Freddie McGregor Signs Deal With Warner Chappell Music

Big Ship boss Freddie McGregor has joined his son Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor at Warner Chappell Music, after signing his own worldwide publishing deal with the American company.  The deal covers the full catalogue of McGregor’s almost six-decade career, which spans the Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae genres.

Freddie, who has more than 40 albums to his name, is among the latest singer/songwriters to join forces with Warner Chappell, whose music’s catalogue consists of over 1.4 million compositions and 65,000 composers, with offices in more than 40 countries.

Two years ago, McGregor’s son, Di Genius, 31, signed a similar global co-publishing agreement with Warner Chappell.  The younger McGregor is best known for his work with Drake (Controlla), Shakira (Amarillo) and many others—after his 2006 breakout with Mavado’s Weh Dem Ah Do on his Red Bull and Guinness riddim.

McGregor, 65, who founded his Big Ship label in 1983, has produced songs for Dancehall icons Papa San, Lieutenant Stitchie and Tiger among others.

He said in a release, “I’m excited to be working with Guy and his team. With a new album in the works and the live scene coming out of hibernation, it seems like the right time to start writing a new chapter in my career. I want to connect with other writers and producers from around the world to keep inspiring me to make music that moves people.”

Guy Moot, co-chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music, also sang the praises of the I Was Born a Winner, who hails from Clarendon.

“Freddie is known as the ‘Captain of the Big Ship’ and with good reason. He’s been a pioneer in Reggae for decades, writing songs that have moved fans around the world, and is well known for being generous with his time and efforts for younger up-and-coming artists. We’re delighted that he’s signed with us and can’t wait to get to work on his incredible catalogue and new music,” he stated.

In addition, Shani Gonzales who is the head of international A&R and UK MD at Warner Chappell Music, said she was delighted to work with the Africa Here I Come artist, whom she described as a “pioneer in Reggae for decades, writing songs that have moved fans around the world”.

“With my Jamaican heritage, I grew up listening to Freddie’s music, so getting to publish him is literally a dream come true. It’s mind-blowing that his career spans almost his whole life, starting to perform at seven years old, and today he’s still adding to his amazing songbook,” she stated.

“Freddie is a true legend in the reggae scene, helping pioneer the sound, spreading reggae music worldwide and inspiring and supporting generations of artists. It’s a true privilege to work with him,” she added.

Freddie, who was nominated for the Best Reggae Grammy award in 2002, is currently working on a new album for which he recently released the single Don’t Tell Me No, in collaboration with Colombian reggae-fusion rock band Locos Por Juana, and Jah Is On My Mind, produced by UK-based Stingray Records.

Born on June 27, 1956, in Clarendon, his distinguished musical career started at the age of seven, singing harmonies with The Clarendonians, a local vocal duo comprising Ernest ‘Fitzroy’ Wilson and Peter Austin. He was nicknamed Little Freddie.

Among Freddie’s albums are Come on Over, and Rhythm So Nice which were released in 1983 and Across The Border in 1984.

He also released All in the Same Boat, Don’t Want To Be Lonely, High Times, Heart Is Willing , Rhythms of My Heart, Comin’ in Tough, Di Captain as well as True to My Roots in 2016.

His singles Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely which was released in and That Girl (Groovy Situation) which were released in 1987, were hots on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number nine and number 47 respectively.

As a child, Freddie was a part of The Clarendonians, one of Jamaica’s most successful Ska and early Reggae groups.  He was co-opted to the group after the suggestion was made by legendary record producer Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd of Studio One.   Freddie, it was said, was so tiny at the time, that he had to stand on a beer crate to reach the microphone.

Coxsone later paired McGregor with Ernest Wilson of The Clarendonians as ‘Fitzy and Freddy’ on the hit single Why Did You Do It I in 1966, which was Freddie’s first recording.