Rayvon

The musical career of Rayvon (born Bruce Brewster) really began when the young musician-turned-rap/reggae MC met fellow aspiring artist Shaggy in a New York recording studio. Eventually the two recorded the regional dancehall hit "Big Up" in 1992 which garnered serious industry and popular interest in the duo. Rayvon collaborated with Shaggy as the latter MC's star rose to enormous heights throughout the world. Rayvon proved to be a valuable collaborator and co-vocalist on Shaggy hits such as "Nice and Lovely" and "In the Summertime." The two artists performed together on a massively successful world tour in 1993 and soon the appetite for a Rayvon solo offering began to build. A veteran of New York's reggae scene, Rayvon was content to continue collaborating with Shaggy and producer Shaun "Sting International" Pizzonia on various projects and even had a hit single of his own with "No Guns, No Murder." Eventually, a deal with Virgin Records was inked and Rayvon released his one and only full-length solo record Hear My Cry. An accomplished record, this 1997 debut features fine production courtesy of Sting International and Funk Master Flex, among others, and guest appearances by Shaggy, Maxi Priest, and Rhonda Davis. Rayvon's delivery is smooth and soulful, his flowing rhymes consistently illuminate the MC's social consciousness and gentle but confident belief in humanity, positivity -- the mystery of love and life. After a few relatively quiet years, Rayvon teamed up with Shaggy for the number one single "Angel" and by 2001, the MC's career looked to finally be shooting to the heights that many observers always had predicted. Also in 2001, work began on My Bad, the much-anticipated full-length follow-up to Hear My Cry. ~ Vincent Jeffries