Five Questions with Carl ‘Lee King’ Scharschmidt
Published:Friday | August 26, 2022 | 12:11 AM
Like many musicians, Carl ‘Lee King’ Scharschmidt started singing in the Church. However, though the artiste, producer, arranger, and lecturer is from a musical family, he initially viewed music as just a hobby. It wasn’t until he had completed high school that he began to consider professional pursuits. He went on to sharpen his talents with a bachelor’s in music performance from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and spent a year at the Berklee College of Music. Scharschmidt has worked with a number of Jamaica’s best as an arranger and backing vocalist, including Koffee, Shaggy, Chronixx, Christopher Martin, Romain Virgo, Alaine, Sevana, and so many others. We caught up with the talented Scharschmidt in this week’s Five Questions.
1. What dancehall and reggae artistes are you currently listening to?
I like to take my time and listen to a body of work in its entirety so you can still catch me vibing to Koffee’s Gifted and Masicka’s 438 albums at the moment.
2. You are an artiste, producer, lecturer, and arranger. You are also a member of Island Kings. What’s next for Carl ‘Lee King’ Scharschmidt?
I think if I added anything else to my plate right now I’d be wicked to myself. I love all the projects I’m currently a part of, and if I can keep on growing and building these platforms as much as possible, I’d feel pretty fulfilled.
3. Island Kings released their very first single, ‘Champion’, in July. It speaks of the joys of being Jamaican despite the hardships. What do you love most about being Jamaican?
There is absolutely nowhere like Jamaica. I have a two-way tie for this one. I can’t get past our food and our people. I’ve been all over the world, and our food still ranks at the top for me, and I’ve never met a more vibrant and entertaining set of people like our Jamaicans.
4. Your project, The Showroom, brings artistes together. What would be your dream collab?
I’ve always said that if I ever got the chance to work with Toni-Ann Singh or Tessanne in any way, my life would be made. And outside of Jamaica, I’d love to work with Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, or Jazmine Sullivan.
5. You also spent a year at the Berklee College of Music. What was your time like there?
My time at Berklee was life changing. It was at that point in my life where I realised that my gift was truly special. When the best singers and musicians from across the world constantly express how in awe they are of your gift, it does something to you. I returned from that experience the most confident I’ve ever been, and I cherish those times the most to this very day.
BRAWTA: What’s your most fulfilling musical project to date?
It would be really difficult to name just one project as each one holds its special place in my heart, but I’m so grateful to have done work on two tracks on Koffee’s most recent album Gifted as well as Chronixx’s album including I Can, amongst others. I think I’m most fulfilled, though, when I get to hold a mic and just perform on any given stage.