Walshy Fire
Leighton Walsh (born November 25, 1982) is a Miami, Florida-based Jamaican American DJ, record producer and rapper better known by his stage name Walshy Fire who along with Jillionaire is part of the dancehall reggae-influenced group Major Lazer founded by EDM producer and DJ Diplo.[1] Walshy Fire toured with the Black Chiney sound system beginning in 2004. Black Chiney is cited as a significant influence on the evolution of Major Lazer with its mash ups that blend hip hop or R&B rhythms with reggae & R&B artist vocal tracks and its representation of the Jamaican sound system.[2] The subsequent mix tapes that the Black Chiney collective of DJ's, engineers and MC's would develop were the training ground for Walshy to become a remix producer.
Early life
Walsh was born and raised in Carol City, Florida in a Chinese-Jamaican family.[3][4][n 1] He attended North Miami Beach High School.[4]
Musical influences
Walshy Fire has been influenced by reggae and dancehall traditions. In 2013, he said: "my sole purpose with this Major Lazer thing is to bring back some glory and international exposure [for] reggae and dancehall."[4] His favorite reggae riddim is "The Answer" by the iconic producer Coxsone Dodd.[5]
Major Lazer
Since 2012, Walshy Fire has presided as master of ceremonies for Major Lazer. In 2013, he described his role as follows:
Basically, [Diplo] is the selector and I'm the MC. He's the one that picks the records and mixes the records and I'm the one that's out front and presents the records to people, makes speeches that makes the records make sense, and pulls up the records. I give the crowd humor when it's time to give them humor, emotion when it's time to give them emotion, and just keep the whole vibe intense throughout the whole set.[4]
He's contributed to the production of two Major Lazer releases: APOCALYPSE SOON and Peace is the Mission.[6] In the latter album, he cowrote the Chronixx song “Blaze Up The Fire” and lent his vocals to “Too Original”. Walshy Fire along with Diplo & Jillionaire host the Major Lazer Lazer Sound program on Apple Music's Beats 1. With Major Lazer Walshy Fire has collaborated with artists from a variety of genres maintaining a commitment to cultural authenticity and in particular with regard to Caribbean music subgenres.[7]
On March 6, 2016, Major Lazer made the first appearance by a major American pop group in Cuba since the reinstatement of diplomatic relations.[8]
One year after the release of Peace is the Mission, Major Lazer announced the planned release of a new song with Justin Bieber and MØ entitled "Cold Water" which will be the lead track to the next Major Lazer album. This is a follow up to "Lean On" which featured MØ and has been played 149 million times via Major Lazer’s SoundCloud and its official music video which has received 1.4 billion YouTube views.[9]
Walshy Fire Presents
Walshy Fire launched a label in 2015 with its roots in Jamaica’s sound system culture,[10] and extending into other genres including hip-hop. Work with Caribbean artists and the presentation of the various subgenres of their music styles to wider audiences[11] through live sets, pre-recorded mixes and broadcast music programs has fueled the Walshy Fire Presents label concept.[12]
Additional Work
As a solo DJ,[13] Walshy Fire has held residencies in several South Beach Miami clubs over the years and continues to tour globally as a solo DJ performing sets with mashups from multiple genres including reggae dancehall, roots reggae, soca, house, bass, moombahton, Latin, Afrobeat, hip-hop and old school R&B presented by MC commentary that sets up the songs for the listener.[14]
Discography
Singles
- Machet - Naturally (Walshy Fire Presents 2016)
- Raekwon & Kabaka Pyramid - Be Inspired (Walshy Fire Presents 2016)
- Kelissa & Keznamdi - Live For Today (Walshy Fire Presents 2015)
Albums
EPs
- Confessional Riddim EP (Walshy Fire Presents 2015)
- Apocalypse Soon EP (2014) (as Major Lazer)
Television
- Noisey Jamaica II VICE 6 episode documentary, Host & Presenter
Notes
- ^ One dissenting source says he was born in Kingston.(Bein, Kat (30 June 2013). "Major Lazer's Walshy Fire Advises "Dress for the Mess" at Mad Decent Block Party". Broward-Palm Beach New Times. Retrieved 2016-06-01.)
References
- ^ "Meet The Man Who's Making Your Kids Go Wild". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
- ^ "LargeUp Interview: Q+A with Walshy Fire - LargeUp". LargeUp. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
- ^ Liu, Marian. "Kicking 'Bubble Butt' and taking names". SouthFlorida.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
- ^ a b c d Serwer, Jesse (2013-03-24). "Major Lazer's Walshy Fire on Most EDM Stars: "These Guys Aren't DJing"". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
- ^ Katel, Jacob (2013-08-14). "Major Lazer's Walshy Fire Breaks Down Twerking". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
- ^ "Major Lazer's Walshy Fire Dives Deep on Influences for 'Peace Is the Mission' | SPIN". Spin. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
- ^ "Walshy Fire continues the work". jamaica-gleaner.com. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ Coscarelli, Joe (2016-03-07). "Diplo and Major Lazer Bring Their Brand of Music to Cuba". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/sites/garysuarez/2016/05/31/major-lazer-justin-bieber/#518f60b42454
- ^ "Interview: Talking about style and musical influence with Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire". www.acclaimmag.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
- ^ "Watch Full Episodes Online of Beat Making Lab on PBS | #FijiChallenge w/ Walshy Fire of Major Lazer". PBS. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Major Lazer's Walshy Fire teams up with Kelissa, Keznamdi". jamaica-gleaner.com. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Walshy on fire - Entertainment". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ^ "Life Is Beautiful 2015: Walshy Fire & Jillionaire Get Bromantic". Vibe. Retrieved 2016-02-05.