C.B.R. is on a mission. The group and self-proclaimed record label, which represents rap and hip-hop artists in Cayman, is fast on its way to success according to its hardworking and entrepreneurial founders.
Andrew Jackson, one of C.B.R’s founders and rap artists, is looking forward to a successful career.
‘Currently C.B.R has four artists who often perform together or as individual solo artists,’ he said.
Mr. Jackson, known as ‘Young Flurf’, along with co-founders and fellow rap artists ‘Bublez’, ‘M-Lido’ and ‘J-Nezzie,’ have, according to the artist, already well and truly established themselves on the Cayman Island’s music scene.
The artists at C.B.R. first made a name for themselves providing entertainment at key events, including the Miss Teen Pageant in 2005 and the launch of teen magazine Skoop.
The first opportunity for all four artists to perform at an event hosting an international performer was at Jamaican artist QQ’s Betta Soon Come concert, December last year.
A further opportunity quickly followed, when all four performed at the Welcome to Jamrock concert, featuring Grammy award winning Jamaican reggae artist Damian ‘JR. Gong’ Marley.
‘It was really exciting to be asked to perform at such a prestigious event alongside such a big name,’ Mr. Jackson said.
‘We received an excellent response from the crowd, which we were overwhelmed with, particularly as it was a reggae event,’ he added.
C.B.R., which Mr. Jackson explained stands for Cats Brought-up Restricted, due to the fact that none of its founders were born with silver spoons in their mouths, was first established in 2003.
Since its inception C.B.R. has gone on to produce a number of mix-tapes, including C.B.R. volume 1 in 2003, C.B.R. volume 2 and volume 2.1 in 2004. Each mix-tape features all original material.
All four have also released their own solo mix-tapes, including Young Flurf’s, Under the Influence, which has, according to the artist, been a big hit with their loyal and growing fan base.
The four artists all met at John Gray High School, thanks to their common love of rap and hip-hop.
Following their graduation in 2002 the budding rap artists were eager to build on their musical talents, establishing C.B.R as a platform from which to release their mix-tapes and encourage the rap and hip-hop genre in Cayman.
The artists, who all hope to become full-time musicians in the near future, write their own original material, often inspired by their experience of life, everyday angst, politics, or their ambitions for the future.
‘Sometimes we write our own songs, other times we all come together to write lyrics,’ Mr. Jackson said.
Inspired by such artists as Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lily-Wayne, Mr. Jackson explained that their music appeals to mostly young people, however that they try and incorporate different styles of rap to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.
Looking forward, C.B.R. hopes to broaden their fan base to the wider Caribbean in 2006.
‘We are currently looking at the possibility of performing with international names throughout the rest of the Caribbean,’ Mr. Jackson said.
‘We are currently busy establishing our own website, which we hope to get up and running soon. My second solo album is also due to be released in April this year,’ he added.
C.B.R. can be contacted on 324-6521, or email at [email protected] for further information.
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