Gussie Clarke, born Augustus Clarke on March 26, 1954, in rural Jamaica, is a prominent figure in the Jamaican music industry. Orphaned at a young age, he was adopted by Miss Iris Robinson of Kingston, who supported his education. Displaying entrepreneurial skills early in life, Clarke started a bicycle-ride business as a teenager, using the proceeds along with saved lunch money to venture into the music world. He built his own sound system, King Gussie Hi-Fi, and became known for importing records and providing exclusive tracks to sound systems.
By the age of 18, in 1972, Clarke had embarked on a career as a record producer. His first single with legendary DeeJay U-Roy, “The Higher The Mountain,” marked the start of his successful journey in music production. Clarke is credited with producing crucial records for various outstanding Jamaican artists such as U-Roy, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Shabba Ranks, contributing to hits like “Telephone Love” and “Rumours.”
Known for his professionalism and efficient administration, Clarke was a pioneer in issuing regular royalty statements to artists and engaging in music publishing. He established the famous Music Works studio in 1987, which became a center for producing chart-topping music. His keen judgment of character and natural gifts as a motivator and mentor have made him a respected figure in the music industry, known for his commitment to quality and innovation.
He has worked with VP Music Group’s 17 North Parade imprint and
Greensleeves Records to release four full-length projects.