Daddy Ernie
BA CQSW DM.
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AWARD
Daddy Ernie is a multi-award-winning broadcaster from London, England.
Born to Jamaican parents, his father was a renowned sound system operator in the Caribbean community, and music was a staple in his household.
When he was a teenager, Ernie, his brother, and some close friends launched his own sound system: President Downbeat.
Not only did this earn him kudos, but it also provided invaluable insight into what it took to become a top operator and selector.
Ernie’s infatuation with the latest imports from Jamaica was born and nurtured under the King Trojan sound system, which was associated with the all-powerful Trojan Record company, the leading reggae label in the UK at the time.
However, Hawkeye Records in Harlesden, North-West London, was the place where everything came together.
In the early 1980s, at the forefront and centre of reggae music was Daddy Ernie alongside Hawkeye International Sound System.
Daddy Ernie was involved with LWR, widely regarded as the UK’s first Black music station.
Shortly after, he had a brief stint with Time FM before hitting the big time with the first five-day-a-week reggae programme outside of Jamaica: The Super Jam show was first broadcast on Choice FM radio in March 1990.
Ernie’s entertaining and informative interviews with top reggae artists from Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott and Freddie McGregor to Shaggy and Sean Paul have helped him to become revered among legions of global fans.
Ernie’s presenting skills have led to high-profile hosting engagements around the world over the decades; in 1993, he became the first British male personality to host ‘International Night’ at Sumfest in Jamaica – “The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth”.
He was also the main host for Jamaica’s 50th independence celebrations in London.
During yearly trips to Jamaica, Ernie presented shows transmitted by Choice FM in London and also participated in one of the island’s most prestigious awards ceremonies with Richie B.
When he is not hosting Superjam on Vibes FM, Ernie plays music at some of London’s top clubs and events, as well as in Europe and the USA.
Superjam can now be heard onboard British Airways and Aer Lingus as part of their inflight entertainment schedule. It is the best reggae show in the skies!