“Make Up Your Mind” available everywhere: https://cordae.lnk.to/MUYM

KGTO (kuh-gee-tow) is a DJ/Producer Duo based out of Dallas, Tx.

 The story of UB40, and how this group of young friends from Birmingham transcended their working-class origins to become the world’s most successful reggae band is not the stuff of fairytales as might be imagined. The group’s led a charmed life in many respects it’s true, but it’s been a long haul since the days they’d meet up in the bars and clubs around Moseley, and some of them had to scrape by on less than £8 a week unemployment benefit. The choice was simple if you’d left school early. You could either work in one of the local factories, like Robin Campbell did, or scuffle along aimlessly whilst waiting for something else to happen.

By the summer of 1978, something else did happen, and the nucleus of UB40 began rehearsing in a local basement. Robin’s younger brother Ali, Earl Falconer, Brian Travers and James Brown all knew each other from Moseley School of Art, whilst Norman Hassan had been a friend of Ali’s since school. Initially, they thought of themselves as a "jazz-dub-reggae" band, but by the time Robin was persuaded to join and they’d recruited Michael Virtue and Astro – who’d learnt his craft with Birmingham sound-system Duke Alloy – the group had already aligned themselves to left-wing political ideals and forged their own identity, separate from the many punk and Two Tone outfits around at that time. The group had nailed their colours to the mast by naming themselves after an unemployment benefit form. Their political convictions hadn’t been gleaned second hand either, but cemented in place whilst attending marches protesting against the National Front, or rallies organised by Rock Against Racism.

By the time Chrissie Hynde invited them to tour with the Pretenders during the summer of 1980 and their debut single "King b/w Food For Thought" had sailed into the UK Top 5, all the essential elements of UB40 were already in place. Their line-up will remain unchanged for almost thirty years, and they will continue playing a mix of original material and inspired choice of reggae covers in a style that’s instantly accessible with its bright melodies and sweeping horn arrangements – one that’s allied to a formidable rhythm section, capable of holding its own with anything from Jamaica.

UB40’s first album was released the following September, on Graduate Records. Their deal allowed them more creative freedom than if they had signed with a major label. The cover artwork memorably duplicated an unemployment benefit card, with the title "Signing Off" rubber-stamped in red, but it was the music that quickly worked its way into the affections of a young, mainly student crowd with its knowing lyrics, solid reggae rhythms and dubby, instrumental passages, offset by warm horn solos and Jamaican style scatting. There was nothing else like it at the time. As a multi-cultural band from Birmingham, UB40 weren’t drawn into trying to sound "authentic," and there was considerably more depth to their music than that of many punk and 2Tone bands. "I’m a British subject, not proud of it, whilst I carry the burden of shame," they sang on one of the tracks. Accepting the truth of their own situation amidst a sea of other reggae songs proclaiming black heritage gave us a valuable insight into where UB40 were coming from. They were unafraid to stand up and be counted, and British audiences instinctively loved them for it. "Signing Off" duly went to No. 2 in the UK and stayed on the nation’s album charts for 72 weeks.

On September 2nd, 2013, UB40 released their latest album ‘Getting Over The Storm’ on Universal/Virgin Records.

Born July 2nd in Guelph, Ontario, Canada a.k.a. The Royal City.  Addiction to music from a young age would lead to a love of dance, choir, stage musicals and acoustic guitar.  Like most kids growing up in the 80's and 90's music was in an explosion phase with seemingly new genres every year.  An early love of Folk and Pop lead to a Rap and Punk music phase but Red Lion always appreciated a good rhythm, solid bass and a story in his music. 

Started spinning Jungle records in 1998 as a then student of DJ's King Pin, Leroy Brown and Quartz who later, along with Red Lion, formed the Royal City Jungle Alliance or ROCJA.  Also in 1998, he began working (alongside some close friends) for Toronto's Lifeforce Industries. Aiding in the promotion and production of such legendary Toronto events as Connected, Freakin', Bittersweet, W.E.M.F. Lifeforce Fridays, Turbo Fridays, I-Dance and of course the Dose and Syrous Anniversary parties. 

Over the years Red Lion has opened for legends of the scene such as Andy C, DJ Hype, Doc Scott, Aphrodite, Ed Rush & Optical & Jumping Jack Frost to name a few.  A regular at the World Electronic Music Festival (WEMF) since 1999 as well as the infamous Harvest Festival in Ontario at the end of each summer.  

Displaced from Ontario's GTA in 2020 during the pandemic Red Lion now finds himself living in Squamish British Columbia.  Jungle, Drum and Bass is a true passion that has blossomed over the last few decades of his life and he looks forward to being involved in any capacity as the music and the movement in Canada continues to grow.

Shouts out to the Lifeforce Family, Harvest Festival Community, Syrous & Renegade's Crew, Dose Productions, Promise, Highgrade, alienInFlux, Destiny, Junglist Movement and Numba 3 Crews. Thanks for all the continued support over the years!

Rihanna is an Academy Award nominated and Grammy winning artist, philanthropist, and businesswoman, recognized as one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. She holds the record for the most Diamond-certified RIAA singles by any female artist. All of her studio albums have achieved Platinum or Multi-Platinum status, including Good Girl Gone Bad, Loud, and Anti, cementing her legacy as a music industry legend. Beyond her musical achievements, Rihanna is celebrated for her humanitarian involvement, entrepreneurship, and fashion industry influence. She established the Clara Lionel Foundation in honor of her grandparents, focusing on investing in community-led solutions across the Caribbean, East Africa, and the US South. She is also one of the most influential moguls in beauty, cosmetics, and fashion, with her trail blazing and culture shifting companies: Fenty Beauty, Fenty Hair and Savage X Fenty.

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