Born
David Parkes in 1972, General B is a prominent Jamaican dancehall deejay known for his versatile songwriting and distinctive “turbine whine” vocal style. Raised in Kingston’s Waterhouse and Seaview communities, he was heavily inspired by the deejay General Trees.
Musical Career & Monster Shack Crew
General B rose to major prominence in 1994 as a founding member of the Monster Shack Crew, alongside Ghost and Roundhead. While the group was highly successful, his individual songwriting skills allowed him to thrive as a solo artist.
- Key Hits: His catalogue includes dancehall staples like “Nicky”, “Scream”, “Bad Inna New Clothes”, and “God Heart” (with Jason Sweetness).
- Innovations: He is credited with inspiring younger deejays to use group “crews” as an apprenticeship model before launching solo careers.
- International Reach: In the late ’90s, he branched into hip-hop with the New York-recorded track “If Me Did Know”.
Featured Work: “Stay Far”
One of his notable tracks is “Stay Far”, a collaboration with artist Hya P released in 2013 on the Blackrose Congratulation Rhythm produced by Starr Vybz for SVE Music. The song aligns with his themes of perseverance and avoiding negativity, a message he continues to champion in his modern work, such as recent tracks “Friends Like These” and “Nuh Friend”.
Recent Projects
General B remains active in the industry, recently participating in the “90s Greatness Tour” alongside fellow veterans like Lt. Stitchie and Thriller U. He is currently preparing a new EP and continues to maintain a strong presence on Instagram.