Denmark-based entertainer returns with ‘Dreaming of You’

As a chef, he is known as Chris Pinder, but as a singjay, he uses the moniker Julius (The Dancehall Caesar), to deliver music that spans multiple genres. Based in Denmark for more than two decades, Julius, who is originally from St Thomas and east Kingston, used to ply his trade as a reggae disc jockey at nights for more than seven years, when he was based in the city of Aarhus. That is, until his focused shifted to establishing his own restaurant and introducing island cuisine in a tantalising way to the Danish people.

“I introduced the Danes to oxtail, Jamaican patties ... beef, vegetable ... turn cornmeal, curry goat, run down, and a variety of truly Jamaican dishes which they have come to love. When it comes to drinks, my customers can’t get enough of the Grace Tropical Rhythm juices, but it can be a challenge getting them here in Denmark,” shared the chef/entertainer, who first visited Denmark in 1999 and returned in 2002 to set down roots.

He likes the fact that there is a growing reggae space in Denmark and mentioned that Phar Phar is the biggest artiste and producer currently in that European country.

“Although the reggae scene may not be considered that but, there are artistes who can definitely pull a crowd. Sean Paul was here in 2015 and 2017 and both times the events were sold out. The biggest promoter is Sky Juice ... he’s from Jamaica ... and there are a few clubs that have reggae events, but now they tend to mix it in with Afrobeats,” Julius (The Dancehall Caesar) explained.

Currently at a place where he has balanced his rhythm perfectly, Julius has found time to make another serious foray into music and, on March 22, he excitedly released his first song in 10 years. Titled Dreaming of You, the self-produced single was mixed and mastered by Mario ‘Mad Syantic’ Lawrence and it has been receiving airplay in Jamaica and Denmark.

“Everybody who listens to it says that the song has a Country and Western sound, but that was not my intention at all ... and to be honest, I am not hearing that. To me, it is a reggae song,” Julius told The Gleaner. “But ... yuh know, that’s not a bad thing, especially with Beyonce making big moves with her country and western album ... ears are tuned to that genre even moreso now.”

The Vauxhall Secondary and Runaway Bay HEART alum, who made the studios in Kingston his second home while living in Jamaica, has the release of his seven-song EP as one of his goals for 2024. Already, the follow-up single for Dreaming of You has been recorded, mixed and mastered and could be released the end of this month. He is also planning the release of the music videos for both singles.

“I am using a Jamaican team out of Jamaica to do the video for Dreaming of You. I want it to have that real island feel. I am on a roll now and the music is just flowing, so I am putting in the work right now. I listen to a lot of Bob Marley, Tenor Saw, Garnet Silk, Beres Hammond, Stephen Marley, but I am a big fan Mikie Bennett and I try to write song like him so if this album can show I have even five per cent of his talent then I am happy,” Julius Caesar declared.

Born in St Thomas, Julius Caesar began selecting for Red Eagle sound system in Lyles district in the parish and began penning lyrics in his notebooks. He used to frequent studios including Penthouse, Mixing Lab, Grafton, Anchor and Arrows, seeking his break, while hanging out with Natural Black.

“There were a lot of entertainers on the scene ... Frankie Sly, Daddy Screw, Wayne Wonder ... people used to tell me that my voice was as heavy as Shabba’s, but I was not really into deejaying. The good thing was that in those days there were elders around to guide you. The first person who gave me lessons on how to deejay on a rhythm was Parano of Caveman Sound System. Caveman himself was a nice person to deal with and as a young artiste they made you feel comfortable,” Julius Caesar recalled.

His first single, Show-Off, was released in 2005.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com