Capitol Dub: I Grade Dubs “The System” in DC

Words by Kaya.lah
Photo by Martei Korley

The list of those who have every piece of instrument, chorus, or verse they have ever produced ready to mix at their disposal for an entire evening is probably pretty short. One person who can be counted on that list is the mighty Tippy I of the I Grade Records stable. Tippy has taken his live dub mixing project I-Grade Dub on the road, direct from St. Croix, landing at a recent session at Bossa Bistro in Washington DC, alongside MC/selector/writer Dutty Bookman.

In his hands at the session, which you can watch below, is some pre-released dub fyah, beginning with a combination track featuring international reggae star Pressure Busspipe and esteemed roots godfather Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite. LargeUp actually had the opportunity to catch the recording of “The System,” which you’ll be able to see in an upcoming episode of LargeUp TV, at Aqua Sounds studio in St. Croix. Until then (and the track’s proper release), Tippy provides a dub preview of “The System,” which was produced by the Zion I Kings and Vaughn Benjamin himself, who trades righteous lyrics back and forth with the young veteran, Pressure.

Next up, the producer/selector gives us a preview of three new selections on the Lion of Judah riddim dub mixed live in living color. These tracks will be appearing on Zion I Kings’ Riddim Series Vol. 4 slated for release next month.

Looks like some exciting things from the Virgin Islands’ current leaders in roots music production, and LargeUp will be there to keep you up to date. For more on Tippy and I Grade Dub, see our feature on this Crucian stalwart in our Virgin Islands Nice series here.