Biography

Nicodemus (b. Cecil Wellington, 1957, Jamaica) came to notoriety as a DJ in the late 70's as deejay on the Socialist Roots Sound System alongside the famous selector Danny Dread. His family having musical ties previously as Nicodemus brother is Blacka Morwell of the Morwells. In '78 Prince Jammy connected him with the Tape-Tone Hifi which found great success when Nicodemus joined the sound. The deejay won a strong following with his gruff voice that was in similar manner of Prince Far I or Prince Jazzbo but more in tune with rhythm riding younger deejay generation.

Nicodemus recorded several hits at Channel One and in '82 his first albums reached such as Gunman Connection (Cha Cha) where the title track was a sizeable hit, Dancehall Style (Black Joy), She Love It In The Morning (Hitbound) with striking cover art by Jamaal Pete and also the first part of Greensleeves DJ Clash series which he shared with Toyan.

The deejay would often be found featuring on sounds such as Virgo Hifi (a sound that he also would chat for in New York after it had migrated there in '82) and Jack Ruby's Hi Power.

The deejay was a popular all through the 80's recording what today are regarded as classic albums in the early 80's and also in the mid 80's for labels such as Skengdon.

Nicodemus would frequently travel to the US where he also recorded. A notable session of his earlier US-recordings is from a travel with fellow artists from Jack Ruby's Hi-Power in '83 - Bobby Culture, Louie Rankin, Brimstone & Fire. The result was the album Tidal Wave that featured an early version of Nicodemus PT. 109 that he would re-record in the mid 80's.

In '88 he recorded the album Cabin Stabbin with Supercat & Junior Demus which proved to be a success in the US.

Nicodemus passed away the 26th of August in '96 after diabetes complications.

Protegés and artists inspired by Mr. Demus

There are several deejays that have been influenced by Nicodemus and taken after his style. The earliest one perhaps being Papa Keeble who was also known as Nicodemus Junior. The deejay Chaka Demus was also would also use the Nicodemus Junior moniker in his early career but would later be dubbed to Chaka Demus by Nico himself. There was also the deejay Junior Demus (b. Conrad McNish) who would take on the style and successfully evolve a minimalistic chatting approach to great effect.

Discography

LP albums by Nicodemus

12" Singles by Nicodemus

7" Singles by Nicodemus

LP comp. appearances by Nicodemus