General B

General B, real name Dave Parkes, was born in Kingston in 1972 and grew up between Seaview, Waterhouse, Rose Lane and Waltham Park. He used to hang out with many Seaview DJs, General Trees among them, which is where his name comes from: he took the rank of "General" and added the letter B, for "Baby", as the youngest of the crew.

Around 1995 he founded the Monster Shack Crew with Ghost and Roundhead, one of the best-known collectives in Jamaica, awarded several times as "Best Crew" and "Best Dressed". The crew released its first album, Monster Shack Party, in 1998.

General B writes his own lyrics. He made his name with Nicky, Bad Inna Your New Clothes and Mr Boasty & Friends, then with The Business, a combination with Patchy on the Jocker riddim, for a Shocking Vibes sub-label. He also produces on his own label, Monster Shack Music. He has recorded for most of the major producers, from Collin Fatta to True Blue, Steely & Clevie and Jammy's, cut a hip-hop track, If Me Did Know, for the New York label Tell Him Fi Go, and a combination with Roundhead for Oracabessa Records, UB40's label.

His favourite DJs are still Professor Nuts and Papa San. Involved in community projects, including the Stay in School Project, he sees himself as a positive role model for young people. In early 2001 he was working on a solo album.