Damion Darrel Warren (born 21 September 1980), best known as Teacha Dee, is a Jamaican reggae singer and former educator. He is best known for his hit singles “Smoke and Fly,” “Reggae Souljahs” and “Smuggling Weed.” He was a full-time employee for the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture in Jamaica when he recorded all three songs. His stage name was derived from the Jamaican creole for “teacher” and a shortening of his childhood nickname “Demus.”
Warren was born on September 21, 1980 in Westmoreland, Jamaica. He grew up in a little district called Bath where he attended the Unity Primary School. Being successful in his Common Entrance Exams, he was rewarded a place at the prestigious Manning’s School from which he graduated in 1997 before relocating to Montego Bay to live with his mother. Warren then attended the Sam Sharpe Teachers College secondary programme to pursue his teaching career.
In September 2000, Warren was employed by the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture to teach Mathematics, Integrated Science and Information Communication Technology. He worked at the Glendevon Primary and Junior High School located in Montego Bay, up until his resignation in May 2012, to pursue his dream of being an entertainer.
In May 2005, Teacha Dee began his professional recordings with The Mighty Powpow Productions a major German production label. He recorded “Life Goes on” which is a reggae song sung in the melody of The Beatles hit “[Ob La Di]”. This song was released in 2006 as part of a compilation CD titled “First Sight Riddim”. However, “life goes on” was not published as “Teacha Dee” but as “Damian Warren”. This resulted in the song been listed on many reggae database sites as belonging to a separate artiste.
In late 2006, he recorded a song titled “Them A Play” for Dasvibes Productions. This was released on a riddim compilation called “Gloria Riddim”. The single was the first song on which he was officially recognized as “Teacha Dee”. All songs recorded after this date were released as Teacha Dee and not his given name.
In 2007, he recorded “Smuggling Weed” for Powpow Movements which became his first popular song within the European scene. However, his most successful song at that time was “Smoke and Fly.” This was recorded as a sound system dub on the “Kingston Town” instrumental made popular by an Italian reggae superstar Alberto Dascola aka Alborosie. This song quickly became a sound system’s favorite and a huge hit within the reggae clubs.
Early 2008, Teacha Dee recorded “Blaming Game” for Master J Productions. This was a record label based in Montego Bay, Jamaica. “Blaming Game” was the first single that was in circulation on the radio stations in Jamaica. Prior to this, his music was gaining a lot of attention outside of Jamaica without the knowledge of many Jamaicans and the Ministry of Education. Teacha Dee also recorded “Reggae Souljahs” later that same year that quickly became a popular reggae anthem in Germany. This song was produced by Rootdown Records and released on a various artiste compilation called “Ilove Riddim”. In August 2008, Teacha Dee started his own label called “Tenfloor Records”.
After some years of study, Teacha Dee accepted the Ras Tafari way of life in June 2010. This brought about a remarkable change in the messages in his music as well as his overall image. In August 2010, he began to focus on his own production company and produced his first collaboration titled “what i pray.” This song features ‘Determine’, an artiste famous for a massive hit with Beenie Man. Teacha Dee released two various artiste compilations quickly after on his label. These were “Hot Box Riddim” and “Thirteen Riddim” both released in late 2010 and early 2011 respectively.
In the summer of 2011, Teacha Dee embarked on his first European tour during his vacation leave from teaching. This tour gave a strong boost to his career on the international scene. The people who loved his songs, could now put a face to his music. His first tour included appearances at Yaam and Insel Clubs in Berlin, Faust in Hannover, Magnapop in Krefeld, Petit Prince and Lüxor in Köln, Rude 7 in Mannheim, Kulturfabrik in Hildeshiem, Wagen Bau in Hamburg and U-club in Wupertal. The highlight of his tour was his performance at the prestigious Reggaejam Festival in Bersenbrück, Germany.
During this trip Teacha Dee recorded for several producers. “Symbiz Productions” based in Germany, “Catchy Grezzly” based in Italy and “Soul Force Music” also based in Germany. In October 2011 immediately after his first tour, Teacha Dee released his debut album entitled “Reggae Souljahs: Beating Babylon With Music”. This album was released on his own independent record label.
In April 2012, Teacha Dee returned to Europe for a mini tour. On this trip, he performed in Cantu Italy, Bern Switzerland and Oldenburg Germany. He also did repeated performances in Osnabruck and Mannheim. It was during this time he recorded a collaboration with ‘Skarra Mucci’ entitled “Summer Time” for “Weedy G SoundForce” a Swiss-based label. This was how his affiliation with Weedy G Soundforce for whom he recorded many singles began. In May 2012, Teacha Dee recorded “Sound System” for Reggaeville/Oneness Productions both based in Germany. He also worked with producers such as “Catchy Greezly” based in Italy, Jugglers Music and Deebuzz Music both based in Germany. A total of 12 singles were released that same year for various producers including his own record label.
In August 2013, Teacha Dee and Utan Green collaborated on a single entitled “Reggae Show” on the “Reggae Jam Riddim” which was released at the 19th staging of the Reggae Jam festival held in Bersenbruck, Germany. Teacha Dee was a headliner for this festival.
On July 4th 2014, “Party Day” recorded for Germany-based upcoming producers “Dancehallrulerz” made it to the number one spot on the official German reggae charts. This chart presented by Jugglerz radio and Riddim Magazine, was the official Reggae chart of Germany. “Party Day” held the number one spot on two separate occasions. It went down the charts for a short time before returning to number one spot a few days later. These charts numbered 30/2014 and 33/2014 were posted on 26 August and 22 September respectively.
In July 2015, Teacha Dee released his first artiste mix-tape titled “Rasta Ting”. It consisted of 26 tracks which were released within the European market and was presented by Europe’s female sound sensation, Big Mama Sound. In that same month at the 21st staging of the Reggae Jam Festival in Bersenbruck, Teacha Dee’s performance was reviewed as “one of the most reviting” by irieites.de. Their list of highlights also included David Rodigan, Anthony B, Alpheus, Ken Boothe, Winston Francis and Bitty McLean.
In 2016, Teacha Dee released a total of ten singles. The most successful of these were; “Jah Jah is calling” on the Pac Man Riddim, “Concrete Grave” on the After Berlin Wall Riddim and “Rastafari Way” on the Horn Of Africa Riddim. Teacha Dee’s major hit of 2016 was “Rastafari Way” which spent 14 days on Beatport’s top 100 reggae/dub chart peaking at 44. Another solid performer was “Concrete Grave” which was selected in the top 100 reggae hits of 2016 by Zonareggae.ro based in Romania.
Only one week left until the return of the 14th edition of The Montreal International Reggae Festival, once again under the banner United Against Violence and featuring an impressive line-up of the best international and national artists and DJs. Here is the complete schedule of the three days of the MIRF 2017:
With locks stretching from the crown of his head almost to the sole of his feet, the artis CALI P bears an aura of spirituality often identified with those whose sacred mission it is to take the message of Reggae and Rastafari to the diverse parts of the earth. His easy manner comports with ones expectation of a life dedicated to a mission of peace and love. His delivery and passion certainly remind his audience that while the lyrical fire of Rastafari burns brightly within his soul he is keenly aware that the message must be delivered in a contemporary manner. CALI P expresses the eternal truth of Rastafari with a youthful freshness that is so appealing.
