Nash Lawson – He Really Does It All

I get a chance to meet many interesting people through my travels in Jamaica, but none that do quite as much as Nash Lawson aka DJ Turbo. He’s a DJ / Singer / Writer / Producer / Bar owner and I found him the same way I find everyone in Jamaica…..by accident. I’m always doing something completely different from what I end up doing in any given day, which is why you’ll always hear me say, “I have no agenda”.

About 5 weeks into the 7 weeks I just spent in Jamaica I discovered Whitter Village which is the closest place to where I was living in Montego Bay so I don’t know how it took me so long to just go there and discover it. I heard there was a cafe that had great breakfast there so I did the 20 minute walk that morning, ordered my omlette and sat at an outdoor table waiting on my breakfast. The first thing that hit me was the most amazing cool vibes that were coming from a DJ under a gazebo in the courtyard of the shopping village. The reason the music hit me was because it was all mainstream hip hop beats remixed with jazz and I was intrigued. These songs were the ultimate in remixes! I’m a music-head and not many of you know but I studied music production so I always need to know about it when I hear something awesome. As I sat looking over the second floor railing at the DJ I just needed my breakfast to come so I could eat and go down there and talk to him. I needed to know where he got these tunes!

So after eating I went downstairs and strutted right up onto the stage area where he was playing and introduced myself. I loved that he immediately welcomed me and pulled up a chair beside him. I broke the ice by telling him my son is a DJ and I’ve been recording sound clips on my Blackberry and sending them back home while I sat there. I know my son would have loved this! The next topic of conversation was his DJ setup – two turntables and his Mac that was running Serrato. My son taught me to spin music using Serrato. I know none of this means anything to most of you but it was a cool connection for me and I just wished my son was there!

I’m not sure if Nash found me annoying that day because I hung out for hours – I couldn’t tear myself away from these awesome tracks he was playing. But we chatted a lot in that time and I went back to the same place a few days in the coming week. Over those days I learned that he basically works 9-5 at this location playing these great tracks in the early part of the day, and changes up to more mainstream reggae tunes for the latter part of the days. I could sit at this shopping village every single day listening to the music. It has a nice easy feel to it and is a classy addition to the place….a shopping center with real ambiance.

What I also learned is that Nash Lawson is a reggae singer and songwriter. A LOT of people in Jamaica have told me they are reggae artists so I take it with a grain of salt but when he pulled up Youtube on his Mac and gave me his headphones I was pleasantly surprised. He actually CAN sing and actually has what I consider to be some great songs! One of my favorites is below.

As if it isn’t enough that he sings and plays, he also owns a bar in Falmouth, Trelawny. One of the days I came down to hear him play at the shopping center he invited me to jump in his car and head to Falmouth to see the bar. I’ll do anything to go on the road and see something new so off we went. Nash told me he’s had this bar for quite some time now but at this time it was closed down for renovations. He’s putting a kitchen inside to complement the already cool spot. It’s in a great location only blocks from the cruise ship dock in Falmouth and has a pool table and plenty of space to move. I was actually jealous of the place because if I were to own a bar in Jamaica this would be what I want mine like. I didn’t take any inside photos because of the renovations but trust me, if you’re in Falmouth at some point look for The Hub Sports Bar. It’s going to be a great spot when it reopens.

And just because I told you he does it all I also need to mention that he throws an annual event called Off Tha Wall which sounds like a crazy cool event! This year the event was actually a few days after I met him but I had planned a different party in Ocho Rios so I was unable to attend. Below is a photo I stole off his Facebook Page from the party and it looks totally like something I should have been at!  He’s also played at Pier 1, Sumfest, Half Moon…just to name a few!

 

If you’re ever in the Ironshore area of Montego Bay, particularly the Whitter Village shopping center (same place where Harley Davidson and Payless Shoes are) you need to look for Nash and at least enjoy the music he’s playing that day.  But you should also hit him up on Facebook to find out where else he’s playing.  The man has a laid back, down to earth personality and it’s been a pleasure hanging out for such a short time and getting to know him.  He’s been in the business longer than anyone I know in Jamaica so far so if you’re planning a party or a show he has every piece of music ever made – old and new, any style you want.   EMAIL NASH LAWSON here.

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