Carl Meeks

Meeks first gained momentum after placing second in Kingston’s Taste talent contest, a breakthrough that pushed him further toward recording. A key early boost came through photographer George Lemon, who backed his work and helped finance sessions that led to the Photographer label. That period produced the songs that remain most closely associated with him, including “Haul and Pull Up Selector,” “Born and Grow Ya,” “We Rule Dance Hall,” and “Raw Born Rub a Dub,” later gathered on the Jackmandora album. His sound found an audience in Jamaica and beyond, with “Haul and Pull Up Selector” reportedly reaching number one in Trinidad.

He also linked up with producer Hugh “Red Man” James, cutting tracks such as “Weh Dem Fa,” “Youthman,” “Johnny,” and “Heard About My Love” with Daddy Lilly. Those recordings show what makes Meeks distinctive: a clean melodic line, a conversational flow, and a knack for balancing uplift with dancehall bite. He went on to work with a wide range of producers, including Steely & Clevie, Jack Scorpio, Gussie Clarke, Harry J, and Jammy’s, which helped keep his name active across different phases of reggae and dancehall.

Meeks’ reputation rests less on one giant crossover hit than on a steady body of work that captured a crucial moment in Jamaican music. He remains closely associated with the classic 1980s sound, but his catalog still speaks to listeners who value melody, sound system culture, and the bridge between roots reggae and early digital dancehall.