| Meet the Icecrew DJs. This
mob has been making noise in Barbados since the early days of minibuses and
mixed tapes. It all started as a hobby in 1989, when the founding members,
brothers Rommel (Iceman) and Randy (Soljie) Edwards got their first exposure
to DJing in England during a summer vacation. They returned home and
abruptly realized that their newfound hobby was a bit more expensive than
initially expected. With parents unwilling to support this leisure pursuit,
they rummaged around for a second-hand tape deck, mixing board and two
turntables, and started producing and selling mixed tapes at school.
Harrison College would never be the same again; tapes were everywhere - in
many classrooms, and at all school events.
The squad really became a force to be reckoned with when they were joined
by Kerry (Digital) Clarke that year and then Sean (Ned) Farrell and Alvin
‘Keep Rockin’ Toppin, the year after. Word spread fast, and before long,
they made appearances and hosted many house parties and school fairs as “Icecrew”,
with a much later addition of a final member, Shawn Hart, known to all
simply as “Big Hart”.
Icecrew exploded onto many a scene, forming various alliances with local
and international DJs, sound systems, and artistes. They tasted their first
dose of fame when they dominated all events at the University of the West
Indies (Cave Hill) Campus making their mark on every flyer, radio station,
and sometimes even TV!
With some thrills come the spills however, and Icecrew’s experience was
no exception to the rule. Increased fame, bookings and most importantly,
revenue, meant that things had to be run as a business and no longer just as
a bunch of friends. Admittedly, no one was prepared, and the cracks formed
within the ranks eventually resulting in the departure of Alvin, Sean
Farrell, and Shawn Hart.Icecrew went underground for a short while
thereafter, but sprung back to life and welcomed Sean (Chammist) Bostic,
Shawn (Slim Man) Kinch and Junior (Danger) Best to the clique.
Once more the crew burst on to the music scene but with a much more acute
“sense of business”, so to speak. They also focused on what they were always
good at – OLD DUB! This earned them alliances with the BoomTribe DJs and
they soon became synonymous with all Boomtribe events. They also linked with
Stokely Murray of Liberty 98.1 FM and could be heard blasting all their old
tunes every Saturday night.
The group suffered a setback with the sudden death of Junior (Danger)
Best in 2005, but bounced back and is trodding on; may he rest in peace.The
crew is currently very busy - appearing at weekly gigs, both locally and
sometimes internationally, and they have recently embarked on another
venture: The Icecrew Studios – pioneered by Randy (Soljie) Edwards.
They produced their first soca CD compilation called “Stress Relief”
which hit airwaves and stores for Crop Over 2005 and features some of the
best local talent Barbados has to offer. Icecrew: The DJs, the Studio, the
Creed – coming very soon to a sub-woofer near you!
From: Barbados
Booking Info: (Rommel aka Ice Man) 246-230-0476 email: iceman@icecrew.com
or (Kerry aka Dr. Digital) 246-256-8236 email digital@icecrew.com |
