Rough dancehall singer Courtney Melody was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica and began singing from when he attended school. In his early teens he started to work on a local sound system called Black Spider. He started to make a name for himself when he joined the mighty Stereo One sound system, working alongside Lieutenant Stitchie, Ricky Stereo, Boy Blue, Wolfman and Daddy Freddy.

It was Stereo One who released his first 45, an awesome soundboy burial anthem called "Screechy Across The Border". This was a big sound system tune internationally, and was soon covered by Little Kirk, who also released a version of it on the Ruddy's label from New York.

Courtney then went to Winston Riley's Techniques label to voice "How Long Will Your Love Last" and "Exploiter". These were small hits, but his next effort "Bad Boy" in 1986 propelled this young singer into international dancehall stardom. Courtney Melody then became the hottest artist in reggae music, unleashing a volley of unstoppable dancehall sides such as "Ninja Mi Ninja" and "Tell Dem" for King Tubbys; "Modern Girl" for Robert French; "Put It Down" for Harry J; "Downpressor" for Prince Jazzbo; "Rootsman Corner" for Redman; and "Can't Get We Out" for King Jammys. Many of these tunes remain modern-day dancehall classics.

After experiencing a motorbike accident, Courtney was forced to take a long break from the business, and inevitably his popularity waned, as the fickle reggae public focussed more on the next generation of dancehall superstars like Sanchez , Wayne Wonder and also on the DJs who were to dominate the music throughout the next decade.

Little was heard from Courtney throughout the 1990s, with the exception of a superb single for Star Trail called "In The Street". Riding the "Baltimore" rhythm, this tune proved that Courtney really was a great singer, who given the opportunity and the right rhythm, still produce top quality reggae music.

The 1999 World Clash in New York was a landmark event for Courtney. Japanese sound system Mighty Crown brandished their dubplate special of "Ninja Mi Ninja" which mashed up the dance, helping the Japanese to take the trophy. Tapes of the clash went worldwide and soon every sound had to have their own specials from Courtney Melody. Suddenly his popularity rose and led to Courtney touring overseas and capitalising on his dancehall veteran status.

Courtney visited the Third Eye Studio in October 2001 for a dubplate session, and while here he voiced "Rebel", a brand new killer track produced by Rootsman.