Shy FX crashed the British pop charts in mid-1994 with "Original Nuttah", one of the most infectious Ragga-Jungle anthems of all time and quickly became one of Jungle's most respected producers. Born in London, Andre Williams debuted on S.O.U.R. Records (Sound Of The Underground) with two singles, "Gangsta Kid" and "Sound Of The Beast", in 1994. His third for the label, "Original Nuttah," perfectly epitomized Jungle's growing Ragga-Ruffneck style, with a light-speed rhythm track and rude-boy scatting from UK Apachi. Almost immediately after its release, the single ignited dance clubs, flew out of the stores, and eventually made the British charts.
Shy FX started his own Ebony label soon after, releasing more classic Jungle tunes like "The Message" and "Wolf". His 1997 "Bambaata" was hailed as tune of the year. Shy started a couple of offshoots such as Ivory (catering for no-nonsense rollers) and Naughty But Nice (for the funkier end of his productions).
But this is his collaborative work with T Power that had so far the biggest impact, mixing their highly credible brand of drum and bass with a strong pop sensibility, with "Shake Ur Body" in 2001 – released on EMI subsidiary Positiva – that made him a household name. It was followed by an album on FFRR "Set It Off" the following year. Shy FX decide to fold all his label to concentrate on a new Digital Soundboy venture in 2005, releasing so far a Shy FX and T Power album "Diary Of A Digital Soundboy", as well a providing a choice platform for promising young artists such as Benny Page and Visionary. A solo artist LP is in the pipeline for 2007.
Shy FX crashed the British pop charts in mid-1994 with "Original Nuttah," one of the most infectious ragga/jungle anthems of all time. Though the success proved a bit too much for him, he built his reputation back over the course of a few years and became one of jungle's most respected producers. Born in East London, Andre Williams debuted on S.O.U.R. Records (Sound of the Underground) with two 1994 singles, "Gangsta Kid" and "Sound of the Beast." His third for the label, "Original Nuttah," perfectly epitomized jungle's growing ragga-ruffneck style, with a light-speed rhythm track and rude-boy scatting from UK Apachi. Almost immediately after its release, the single ignited dance clubs, flew out of the stores, and eventually made the British charts.
The quick success did little to endear Shy FX with the jungle underground, and his later pronouncements that he was the king of jungle didn't help either. Shy FX released just one more single for S.O.U.R., then virtually disappeared for several years after a major-label deal fell through. He finally emerged at the helm of his own label, Ebony, and with a growing list of tight singles like "The Message" and "Bambaataa," kinetic jump-up fusions of ragga attitude and old-school hip-hop themes. Shy FX also set up another label, Ivory, to release steady rollers by the likes of the 45 Roller -- almost undoubtedly Shy himself despite protests to the contrary. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide (from mp3.com)
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