Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Left: Stephen McGregor is comfortable around adults in the studio.   Right: Stephen McGregor has his hands on the keyboards and drum machine. - Contributed photos

At only 16 years old, producer Stephen McGregor seems destined to make a mark on Jamaican music. One would expect the son of reggae veteran Freddie McGregor to be involved in music, but Stephen has proven he has not only creativity, but staying power as well.

Stephen is one of Jamaica's more prolific with some of the hottest rhythms around, such as 'Red Bull and Guinness', '12 Gauge', 'Stick Up' and 'Breaking News'. He has produced outstanding songs for many artistes, including Daville's On My Mind, as well as songs for his father, Wayne Marshall, Vybz Kartel, Aidonia and many more.

His days behind the microphone came all of 11 years ago, when at five years old he released his only song, School Done Rule. And only four years ago he started producing tracks professionally.

Stephen was naturally drawn to music, having been exposed to the industry his whole life. "Dad built a studio beside our house, so we just go in to learn and developed a natural love; we weren't forced to do music," he said. According to Stephen, his father is behind him 100 per cent, teaching him the ropes of the business and how to manage his career. "Growing up in the business helps, especially in the business side of things, so we have that advantage. We know contracts. So far it's going good. I have a lot of tracks, doing extremely well, not only here but all over," he said.

Knowing the business is not the only advantage of having a famous father, as he claims that more people are willing to take him seriously - especially at his age. "It helped in the sense that people will give you a listening ear because they will hear and be interested and say that's Freddie's son. It doesn't really help the material, because at the end of the day it's the talent that matters. There are a lot of other people who have children that are not into it like that," he said.

Behind the scenes

Although a confident producer who can sing as well, Stephen feels more comfortable being behind the scenes.

After graduating from Ardenne High School this year, he is planning to take a year out to focus on his "crazy work". He explains that "I usually do my school work and get that out of the way. I was focused in school; music never affected my schoolwork. Right now the studio is like every day long lines of artistes; the studio is crowded."

Work environment

One would think Stephen would have some difficulty, with artistes having to take direction from one so young, but as he claims in the studio it's a 'family vibe'.

"When you have a dancehall rhythm, someone will hear you and spread the word. Currently, it's mainly dancehall, because we have so many dancehall tracks on di road. I admire all of the artistes. It's more competitive now; artistes have to be more creative. For new artistes trying to break, lyrics are totally different compared to two years ago", he says.

An admirer of Sly and Robbie, Bobby Digital, Don Corleone, Lenky, Snow Cone and many more, Stephen has created his own style of making music. "Sometimes I'll have an idea before, sometimes it's just a vibe, we'll be talking about something or a melody comes up. We get concepts, like some rhythms you hear a Middle Eastern vibe and we convert it. My rhythms, I incorporate like hip hop, I blend the genres into the dancehall and I listen to every genre," he said.

Stephen has obviously got his nickname 'The Genius' for a reason. His style has become so popular and in demand that he has begun to make his impact already. "It's a big accomplishment at my age; a lot of producers have been working from 19, they haven't reached the level I have. The style I use persons are beginning to go into that field. I guess it's effective," he said.

Having just come back from Japan from producing songs for popular reggae acts there, he is currently in negotiations with international acts and labels.