Selector’s Spotlight

MASSIVE B'S JABBA GETS AROUND

A few weeks ago we had one half of the Massive B tandem, Bobby Konders, on Nowadayzdancehall.com for an interview. This week we feature the other half, Jabba, for another spotlight session focused on another one of the more influential selectors of NYC.

Jabba has been a trailblazer in the reggae scene for over a decade now, he is one of those responsible for getting the dancehall reggae genre to the heights it has reached. Jabba started out as a freelance DJ/Selector some 17 years ago. He worked in the New Look Records shop and he joined up with Bobby Konders around 1990 and started accompanying him to the dances. Jabba and Bobby’s personalities meshed quite easily and an explosive duo was formed. “Massive B” was there official sound name and Jabba was no longer a lone selector.

Jabba fine-tuned his skills in the Golden Pavilion and at the Tilden Ballroom. What is now called “Fire Sundays” started out at the Original Ark which was located where the parking lot of a Sears on Bedford Ave between Tilden and Beverly Rd now exists, in Flatbush The weekly event had migrated to Culture Club on Utica Avenue after the Ark closed, then on to Caribbean City on Empire Blvd., and then to The City night club. For now “Fire Sundays” is back strong at Caribbean City. Jabba says half-seriously, “I have not slept in 12 years,” but he does find time for himself. “If you don’t take care of yourself, you will drop down,” he states.

According to Jabba, “I started to realize this was a real career path when the bookings just kept coming”. Currently you can find Jabba on MTV Tempo as a VJ, on the “Jabba Hour” on 93.5, and he is notorious at Hot 97 where he and Bobby Konders get down for their crown every Sunday night at 10pm.

“Click To Listen To Jabba Interview”

Story By Mistah Shakes

More Interviews...
11/16/07	MASSIVE B'S JABBA GETS AROUND
10/19/07	SQUEEZING UP THE WORLD!
10/12/07	Why Bobby Konders Is A Dancehall Legend
10/05/07	Banky On The Edge
09/28/07	Nowadayzdancehall Gets Bruk-Up
09/21/07	Stainless Sound -- Ready For The World
05/15/06	Freaky Times : The Uncle Luke Interview
05/01/06	Baby Cham : On The Corner With Baby Cham
03/07/06	Tanto Metro & Devonte : Keep Them Talking
03/05/06	LeftSide & Esco : Opening The Door
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