MONSOON
@Monsoonvibe
After a successful 10 years with the award-winning Washington, DC-based S.T.O.R.M. Reggae Band (Strong Talented Organized and Real Musicians), founder and lead singer/deejay Denton "Monsoon" Bedward has stepped out to launch his solo career.
A native of Northern Clarendon in Jamaica, the veteran singer-songwriter's vocal ability has been compared to reggae veterans Capelton, Luciano and Tony Rebel. But where he really shines is on stage. After all, with a name like Monsoon, Bedward knows he has to come in like a strong wind, without mashin’ up the place too much. If you ask Monsoon, he'll tell you his passion to explode musically has always been in his DNA.
As CEO and Lead Singer/Deejay for S.T.O.R.M., one of DC's top area reggae bands, Monsoon earned acclaim for his CD release, "Eye Of The S.T.O.R.M.," while he received numerous awards, including "Song of the Year" for "Asalaam-Alaikum", "DeeJay of the Year" as well as, "Recording of The Year". One track on the CD, "Holla Holla" was on the soundtrack for the movie, Nora's Hair Salon II in 2007, featuring Tatyana Ali and Stacy Dash.
Monsoon is currently recording songs with top producers in Jamaica.
Monsoon, who performed at President Clinton's inauguration and has opened for international recording artists including Shaggy, Buju Banton, Capelton, Beres Hammond, Steel Pulse and Third World.
“I’m anxious to see how far I can go. It would be nice to be recognized as one of Jamaica's finest reggae artists, but these things take time,” says Monsoon, who during the Summer of 2009, opened for reggae icons Yellow Man, Professor Nuts, Frankie Paul and Leroy Sibbles.
After that performance, he got another moniker: a modern-day “Toots” (of the famed Toots and The Maytals). “I don’t even want to embrace that one,” he says. Toots is a legend, an icon. I just want to find my own place. Hopefully I will have a few people come along for the ride.”
A native of Northern Clarendon in Jamaica, the veteran singer-songwriter's vocal ability has been compared to reggae veterans Capelton, Luciano and Tony Rebel. But where he really shines is on stage. After all, with a name like Monsoon, Bedward knows he has to come in like a strong wind, without mashin’ up the place too much. If you ask Monsoon, he'll tell you his passion to explode musically has always been in his DNA.
As CEO and Lead Singer/Deejay for S.T.O.R.M., one of DC's top area reggae bands, Monsoon earned acclaim for his CD release, "Eye Of The S.T.O.R.M.," while he received numerous awards, including "Song of the Year" for "Asalaam-Alaikum", "DeeJay of the Year" as well as, "Recording of The Year". One track on the CD, "Holla Holla" was on the soundtrack for the movie, Nora's Hair Salon II in 2007, featuring Tatyana Ali and Stacy Dash.
Monsoon is currently recording songs with top producers in Jamaica.
Monsoon, who performed at President Clinton's inauguration and has opened for international recording artists including Shaggy, Buju Banton, Capelton, Beres Hammond, Steel Pulse and Third World.
“I’m anxious to see how far I can go. It would be nice to be recognized as one of Jamaica's finest reggae artists, but these things take time,” says Monsoon, who during the Summer of 2009, opened for reggae icons Yellow Man, Professor Nuts, Frankie Paul and Leroy Sibbles.
After that performance, he got another moniker: a modern-day “Toots” (of the famed Toots and The Maytals). “I don’t even want to embrace that one,” he says. Toots is a legend, an icon. I just want to find my own place. Hopefully I will have a few people come along for the ride.”