ARTISTS
SHOW IN SHOPAs a resident of one of Jamaica’s most infamous urban communities, FiNN lived for many years at the base of the majestic Warieka Hill, in ‘Back bush’ Kingston. FiNN combatted the daily stresses & temptations of urban life by focusing on music. He drew inspiration from the local music scene and from age 7 performed with nyabingi drummers, Mento* musicians, (Mento is a Jamaican folk-music form) and on local sound systems.
When young FiNN returned to England in his early teens, he continued his musical education by joining many sound systems, where he continued to develop his unique vocal and lyrical style. As an emcee, his abilities won him much praise, but soon he found a new challenge in the form of Hip-Hop. A new name was needed, and because Andrew Ward felt he was running away from the reggae scene, he borrowed his title from another famous runaway; Huckleberry Finn and a legend was born: HuntKillBury Finn. Hip-Hop offered young Andrew Ward a chance to explore his artistry in ways that were more reflective of his life in Britain.
After several years and 3 albums with KATCH 22 on the influential and pioneering Kold Sweat label, FiNN set about launching a solo career. Prior to the launch of his debut EP, FiNN fronted 2 metal bands (Band Substance and Toy) and worked with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under composer Tunde Jegede. In 1999, Finn began a solo career with the release of the critically-acclaimed ‘Mummy’s Little Soldier’ EP. With this work, FiNN established the beginnings of his foray into organic hip-hop. Intent on expanding his musical repertoire and pushing the boundaries of hip-hop, FiNN continued developing his own unique sound, steeped in the acoustic and digital traditions. The ‘Mummy’s Little Soldier’ release heralded not only his return to form, but stood as an introduction to a new and improved artist. With the debut recording complete, FiNN began working on the follow-up: the ‘Vitalistics’ album.
While developing the ‘Vitalistics’ project, FiNN continued to collaborate with a variety of artists across a range of genres and reaching new creative heights, recording with with Norwich based hip-hop outfit Def Tex, underground dance production team Dem 2, gigging extensively with Jazz quintet No Flags, drum n bass band J B Rose, while still regularly performing with The Tunde Jegede Ensemble in collaboration with orchestras such as The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Viva Sinfonia and The N.W.R. chamber orchestra on the classical music scene. A consummate performer, he had already by that stage over 300 gigs under his belt.
Since the release of 'Vitalitics' in 2002 to widespread acclaim, Finn has gone on to self-release a steady stream of albums and his deep creativity shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon..
