Zeb

For a while now, the world has been one big festival circuit for LA-based dancehall reggae artist Zeb. As a drummer, he has backed up artists such as Sean Paul and Barrington Levy, touring around the world and playing for crowds of 20,000 or more at Bob Marley Day, Reggae on the River and Jamaica's Sunsplash and many others. But this born performer was not content to stay behind the drum kit forever. In the mid-90s he ventured into singing, writing and producing -- with immediate success. Audiences loved his high-energy, club-friendly, rhythm-heavy brand of dancehall.

A California native, Zeb grew up around hip-hop and rock music, and was playing live shows by the age of 11. However, he was surrounded by the people and the music of the West Indies since early childhood, and has been making regular trips to Jamaica throughout the past decade. The combined influences help create an unmistakable style: an upbeat, international blend of dancehall, hip-hop and ragga. It's comparable to Busta Rhymes or Beenie Man, with a little bit of The Roots thrown in for good measure.

"Dancehall music is so universal that it can blend with any type of music," Zeb opines -- and in fact, he's proven himself an expert at crossing genre barriers. He mixes in anything from Fleetwood Mac to traditional Spanish tango, reverting back to straightahead dancehall for songs such as the unbelievably hip and infectuous "Pet the cat", "Supafly Sandy" and"Willin". His music has already been heard on LA's 'World Famous' KROQ and The Beat. Given the popularity that dancehall is gaining in today's urban music scene, it seems likely that soon this unique and talented artist will blow up the airwaves and nightclub playlists from coast to coast.