A true veteran of the UK’s urban music scene, and still one of the most sought-after MCs in the country.
Paul Scott Levy was born at Central Middlesex Hospital, in NW10, London, England, in 1971. He spent most of his childhood in the vibrant areas of Harlesden and Wembley, surrounded by a diverse mix of Caribbean, European, Asian, and African influences. Growing up in a community deeply shaped by reggae music and Black culture, he developed a combative spirit from an early age, alongside a profound love and respect for "rebel" music.
He was also inspired by his older brother, Winston Irie, who owned an extensive record collection—ranging from ska and rocksteady to calypso, soul, hip hop, and reggae—which provided General Levy with a solid musical foundation throughout his teenage years. In 1981, he began collecting dancehall tapes from sound systems in Jamaica and the UK. These proved to be a major source of inspiration, as they captured the live atmosphere of sound system sessions on cassette tapes—a format he soon became an avid collector of.
This was the first of many sound systems with which General Levy would be involved. Later, he worked with several sound systems in Northwest London, such as Stonebridge’s "Vigilante" and "Java Nuclear Power"—the latter being where he first met Joe 90 and his crew. However, it was with TipperTone Sound that General Levy truly made his mark on the UK MC circuit. There, he built a reputation as a creative and talented MC, and after a few years on the circuit, he was soon offered the opportunity to record in the studio.