Leftside is the performing name of Craig Parks, a Jamaican
dancehall artist, deejay, producer and drummer whose work has
always moved between the studio, the sound system and the stage.
The son of veteran musician Lloyd Parks, he grew up around live
bands and recording sessions, which gave him an early feel for how
songs are built and why certain rhythms cut through. That
background shows up in his music: playful, sly and firmly rooted in
dancehall, but with the ear of someone who understands arrangement
and groove as much as performance.
Before settling into his own artist identity, Leftside was active
as a selector and musician in Kingston, and those years helped
shape the sharp, voice-driven style he later brought to his
recordings. He first made a wider impact with songs that leaned
into his cheeky persona and punchline-heavy writing, especially “No
STD” and the breakout “More Punanny,” which turned him into a
familiar name in Jamaican dancehall. From there, he kept moving
between novelty-driven party records and more deliberate production
work, building a catalogue that could sit comfortably beside club
tracks, street anthems and riddim projects.
What makes Leftside stand out is how many different roles he has
folded into one career. He is not only a vocalist, but also a
producer and label owner, and that combination has allowed him to
shape his own sound without relying on a single lane. Through Keep
Left Records, he developed music for younger acts while also
releasing his own material, including singles and riddim work that
kept his name circulating in dancehall circles. His output has
included tracks such as “Back It Up,” and later releases like
“Think A Joke,” which reflect the same mix of humour, attitude and
rhythm-first instincts that defined his early success.
Leftside’s career has never been about one fixed image. He has
worked as Mr. Evil, Leftside and Dr. Evil, shifting between aliases
while keeping the same mischievous energy intact. That flexibility
has helped him remain a recognizable figure in Jamaican music,
especially among listeners who appreciate dancehall that is witty,
direct and grounded in the culture of the studio. Whether he is
voicing a single, producing a riddim or pushing a new idea through
his label, Leftside has built his reputation on versatility and a
strong sense of personality.
