Ishmel Mcanuff
Ishmel Mcanuff (aka: Little Lion, Little Dragon, Trouble Double, et Kenniyata, Ishmael, Ishmel, and Macklaw) was born July 27, 1984 in Kingston Jamaica. Ishmel is the son of reggae great Winston Mcanuff and Viviene Johnson.
Coming from a musical family Ishmel was on stage from an early age. During Reggae Sunsplash 1987 at 2 ½ years old while his dad was performing, Ishmel was also on stage watching and waiting. He caught his dad’s eyes and asked for the mic. His father stopped and gave him the mic.
Ishmel fearlessly approached the crowd smiling, waving, and dancing, and then gave the mic back to his dad.
This moment is etched in his earliest memories and is a testament to his charismatic performances to this day. At 7 years old, with the encouragement of his mother, he started DJing at parties and events, and at 9 he began writing and singing his own songs.
At 10 Ishmel recorded his first song titled; “Me Ah Old Don” at Matic Studio in Christiana, Manchester. Living in Kingston, violence was very high, so he left Kingston and moved to the country in Christiana Manchester. In 1996 at Treasure Beach St. Elizabeth, Ishmel (going by the stage name “Little Lion”) opened for Dennis Brown, Culture and Tyrone Taylor.
Ishmel’s talent for music, and comfortable stage presence, also helped him win The Best Junior Actor in “Jamaica Gold” while attending Jamaica’s Knox College 1998. In that same year he continued his musical journey, opening for Bounty Killer and Baby Cham at Fayers Entertainments Mandeville, now going by the stage name; “Trouble Double”.
In year 2000 Ishmel was the winner of the GT Taylor Red Label competition. Since then, Ishmel has not stopped moving forward with his musical career, recording and touring in Europe extensively. Ishmel Mcanuff has his own naturally inspired style and is a charismatic performer that is sometimes compared to Sizzla, Capleton, and Jah Mason.
In 2006 Ishmel released “Nuh Worry Your Mind” on Lee Scratch Perry’s Row Fisherman Riddim. The song was well received by his growing fanbase. Later he recorded several songs including “Who” on the Wet Clothes Riddim for Pink Panther of the Blackkat Sound, “Work Hard” for M&M Step Up Records at Bermuda, “The Road” on the Addiction Riddim by Flavor Squad production. He also was featured with his father Winston McAnuff and the Baz Baz Orchestra on the album Kingston Love produced by Step Two which was released in May 2006.
In 2011 he released “The System” on the album Secret of Living produced by James Manko. Other works includes a feature with Broussaï on the song “Rebel Music” from the album Kingston Town released in October 2012, and a collaboration with Jahson Murphy of Rootstime Production with the song “Time A Get Tough” on the Rootstime Riddim.
His lates release comes on the remake of the Satta Massagana Riddim where he teamed up with his father Winston Mcanuff, his sister Nadia Mcanuff, and Calvin Flowers of Manatee Records to record “Who Build These Guns” which was released on April 16, 2021. Who Build These Guns is an intriguing blend of Roots, Pop, Fold and Rock Reggae and ballads. Lyrically it’s rich in emotional content and melodically comfortable in Ishmel’s signature style.
Ishmel is currently sitting on 3 releases, ‘Peace’, ‘Punani Work’ and ‘Woi Ya Woi’. His most recent release sees him combine his Jamaican and African Roots and is a formidable showcase of not only his diverse talents, but his ability to transcend cultural boundaries with his music. Stay tuned for further release details, including tour dates in a city near you. In the meantime, jump into Ishmel’s musical diary by heading to his Spotify.
Connect with ISHMEL On SOCIAL MEDIA
Music Catalog
Beautiful music is the art that can calm the agitations of the soul. Music is healing. Music is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents of the creation. Take a sneak-peak and vibe on some great music in Ishmel Music Catalog. And remember to sign up to our monthly newsletter.
