Barrington “Barry” King is an international DJ and music industry insider. Growing up, his father Prince Bert and Uncle Jim Daddy (Universal Sound) were “Sound System Pioneers” of the first cultural London underground music scene. 

The basement of Prince Bert’s four-story house was transformed every Friday through Sunday night into a Shubin (house party), where great sound systems like Sir Coxsone, Duke Reid, and Soparno B amongst others would entertain the crowd till the early morning. Prince Bert and his four brothers were all students of Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica. Many of the greatest Jamaican singers and musicians’ studies at Alpha, including some of his notable classmates Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso (formally of The Skatalites), and Tommy McCook.

Barry was exposed to the music industry at an early age, as his Uncle Jim ran the 711 GO GO nightspot on Kennington Lane, Vauxhall in London in 1965. Many sound system’s & musical artists performed and were exposed there including Prince Buster, Millie Small and Carl Douglas to name a few. 

In 1972, Barry’s parents bought an Off License called Emma P’s on Railton Rd in Brixton London, We supplied many Sounds System owners who would obtain their drinks for the weekend schedule. Growing up amongst this business accruement inspired a young Barry to join Front Line International Sound System with top Dub playing selector Natty, paving the way in breaking new music seven nights a week. With one thing leading to another and Barry’s increasing love of music, led him to work in many eclectic and diverse sectors of the industry.

In 1987, Barry joined pirate radio station PRS Radio run by Reggae artist Bruce Ruffin “The Techniques.” He played soul and funk every Saturday 12pm-2pm GMT and curated radio shows on Sky, Twilight, and Genesis Radio. Barry also furthered his skills by gaining a sound engineering diploma at the Islington Music Workshop.

In the early 90’s, Barry’s professional skills were showcased in retail working for the world-renowned Black-Market Records shop in Soho London W1. Selling the best in Soul, Funk, Jazz, House, Afro, Latin, Hip-Hop, Reggae and RnB to the underground influencers and profiled DJ’s from around the globe. Using this outlet, he quickly became known for supplying the best music for radio shows and club dates. He joined Wyld Pytch Records Store & Hype Promotions company Lexington St Soho in 1997, Pushing new music in the record store & in the back office promoting urban music and dance acts for major and independent labels and delivering projects directly into the hands of the UK’s top DJ’s and club promoters.

During the late-90’s through the mid-2000’s, Barry had a twelve-year legal residency on the leading Soul internet and Sky digital music station of the times Solar Radio, breaking up and coming quality artists like Ledisi, Raheem DaVaughn, Jazmine Sullivan, Dwele, and Goapele. These great artists, as well as many major and independent artists from the USA, Canada, UK, were exposed, played, and interviewed in the early stages of their careers on Barry’s pioneering show. 

Barry also secured further radio stints at Kiss FM 100 on Fat Freddie M’s show, Starpoint Radio (from 2009-2011), and Colourful Radio (from 2012-2014). In addition, Barry created and wrote the article, “Dubwise,” and personally chose twelve tracks for its review chart in Echoes Magazine, formally known as Black Echoes. Traveling from London to Jamaica and the USA, Barry imported and sold unreleased and fresh promo music to various distributors and records shops, as well as working on a compilation called ‘The Review’ with T Hat (Raphael Saadiq’s cousin) and Omar Khalif.

Barry’s musical prowess has graced many venues in the UK like the Jazz Cafe, Cargo; as well as other residencies for various US and UK acts including, Marc Mac (4Hero), Raheem DeVaughn, Peven Everett, Maimouna Youssef, Jazmine Sullivan, ESKA and UK Hip-Hop pioneer TY whom Barry DJ’d for while he was touring Europe and the USA. Barry also had a DJ residency for open mic sessions hosted by the Escoffery Sisters’ club night called Kindred Spirit (2002-2009) and for Natalie Williams’s Soul Family night.

Barry is regularly invited to travel to the USA to play for high profile and corporate events including the ‘Master of The Mix’ finale party sponsored by Smirnoff (Washington DC). Barry’s experience also includes DJ-ing for the unique and evolving band Foreign Exchange at The Assembly Hall (Brooklyn/New York), ABB Records’ promotional party at the Winter Music Conference (Miami, FL), Ashford & Simpson’s ‘Sugar Bar’ (New York City, alongside Lady Alma, Taihisha Salaam, Yazarah and Jazmine Sullivan who showcased their talents on various nights).

With Barry’s valuable life-long experience, varied skills, and universal networking, he is fully qualified to assist with projects in the entertainment industry and is dedicated to helping develop successful ventures now and beyond.