King Addies

King Addies International was founded in 1983 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn by Jamaican immigrant Adolphus "Addie" Shawn. His cousin Father Ethan took ownership in 1985. Veteran selector Danny Dread, called "The Teacher" for his immense skill, joined from Kingston where he had played with Jammy's Hi Fi and Volcano Sound. Addies dominated "The Biltmore Era" - the Golden Era of sound clash at the Biltmore Ballroom in Flatbush - proving you didn't have to be Jamaica-based to reach the top. Known as "The Billboard Sound," Addies were instrumental in the careers of Supercat, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, and Sean Paul. Danny Dread was honored by Jamaica's Ministry of Culture in 2020 as a living legend.

Artists who King Addies has been instrumental in supporting: