GERMAICA – keepin’ Dancehall real since 1999

GERMAICA was founded in 1999 by PIONEAR, a German national from the East German city of Leipzig. Between 1989 to 1999 he was the mastermind and producer of the German Reggae Band “Messer Banzani”. His mentor DEAN FRASER introduced him to the Kingston Reggae scene, and also to KING JAMMYS who shortly after released PIONEAR’s debut Riddim “Final Judgement” on the renowned “King Jammys” Label in 1998.

After living in Jamaica between 1998 and 2000, PIONEAR returned to Germany to establish the label. The first international approach “Bitch” (2000) produced at STEVEN VENTURA’s “Celestial Studio” featured Artistes like: ELEPHANT MAN, LADY SAW, DEGREE, HAWKEYE, LUKIE-D or KIP RICH and was an instant hit and the best selling riddim of that year in Germany.

The international breakthrough came in 2002 with TANYA STEPHENS’ “It’s A Pity” on the “Doctor’s Darling” riddim played by SEEED, Germany’s top notch Reggae Band from Berlin,
The song reached the top spot of the Reggae charts in Trinidad, (for 8 weeks) in Atlanta and also in New York. The song was included on VP records’ “Reggae Gold”, the world’s most prestigeous Reggae compilation in 2003. The riddim for the song was even picked for VP’s “Riddim Driven” series. Both song and riddim were the first and to date only German Reggae productions ever, to achieve such honor…

After releasing 16 Riddims and more than a hundred singles in the classic 45rpm format, global smashs like the “Cure” riddim amongst them, PIONEAR was observing the decrease of the music business while being focused on Artiste Development and evolving a “music only” label into a Dancehall lifestyle outlet launching his own street wear label of course called GERMAICA.

But there’s still lots of love for the “Art of riddim building” in the heart of the Saxon Dancehall entrepreneur and the latest developments whithin the business make it even easier to just “do some good music” and release it not only whithout waiting on pressing plants and logistics companies… That’s why in 2008 PIONEAR launched GERMAICA DIGITAL, the first all digital Dancehall label in the world!

Newly shaped the Company is ready to approach the future and it’s 10 year anniversary in 2010 and for sure will be the driving force for Dancehall music on the European continent in the years to come!