WOMAD

Quality Diamond

From Jamaica

Diamond has released two singles on London-based dancehall label, Scandal Bag. The first, Sunshine, was an underground hit in summer 2004, and received considerable airplay on London pirate radio stations. The second, Let It Billie, was released in 2005 and produced by American ragga jungle artist DJ C (Mashit Records), and featured a dancehall and a jungle version. This release saw Diamond really raise his profile, with heavy radio play on Radio 1 (Steve Lamacq and Rob Da Bank) as well as Kiss FM, Choice FM, Resonance FM and more - plus glowing press reviews including I-DJ magazine.Diamond has performed all over the UK, supporting the likes of Beenie Man and Capleton as well as playing with English reggae/dancehall soundsystems such as Qualitex, Heatwave, Vinyl Star and more. He's appeared at several big clubs in London such as Rhythm Factory, 333, Cargo and Departure.Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Quality Diamond began MCing as a youth, learning his craft on the capital’s beaches, street corners and dancehalls. Honing his skills in this competitive atmosphere, participating in impromptu battles and off-the-cuff combinations pushed him to point where a full-time musical career beckoned. Diamond moved to the UK in 1996 and soon after his arrival was selected in a studio audition to support UK dancehall pioneer Asher Senator at the Hackney Empire. The young MC made a lasting impression and was given the opportunity to continue working with Asher and other artists in London. However, Diamond elected to take time out to pursue his academic goals - just as, back in Kingston, he had chosen to stay at college while contemporaries pursued the short term rewards offered by early signing and exposure.Since then Diamond has applied himself to his studies, but has continued to write, record and perform music in his spare time. His belief in the importance of education sets him apart from those who see music as the easy, undemanding option and has laid rock solid foundations for his career. Like he says, at any given opportunity, ‘knowledge is power’.Diamond has voiced soundsystem specials in Jamaica, Trinidad, London, Bristol and Leeds. He’s collaborated with Sizzla (on a combination called Everbless), Eek-a-Mouse, Sugar Minott and UK dancehall artist Blackout JA. He’s also worked with South London’s finest producers Blacker Dread and Starr Gate and hotly-tipped Bristol maestro Mixmaster M. Diamond’s 2004 single Sunshine on London label Scandal Bag is enjoyed heavy rotation on the radio and in the dancehalls. The follow-up, Let It Billie, is taking Diamond's name and reputation even further, garnering multiple plays on Radio 1 and club support from the likes of DJ Yoda ("such a great track"), The Bug ("wicked!") and 100% Dynamite ("it goes down a storm").He has also proved his versatility by voicing hip hop/r’n’b, jungle and even house tunes demonstrating that, whatever the sound, he’s got the style and pattern and flow.On stage Diamond is an electric performer and has lit up audiences all over Jamaica and England, including Kingston’s #1 nightspot The Asylum, London’s Hackney Empire and Brixton’s Mass. He recently supported Beenie Man and Capleton on their UK tours. Wherever he’s on the mic, it’s all about enjoyment and pleasure in the dancehall.