Len Hammond

b. 1970, Port Maria, St. Mary, Jamaica, West Indies. Hammond is part of the musical dynasty that includes his father Winston Hammond, Beres Hammond and his cousin Yogie. In his formative years the young Hammond developed a keen interest in music, which he pursued after emigrating with his family to Canada. With his father and Jackie Mittoo, he embarked on his recording career performing reggae versions of popular standards. In 1993, he had a hit with his own composition, ‘Just The Other Night’, released through Yogie’s Fi Wi Music label. The song was notably successful in his adopted home of Toronto where it reached the Top 10. The success of his single resulted in sessions in Jamaica with the Cell Block crew, who released the observant ‘Watching Your Programme’. The song matched its predecessor in terms of achievement and led to a number of live performances in Toronto supporting artists such as Merciless, Spragga Benz and Determine. In 1996, Hammond returned to the recording studio with Yogie to provide tracks for the release of a Fi Wi Music compilation. In addition to promoting his recording career, Hammond has also written songs for other performers including his brother Junior Hammond and Singing Melody. In March 2001, Len Hammond won a second JUNO award in Canada for his self-titled album, his first award was in 1996. Having found his niche with songwriting, he maintains a respectable position within his career.