Colin Levy (Iley Dread)
<p>Born in Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica, Iley grew up in the Chester Castle area of Hanover, where he attended primary school and secondary school, namely Knockalva. He was forced to leave school at the age 16 as the demands for his paintings increased, which promoted him to move to a more lucrative area, namely Negril, wherein he would be able to help his father in his cook shop and do his arts. As Iley says <em>“painting was my vision, but I also got the inspiration to write songs as early as age nine”.</em> He would entertain his family and friends by singing.
<p>At age 18, he rented a place called “Why Not”, a restaurant and lounge in Negril. The venture became very successful for Iley, and soon after he was able to purchase the property. This business he later rented on his migration to Canada in 1990. Iley departed Jamaica for Canada to live with his relatives and to help his brother who also had a restaurant in Montreal and needed his help in managing the restaurant. This restaurant was called Rainbow Ites, which now hosts all the reggae concerts that Iley Dread takes to Montreal, and renamed Rainbow Concert Hall.
<p>Still writing songs and performing locally in Canada, Iley produced his first concert at the Rainbow Ites in 1992, then a very small place. During this period his concerts consisted of local acts, namely Jah Cutter, and Jah Children Band. His first recording came by way of Bevin Jackson, of Bulleyes Recording Label, who recorded 5 songs with Iley Dread, the first of these songs <em>“Flowers Of My Garden”.</em> Iley was encouraged by Jackson to start his own production. He took his friends advice; the birth of Kings of Kings was now a reality and happened in 1995. Sadly, his friend later died in 1996 from a traffic accident.
<p>Since '95, Iley has spent most of his time producing other artists and concerts, the likes of <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=305">Buju Banton</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=197">Michael Rose</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=60">Gregory Isaacs</a>, <a href="artistDetail.jsp?aid=310">Capleton </a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=287">Beenie Man</a>, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=475">Norris Man</a>, Chrisinti, <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/artistDetail.jsp?aid=1231">Glen Washington</a>, (the late) <a href="artistDetail.jsp?aid=59">Dennis Brown </a> , and many others. He has released many songs, distributed by <a href="http://www.bigupradio.com/labelDetail.jsp?lid=66">VP Records</a> US, <a href="labelDetail.jsp?lid=432">Jet Star </a> UK, Nuff Entertainment Canada, and of course Kings of Kings. <br>