An archival interview with Yen Records’ engineer Yasuhiko Terada along with some words from Hosono himself on SFX. The following interviews were originally featured in the book Haruomi […]
Watch: Bullwackie In New York (1984)

A near hour-long showcase style documentary on Lloyd Barnes’ legendary Bronx-based reggae label.
One of the most iconic reggae labels around, Wackies was founded in 1976 by Prince Buster protégé Lloyd “Bullwackie” Barnes. Originally from Trenchtown, Bullwackie had grown up alongside friends Alton Ellis, Peter Tosh, Toots, and Ken Boothe but relocated to the Bronx in 1967 with his family. Not long after, he formed the foundations of Wackies through his sound system (Bullwackie’s Disco) and a four-track studio located in a damp basement on 211th Street. The label would become a central hub for reggae artists living in New York City and release cult classics from the likes of Horace Andy, Love Joys, Wayne Jarrett, Sugar Minott, Keith Hudson, and others.
Bullwackie In New York is a little-known documentary showcasing Bullwackie’s vision and the community of artists surrounding the label. Perfect viewing for the holiday season, the documentary opens with Maxine Miller performing her Christmas reggae classic “What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas” with the Bullwackie’s All Stars. The film also features scenes of Bullwackie playing cricket, a fashion show soundtracked by Annette Brissette, pickup basketball in Queens, along with performances from Sugar Minott, Love Joys, Itopia, Ras Clifton, Milton Henry, and others.
“Great musicians right now still don’t play it. They just can’t understand the simplicity in reggae. That’s the problem. Reggae is great music. Very simple and very great.”
Lloyd Barnes (BUllwackie)
For a deep dive on Wackies, we highly recommend reading Ransom Note’s primer here, New York Times’ 2020 feature on Lloyd Barnes: 40 Years Later, Reggae’s Heart Still Beats in the Bronx, and Red Bull Music Academy’s feature tracing the connection between the label and Berlin’s Rhythm & Sound.
Lloyd Barnes: “Music is a message. It’s a feeling that you try to translate… You try to send out a message that there are people out there who care. It’s not just the music. The music is important, but the people are too. It’s all tied in together… There’s not too many people who really do take the time to try and help the other people.”

Tracks played in the video:
- Milton Henry – No Turning Back
- Horace Andy – Money Money
- Maxine Miller – What Do The Lonely Do
- Mikey Jarrett – Play The Ball
- Sugar Minott – Good Thing Going
- Ras Clifton – Tired Of Living In Babylon
- Milton Henry – Blue Moon
- Maxine Miller – Someone Like You
- Sugar Minott – Riddim: Think It Over
- Lone Ranger – Sweet Reggae Music
- Inner Harvest – Jazzy Jam
- Anette Brissette – Betrayed
- Chosen Brothers – Dancing In The Rain
- Wayne Jarrett – Bubble Up
- Milton Henry – Sweet Melody
- Horace Andy – Gimme Gimme
- Itopia Band – That’s Not All
- Jerry Harris – Spreading All Over
- Anette Brissette – Jumping Up And Down
- Jah Batta – Trickey Girl
- Jerry Johnson – Rockfort Rock
- Love Joys – Lock Tight
- Mikey Jarrett – Got a Hold On Me
- Carlton Livingston – Reggae Medley
- Sugar Minott – Wicked Ago Feel It
- Chosen Brothers – Mash Down Babylon