Skibu

b. Gladstone Foster, 1964, Handsworth, Birmingham, England. Inspired by both his sister and his Jamaican roots Foster followed the Eternal Youth sound system. He was interested in the music industry but completed his studies and later qualified as a teacher. In 1987, his part-time interest in the music industry resulted in widespread encouragement and his sadly overlooked recording debut, ‘The One I Adore’. Put off by his initial experience within the music industry he joined the Kokuma Dance Company and for the following nine years toured globally. In 1996, the group branched out and Foster, with four colleagues from the group, formed the African Cultural Exchange. Following the group’s demise in May 1998, Foster spent two months with the London-based Badejo Arts collective before returning to Handsworth. He formed a successful allegiance with Rainsford Douglas who had worked with artists such as Jackie Mittoo, Peter Spence and Ken Parker. Foster recorded under the alias of Skibu and released ‘Your Smile’, ‘God Almighty’ and ‘True Friends’. In July 1999, his debut, Surround Me With Love, was greeted with critical acclaim. The album featured his earlier hits and a version of Burning Spear’s ‘Christopher Columbus (Was A Dam And Blasted Liar)’. The singer embarked on a series of tours and his releases through Douglas revived an interest in UK reggae. By the following year Skibu’s career was in overdrive with global rave reviews and the success of his cover version of Hugh Mundell’s ‘My Mind’. Skibu’s popularity has continued to prosper and he enjoyed further acclaim with the release of ‘Show Love’. © TiVo