Lezlee Lyrix is the stage name of Prof William Lez Henry. He began his life as a Reggae performer on New Year’s Day 1982 on the world-famous Saxon Sound System, in a Blues Dance at 51 Lewisham Way, New Cross, Southeast London, England. Interestingly enough, the venue was called '51 Storm'; named after the devastation caused by 'Hurricane Charlie' to the Island of Jamaica  and many other countries in 1951. The naming of the venue in this way is important for it speaks to how alternative histories can be shared in ways that are somewhat 'hidden', and Lezlee was to thrive in these alternative public spaces.

 

Lezlee speaks of his love for writing poetry and prose from as long as he can remember, but it was when his friend Everton introduced him to a cassette recording of the Jamaican Deejay General Echo, performing on Stereophonic Sound System in 1978, he started to write lyrics. This was because for him, and many other performers, General Echo was totally unique; his vocal dexterity, intellect, wit and lyricism meant that he successfully bridged the gap between slackness, culture and the comedic in his live performances. Echo was sadly killed in 1980, yet his seminal role in Lezlee’s development was telling and led to him becoming one of the pioneer British Reggae Deejays who is renown as one of the most original lyricists the UK has produced.

 

Lezlee has performed both nationally and internationally and was a co-owner of ‘Ghetto-tone Sound System’ and later performed on ‘Frontline International’ and ‘Diamonds The Girls Best Friend’ during the 1980s. He has several recorded releases across a range of musical genres and has worked with record labels and producers like Tony Henry on their Ghetto-tone Label Records; Greensleeves UK Bubblers, Simon Harris on ‘Music of Life’ and ‘Living Beat Records’; Law and Auder; Godwin Logie; and the late, great, Mikey ‘Mad’ Simpson on MCS Records.