • Progress – Nicola Delita 1979
  • Everyday Skank (The Best of Big Youth) – Trojan TRLS 189 1980
  • Rock Holy – Negusa Negast 1980
  • Some Great Big Youth – Heartbeat 1981
  • Chanting Dread Inna Fine Style – Heartbeat 1982
  • Live at Reggae Sunsplash – Genes 1983
  • A Luta Continua – Heartbeat 1985
  • Manifestation – Heartbeat 1988
  • Jamming in the House of Dread – Danceteria 1991
  • Higher Grounds – JR, VP Records 1995
  • Save the Children – Declic 1995
  • Natty Universal Dread 1973–1979 – Blood & Fire 2000
  • Musicology – Steven Stanley's studios (Tuff Gong) 2006
  • No Jestering – Strictly Sensi Music (with Sista Sensi) 2016
  • Beyond The Blue – Jarring Effects (with Brain Damage) 2021

References

  • Big Youth at Roots Archives
  • BBC profile
  • Big Youth on french site

;Articles

  • Big Youth interview at IReggae