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Biography

At the start of his career in 1986, who would have imagined that the British born Geoffrey Cordle (coming with his mother to Barbados at age 3) would go on to fly Barbados flag and that of reggae music high at every port of call? With a voice like rich molasses and a commanding stage presence Biggie Irie is perhaps best known to Barbadians as a founding member of The Splash band, the only other group on the Island, besides Exodus, who dedicated their repertoire solely to reggae music. Within two years of the groups formation in 1990 they were repeat guests at the Stockholm Water Festival in Sweden; seasoned New York with their unique brand of reggae flavor and made their mark in the reggae capital of the world at Jamaicas Reggae Sunsplash. There Biggie and the Splashband shared the stage with the whos who of reggae music, Joseph Hill & Culture, Burning Spear, Luciano, Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Diana King and veterans like Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires, Singing Sandra and the Mighty Sparrow.

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While with THE SPLASHBAND Biggie wrote and recorded over one hundred (100) songs, some of which were chart toppers in the Caribbean, U.K and North America. His song writing ability rivals his vocal talent; sweeter still as he writes from his heart. One such example is Shine on Jamaica which he wrote while touring with Exodus. Dedicated to the people of Jamaica who suffered at the devastating hands of Hurricane Gilbert, it was an instant hit in hometown Barbados, and in neighboring islands. He was the principle song writer for THE SPLASHBAND, and his voice can be heard on albums which still today stir the souls of true reggae lovers throughout the region: The Game of Life, Riddim-A-Ton, X-Amonakamusic, Get Busy and Champion Sound. This kind of staying power is something Biggie believes in, asserting that recording artists here [Barbados] have to get back to recording songs with longevity and not the disposable music which has been coming out of late. He backs up this argument by explaining that most of us don't have day jobs like in the past, [and] music is now our bread and butterso if we put more thought into writing good material and longer hours in the studio, the results in the long run will be amazing." 1995 saw the end of The Splashband but the beginning of Biggies two year relationship as lead singer with local group SPICE & CO. This also proved to be a successful partnership.

The touring stint took him to Trinidad, Jamaica, Antigua, Costa Rica, Martinique and Guyana where he performed for sold out audiences Having lent his talent both on and off stage to two big name local bands Biggie then bravely entered waters in which artistes either sink or swim his solo career. 1998 saw the formation of Biggie Irie and the Israelites a band whose primary function was to back Biggie in this effort. While still a few months old the group embarked on two tours of the region. First to Grenada for the inaugural Spice Jazz Festival, then to Bermuda to headline at the Surf Club nightspot for a two-week stint. They were a sensation, receiving rave reviews in the local media of both countries, and were asked to return for another two-week stint in Bermuda in October of that same year. But it was the U.S. release of the CD An Introduction to Biggie Irie in 1999 and the Spirit of Unity World Tour that same year that cemented his position as a solo artist in the world of reggae music. The tour began on a high note in Los Angeles where Biggie shared the stage with Steel Pulse, Ras Shiloh, Joseph Hill of Culture, Maxi Priest and Monifah in a reggae all-star band on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In the fast paced world of television entertainment where a few minutes is all youve got a make your mark, Biggies impact was undeniable. From there he had audiences in Seattle and San Diego eating out of his hands with his dominating yet gentle and soulful presence. But it was after a performance at the San Diego Street scene that one of Biggies childhood dreams came true. The Reggae Ambassadors THIRD WORLD invited him to join them during their set for their big hit Now That We Found Love.

Yet it is the satisfaction and enjoyment of his audiences that thrill Biggie most and none was so sweet as the crowd begging for more in Percy California at Reggae on the River. And more they got: as if by heavenly intervention his new CD had just arrived from Barbados and nearly 200 copies were sold on the spot. How do you keep things in perspective when David Hinds of Steel Pulse invites you on stage in New York for a rendition of Rally Round the Flag? Quite easily it would appear, as despite the resounding success of the Spirit of Unity tour Biggie saved his most commanding performance for the Barbadian audience. Do you want BIGGIE IRIE? Asked the MC at the climax of the tour at Barbados National Stadium. And the affirmative answer could be heard for miles around that warm October night.

After eight weeks of fantastic reviews in the American press Biggie Irie came home to seduce the ladies with his rich smooth voice, stir mens consciousness with his lyrics and left all and sundry aching for more of his Champion Sound. One would think that after being sought after by Billboard Magazine, Caribbean Billboard Music and TV and other major international media and performing with Steel Pulse and Third World that 1999 couldnt get any better for Biggie Irie. But December of that year brought another treat: he was asked to open for renowned reggae legend ERNIE SMITH, at the Almond Beach Resort in Barbados. Sharing a stage with greats like these is among the highlights of his career. By now Biggies is a respected voice on the local music scene and his 2003 album Where is the Love has sparked some interest at major record labels VP Records and Jet Star. Yet he is not satisfied with the state of the industry. He believes that we have so much talent here in Barbados, most of the time most of it just falls by the way side without being appreciated or even recognized locally or internationally. Some people get caught up with this [idea of] "local artists" [but] I truly believe that at least 80% of our artists here are of international quality. We just need the support of our own to take our careers to the next level." Theres no doubt that Biggie is supported by his own the only question left is where will he and the Israelites go next on their Exodus?.