Reggae artist Mr. Williamz first performed at the tender age of eight, winning a clash for a local sound system in his London community. Fast forward to 2017, and Williamz (who is now based between England, Jamaica and the States) is still very much armed and dangerous. This time, he’s in a lyrical war with dancehall icon Pinchers on “Bad Like Me” a brand-new offering from the Green Lion Crew,with narration from Jamaican sound effects specialist, Joe Lickshot. The 52-year-old Pinchers hasn’t missed a beat- his signature soothing, melodic style rings out loud and clear on the chorus: “Bandelero no fear no one, You no bad like me!”
The official video for “Bad Like Me” is directed by Alex Frass and is an ode to old American Westerns, with Williamz as the Wild Apache, dueling lyrically with the energetic Pinchers as the Bandelero. American movies and music were wildly popular in Jamaica during the 1950’s and 60’s, especially Spaghetti Westerns, with their tough, gun-slinging cowboy heroes. Their influence spanned from the ska era (“Guns of Navarone” by the Skatalites) to the seminal film The Harder They Come and on through the 80s and 90s dancehall era, when the Outlaw Josey Wales ruled alongside the original Wild Apache, Supercat.
The Maine (USA)-based Green Lion Crew has paired with Mr. Williamz and a slew of special guest artists, including the aforementioned Pinchers, as well as Addis Pablo, Dean Fraser, Lone Ranger, Gappy Ranks, Joe Lickshot and more on Mr Williamz Meets Green Lion Crew- The General Comes to Town, released today on iTunes. Complete with five vocal versions, each with a corresponding dub “B-side,” this album has already received radio and sound system support from the likes of David Rodigan and Yaadcore.
Listen here, watch the video below and check out some behind-the-scenes shots from the video shoot from Varun Baker.
