Shaka Pow: Dancehall Doctor
“Why would a young medical doctor want to become a Dancehall DJ?” The Answer is: “Simply for the love of it.”
In saying Shaka Pow, Mr. Pow, Dr. Pow, WOW! The girls pop chow; We’re speaking of the Dancehall Doctor, The Real Doc – Dr. Garth McDonald. Many may ask: “Why would a young medical doctor want to become a Dancehall DJ?” The Answer is: “Simply for the love of it.”
Shaka Pow started deejaying at about age three, soon after he began mimicking the major dancehall acts of the time. His musical talents along with his academic brilliance were encountered by his parents Kasmir and Nellie – both ardent music lovers. Kasmir was the owner of a small sound system, and Nellie a ‘stepper’ of popular dance from her teenage years.
Pow attended Waterford Primary, St. Catherine High, and Kingston College where he excelled and gained direct entry into Faculty of Medical Science at The University of the West Indies Mona, at age eighteen. While at UWI, he was not seen as the ordinary medical student because of his avid involvement in entertainment manifested in him being on stage as an opening act for Beenie Man, Bounty Killa, Scare Dem and Monster Shack, at Countdown and Spectrum. He was elected Chairman of Entertainment for the Guild of Students in 1996 and kept the campus real busy. During his tenure he rejuvenated the Students’ Union. While at UWI he recorded his first demo with fellow medical student Christopher Clarke, which attracted their first musical contract from a New Jersey based record company leading to the first single- ‘Hello Hello’
Shaka Pow graduated from UWI in 1997 and after internship in 1999 he plunged into recording with Jamaican top producers such as: Q45, Steely and Clevie, King Jammy’s, Jack Scorpio, Jan Screw, Syt Gordon, Robert Ffrench, and Massive B to name a few. His leading singles include: ‘Book, ‘God Bless. ‘Too Experienced with Barrington Levy, Jerry Springer and Stress’.
The 2001 US release of the album Am The Doo for inner Beat Records – a Florida based company further contributed to Pow’s rising. Since then, Shaka Pow has made numerous appearances at Sting, Professionals in Cabaret, Dancehall Rock. Barrington Levy and Friends. Teen Splash among others. He has made TV appearances on Morning Time, CVM at Sunrise, On Stage with Winford Williams and Our Voices.
His video performances include: ‘God Bless’, ‘Magnificent 7 Medley’ with Elephant Man and others ‘Book’, ‘Old McDonald’, ‘Badman vs Badness’ featuring Bogle, ‘My Pain’ featuring Jah Mason and Chrisinti, ‘Rumours of War’, ‘Look Sexy’, ‘Long Before Phone’ (counteraction to Vybz Kartel’s ‘Hello Motto’). His audibility and visibility has improved tremendously since 2004 which was mainly due to the diligence of his management team: Noel McKinson, Trevor Cole and main producer Kevin ‘Ice-berg’ Blake.
Shaka Pow has become a force to be reckoned with in the Dancehall. His jovial and kind man nerism has gained him the love and respect of his fellow dancehall and medical counterparts. In addition to music Shaka Pow, the medical doctor, has participated in numerous charity events including community health fairs and school functions. The song ‘Book’, based on its lyrical content with emphasis on education, yielded recognition and resulted in him being summoned to give numerous talks at graduations and prize giving ceremonies. Like the music industry, Shaka Pow has received positive responses from members of the medical fraternity. His lyrics have been described as culturally aware, ‘street’, ‘hip’ and trendy. Many would say unique and versatile.
Shaka Pow stepped into 2009 with the release of his sophmore album “Special Design” which features Ronnie Thwaithes, Natural Black, Chrisinti, Heather Cummings & Jah Mason. This album, a culturally and socially aware commentary boasts a few dancehall tracks and of note, track 2. a gospel piece which features crooner Richard Brown. 2009 was a very good year for the Doc, he enjoyed a solid year of airplay and visibility with the hit single ‘Currency’ on the ‘Liv Up Records Good Life Riddim’ followed by Money Machine on the ATM Riddim.
Shaka Pow recorded Rubba Bounce with Samboni which was an instant dancehall hit locally and globally-A tribute to the late dancehall icon ‘ICE’ who has made a significant mark in the dancing world, which can be compared the hit songs of RDX, Voice Mail, Elephant Man, Ding Dong and even receiving Stone Love’s Dance Of The Year 2009. The year ended with Dancing Christmas (Christmas Carol and Video.)
2010 started with ‘Move Dem Up’ featuring Docta Bird on the ‘Style N Swagga Riddim’. Shaka Pow is becoming a household name and his presence is being strongly felt in the dancehall. He has gained the acceptance of the Hardcore Dancehall fans and will be a potent force to recon with, with such singles as ‘Hennessey Fridayz’ for Q45 and ‘Party All Nite’ featuring Egg Nogg for Scatta Burrell which are currently enjoying constant rotation on the airwaves and at parties.
Right now a Shaka Pow song caa play one time inna dance – it affi wheel!!
A decade later, Shaka Pow aka the “Outfytt Boss” has made notable strides under the guide of Noel McKinson, Debbian “Debbie Debz” Smith, Alcian “Sassy” Roxborough and Sophia McKay (New Image Promo) with ‘No Ice Cream Love’ featuring Abby Dallas (2017), ‘Turn Me On’ for Cornelius Records/ Platinum Camp (2018), ‘Love God’ featuring (2019), ‘Foot a Road’ featuring Tarnado (2019), ‘Banga Dance’ featuring McNuffy (2020), No Lovin feat Beenie Man 2020 and Unconditional Love his current “banger” on a Afrobeat driven riddim 2022 for IWAAD LLC with whom Shaka Pow had collaborated on 3 Riddim which is driven production MADD Energy, “Space Dem” and “Crazy” which featured dancehall giants Bounty Killa and Richie Stephens. Shaka Pow has grown both musically and medically and will continue to be global, versatile musical force.(Shaka Pow) has released 3 studio albums. ‘I am the Doc’ 2001 (Inner Beat Records) Special Design 2009 Doc Records) and Dancing 101 released in 2011 (Outfytt Records). With highly anticipated Album “The Rebirth” to be released 2023 through IWAAD LLC Distributed by Chris Thomas the CEO.Shaka Pow
About Author
