Franko's long road to fame

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

For more than 20 years, singjay Franko has recorded for several high-profile producers with minimum success, but a song warning youth against a life in crime may have helped him turn the corner.

That song, Badness, was produced by Don Williams for the Reggae Jam Promotions label, which is based in Greenwich Farm, the musically rich area Franko has called home for more than 20 years.

The song has not been a massive hit, but is the deejay's most successful recording to date, receiving a fair amount of airplay on stations like Roots FM and Irie FM.

Franko, whose real name is Livingston Johnson, admits that not getting the big break has been frustrating at times.

"Mi cyaah watch dat though; wi still happy fi dey 'bout an' a blaze the fire," he said.

A saving grace

Badness has been a saving grace for Franko for some time. He wrote the song five years ago and won Roots FM's 'What's The Verdict' contest with it in 2005.

However, it was not until last year that he recorded the single. Early this year, he filmed an accompanying music video.

Franko became part of the Greenwich Farm music scene shortly after moving there as a teenager from Norwood district in St Ann. He first recorded for ska legend Derrick Morgan in 1989, cutting the song Jah Got To Be The One with DJ Matlock.

He has also recorded songs for singer/producers Max Romeo (Wickedness Dem A Preach) and Junior Reid (Break Those Chains).

Romeo was one of the mainstays of the golden age of Greenwich Farm music during the 1970s when he did several hit songs for producer Bunny Lee.

Franko remembers listening to him and other roots performers from 'Farm', such as Prince Alla and Johnny Clarke.

When he is not making the music rounds, Franko finds employment in the auto industry as a 'bodyman'. Recently, he linked with Conrad Robinson of Thuggy Thuggy Records and this partnership has meant an increase in his studio output.

Relationship, Wicked People and Peace and Love Mi Sey are some of the songs he has recorded for Robinson. Franko believes with new management and increased airplay, his breakthrough is not far off.

"Whether now or little later, mi a go bus'. Mi feel it," he said.