Starkey Banton aka Starkey Super (born David Murray, 15 November 1962) is a British reggae deejay known for his "cultural" lyrics, active since the mid-1970s.
Born in Hammersmith, London, in 1962, Murray began performing in the mid-1970s under the name Starkey Super on the London sound system circuit. He changed his stage name to Starkey Banton ("Banton" meaning a deejay full of lyrics) in response to the popularity of several other performers using the Banton name. His debut single, "Lover Dread", was released in 1993, bucking the trend for slackness. This was followed by "Blackman Memories" and "Ganja Baby".
In 1994 he worked with the One Love crew, who released his "Wicked Man" single, the popularity of which led to combination hits with Sweetie Irie and Horace Andy, and an appearance at the 1995 Reggae Sunsplash festival. His 1995 riposte to the Jungle music phenomenon, "Jungle Bungle" ("One bag a noise and a whole heap a sample, That's something my ear holes can't handle!"), was hugely popular among Britain's urban audience.
Links to Peel[]
Peel first played Starky Banton's material in the spring of 1997 and would play further records of the singer until 1998. There is no evidence according to available tracklistings on this site that Peel played Starkey's music after 1998.
Shows Played[]
- 15 February 1997: I & I Saw Dem Coming (split 10" with Dub Organiser) Dub Organiser
- February 1997 (FSK): I & I Saw Dem Coming (shared 10" with Dub Organiser - I & I Saw Dem Coming) Dub Organiser
- 29 May 1997: Weeping & Wailing (split 12" with Dub Organiser - Weeping & Wailing / Rastaman Chant) Dub Organiser
- 24 July 1997: Weeping And Wailing (shared 10" with Dub Organiser - Weeping & Wailing / Rastaman Chant) Dub Organiser
- 31 July 1997: Weeping & Wailing (10 inch single) Fashion
- 07 August 1997 (BFBS): 'Weeping And Wailing (10 inch)' (Fashion)
- 12 August 1997: Weeping and Wailing (10 inch) Fashion
- 15 August 1997 (BBC World Service): Weeping & Wailing (shared 10" with Dub Organiser - Weeping & Wailing / Rastaman Chant) Dub Organiser
- 21 August 1997 (BFBS): 'Weeping & Wailing (shared 10" with Dub Organiser)' (Dub Organiser)
- 26 August 1997: Weeping and Wailing (10") Fashion
- 28 August 1997 (Radio Eins): Weeping and Wailing (10") Fashion
- 14 October 1997: Love King Selassie (album - Powers Youth) Fashion
- 15 October 1997: Dub Selassie (LP - Powers Youth) Fashion
- 04 November 1997: ‘I And I Saw Them Coming (LP – Powers Youth)’ Fashion
- 12 November 1997: Nah Badda Dub (LP - Powers Youth) Fashion
- 23 December 1997: 'Weeping & Wailing (12 inch-Rastaman Chant)' (Fashion)
- 1998
- 15 September 1998: Anti-Christ Picture (7") Fashion