On any given bash, while the crowd is in its full madness mode, one can look at the back of the club and see a tall figure 'laid off in the cut'. As we leave the dance, that same figure is passing out flyers to his latest bashments; from the All White Affair in May to the Blue and White Affair in October. As Cleveland gets 'white' for the Annual All White Affair this month (May 25th), Chat 'Bout Cleveland's Tattletale took a few moments to sit down and chat with Super Dee of Youth Hi Power. Super Dee, one of this city's (and New York AND New Orleans) hardest working promoters, talks about Cleveland's dancehall scene, keeping the crowd hype and still managing to stay humble....
Friday, May 2, 2008, Caribbean Flavor (Euclid, Ohio)
Tattletale: Who are the members of your Sound System?
Super Dee: Myself (Super Dee); King John; Jah B and DJ Leo he's new.
TT: What got you interested in building a sound system?
Super Dee: I've been around this (soundsystems) since I was born. My uncle was the original owner of Youth Hi Power back in the 70's. I officially inherited it back in 2000.
TT: What makes a great sound?
Super Dee: Quality. Somebody who knows how to play for people. That's most important. If the people are not satisfied you're not doing your job.
TT: Many sounds like to first bless the dance with roots and culture, is that something that you like to do as well?
Super Dee: It depends on how I feel. I don't play one-way.
TT: Do you as the sound system try to set the vibes for the party or do you get it from the crowd how they are reacting to the tunes you've
selected?
Super Dee: Let the crowd (react). Again, if the people are not satisfied you're not doing your job.
TT: How difficult is it to build the vibes through each dance?
Super Dee: It's not difficult at all! I can start a dance off with this (motioning towards what is currently playing at the venue - Al 'Love & Happiness'). I guarantee you at whatever dance I play at the people are going to have a good time. That's just me. I'm the most humble person you can say you know, but when I get on that stage and I'm playing music, it's like another side of me. That's just how I play.
TT: Do you have any dub plates signature rhythms work with any artist?
Super Dee: Beres Hammond, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and Garnett Silk. I got a bunch.
TT: What do you think about the dancehall scene in Cleveland prior to and since you've been on the scene?
Super Dee: It's getting better.
TT: Do you feel Cleveland's Dancehall Scene is up-to-date on the music tip as other cities such as Detroit, Chicago, or even New York?
Super Dee: It depends. Sometimes yes and sometimes no. It's really up to the sound men to keep the people up on what's new.
TT: Chat Bout LOVES theme parties and can honestly say that we always look forward to the white party and your blue & white birthday party. Tell us about your inspiration behind bringing the annual white party as well as your annual blue & white birthday affair, which both create quite a buzz.
Super Dee: Cleveland needed it, really needed it.
(**Special Note- Chat Bout remembers those were the days when a certain crew made a sudden exit stage LEFT and yeah, it took about two years for the dancehall scene & celebrities to resurface. See archives on www.chatboutcleveland.blogspot.com March 2007 for more.)
TT: Being a versatile entertainment entity as a selector/sound system and promoter, in both New York and Cleveland - has it affected your creativity? People always tend to want you to top what you've already done; you know "push the envelope", "think outside the box", "Oh my God!" "What are they going to do next?" That sort of thing. Do you feel that pressure to top the last event or do you feel continuously motivated on your own, or a little bit of both?
Super Dee: No. I just try to relax and remain humble.
TT: Chat 'Bout Cleveland's mission is to: Provide an on-line access to celebrate Cleveland's Dancehall Community by uplifting it's reggae community: Sounds, promoters & patrons, businesses & bashments, and of course Cleveland's own Dancehall Celebrities! Having said that, what do you think of CHAT'BOUTCLEVELAND?
Super Dee: So far so good.
TT: Over the years, who are some of the people that you still enjoy
seeing coming out to support you?
Super Dee: (The people who come to) Caribbean Flavor and Dailey's I enjoy the vibes.
TT: Anything else you'd like our readers to know?
Super Dee: (Laughs) Come out and support the white party. Oh yeah also I have a talent show coming up and the winner of that show will be the opening act for Alicia Keys & Ludacris. Anyone interested can log on to Talent-Fever.com for more details.
