General Degree
| General Degree | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Cardiff Butt |
| Also known as | Degree, Snapple Dapple |
| Born | Manchester, Jamaica |
| Genres | Dancehall, reggae |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainer |
| Years active | Early 1990s–present |
| Labels | Size 8 |
| Website |
www |
Cardiff Butt, better known as General Degree (or simply Degree) and later as Snapple Dapple, is a Jamaican dancehall deejay and record producer.
Biography
Born in Manchester, Jamaica, Degree worked as a tailor before beginning his career in music in the late 1980s, his stage name reflecting the influence of General Trees. He had success through the 1990s with singles such as "Mother Rude Pickney", "Granny", "Mr. Do It Nice", "When I Hold You Tonight", "Bodyguard", "Papa Lover", "Traffic Blocking", "Boom Boom", and "Inna Body".[1][2][3] His lyrics are often sexually explicit and humorous, containing double entendres such as on his single "Pianist".[4]
In 1997 he was featured on Richie Stephens' "Come Give Me Your Love", which reached number 61 on the UK Singles Chart.[5]
He also has his own 'Size 8' record label.[1] Since 2000 he has spent much of his time on production work, under the name 'Snapple Dapple'.[3] In 2006 he launched his own 'Reh Geh' clothing range.[6] In 2008 he was one of the judges in the 'Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall' contest. Since 2005 he has held the annual 'Manchester Fiesta' show.[2]
His first album since 2007's Generally Speaking, Snapple Dapple Volume 1, was released in 2012, with a promotional tour of Europe following.[2][3]
In January 2015 he released the one-drop reggae EP Feeling Irie.[7]
Discography
Albums
- Granny (1992), VP
- P'N'S (1994), VP
- Ninety Degrees (1994), Pipper/King Dragon
- Degree (1997), VP
- Bush Baby (1998), VP
- Fi Real (1999), Pretty Boy
- Yeah Man (2001), Greensleeves
- The General (2004), Size 8
- Generally Speaking (2007), Kingstone
- Snapple Dapple Volume 1 (2012)
- Compilations
- Smash Hits (2002), Size 8
- Split albums
- Battle Of The Generals (1987), King Dragon - with General Trees
EPs
- Feeling Irie (2015)
References
- 1 2 Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, p. 120
- 1 2 3 Morgan, Simone (2012) "General Degree to release new album", Jamaica Observer, 31 July 2012, retrieved 7 September 2012
- 1 2 3 Henry, Davina (2012) "General Degree Gears Up For European Tour", Jamaica Gleaner, 5 September 2012, retrieved 7 September 2012
- ↑ Kenner, Rob (2002) "Boomshots", Vibe, December 2002, p. 208, retrieved 7 September 2012
- ↑ "Richie Stephens(Link redirected to OCC website)", chartarchive.org, retrieved 7 September 2012
- ↑ Anglin-Christie, Kavelle (2006) "DJs eye runway in fashion", Jamaica Star, 14 March 2006, retrieved 7 September 2012
- ↑ "General Degree is 'Feeling Irie'", Jamaica Observer, 26 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015