Prince Hammer

Biography

Prince Hammer was born Beris (sic) Simpson in Kingston, Jamaica, at the Kingston Jubilee Hospital. He grew up in the south part of Kingston. He first started deejaying for the Sound System Vee-Jay and cut his first 45 for Glen Brown in the mid seventies under his real name (or Berry Simpson). It might have been the single »Daughter A Whole Lotta Sugar Down Deh«, the b-side do Glen Brown's »Two Wedden Skank« (Downtown DT507). He then changed his name to Prince Hammer and soon enough he started producing himself. His first label was the Gold Cup label and the first singles issued on it was »King Of Kings« and »Addis Ababa« in 1977. It was Glen Brown that paid for his first productions. Clancy Eccles was the first person to put him on stage for live audience at the Gaity Theatre.

At this time he also set up a store, at Orange Street, called »Prince Hammer Records«. Prince Far I who needed a place to distribute his songs from asked Berris if they could join forces and he answered positive. Thus the store changed name to »Prince & Prince Records«. The store got closed after one and a half to two years later.

Prince Hammer also featured in the classic cult movie Rockers in 1978. After seeing Prince Hammer approaching Randy's Records the producer of the movie was apparently so impressed of his walk that he contacted him and offered him a part in the movie solely based on that.

In 1979 Berris went on a tour in England with Prince Far I and Bim Sherman. The same year he also produced a classic set for Rod Taylor - »If Jah Should Come Now«. Following his move to England he worked with groups such as UB40, The Clash, the Boomtown Rats and the Slits. In 1982 he produced and featured on the various artist album »Africa Iron Gate Showcase«.

Labels owned by Prince Hammer

Prince Hammer favored naming his labels after women »because I'm so lucky with women names as labels...« (from Peter I's interview)

• Gold Cup (started in 1978)
• Belva
• Baby Mother
• Miss Pat Walker
• Melinda

Sources & Links

Interview from Ray Hurford's Small Axe Files; Small Axe Files #18 (unreleased)

Interview by Peter I from Reggae-Vibes.com; Life's Trials & Tribulations