YardFlex.com: Flex in da complex - Next on Bounty Killer 's list

June 14, 2007

Flex in da complex - Next on Bounty Killer 's list

"Wha dem a deal wid?" - The slogan of fast-rising Dancehall artist Flex - can be heard from the garrison to uptown, from radios to buses to school children. Widely tipped as the next member of the Bounty Killer-led Alliance collective, Flex has made a name for himself via rapid-fire lyrics and melodies that hook you on first listen. Born Omar Henry at the Jubilee Hospital, Flex was first raised on the tough streets of Maxfield Avenue, before moving around Kingston, finally settling as a proud resident of Grant's Pen.

"From mi know myself I've wanted to be a DJ," says Flex. "As a youth I used to deejay Lt. Stitchie's song dem like they were my own," he continues, explaining the roots of his lyrical dexterity. His first time on stage was as an 8 yr old, at a community stage show where he deejayed Stitchie's intricate lyrics from start to finish and needless to say tore up the stage.

When Buju Banton burst onto the scene Flex found a new idol and began developing his own lyrics and imitating Buju's gravelly tones. Once Bounty Killer exploded, Flex, like many of the current frontrunners in Dancehall, was influenced beyond the point of no return.

At a stage show held in Cassava Piece '94 he performed and took the accolades of the show along with an area artist named Singing Blacks, who the world would later better know as Mavado. Since then both artists have been sparring, with Flex currently getting worldwide exposure opening for Mavado at stage shows around the globe. Back in the days Flex, Mavado, Terror Kid and Rockilla formed the Mafidi Crew and took it to the streets.

Since the day Tyrical introduced them to Bounty Killer, according to Flex, their future started to look bright. "Killer was the only artist who used to take time to school we," remembers Flex, who can be considered as a foundation Alliance member.. "He said we had crazy lyrics but taught us about how to construct verses, choruses and how to bring melody into the ting. Killer even put us in Dave Kelly's studio to voice, on Saddle to the East and It's Tha Party. Julian also carried us to crazy shows from back then."

Having co-written hits for fellow Grants Pen resident Predator, with whom he also travelled extensively, Flex's time has now arrived. "Murderer," on Delly Rank's mammoth Red Bull and Guiness riddim and backed up by a hardcore video was an instant hit.

Follow-ups "Kill Kill Kill," "Sunday Morning" on the Powercut, "Buss mi gun" and a new track on Steven McGregor's Tremor soundbed has seen Flex acquire a new army of fans.

Supremely confident on stage and with plans to expand into production and stage shows with the newly-formed Fagan Fraternity, Flex shows every sign of maintaining his current momentum for a long time to come.

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June 14, 2007

Flex in da complex - Next on Bounty Killer 's list

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