This is what the Indika Reggae Band brings to their fans in every show. The band is proud to back two award winning vocalists, Doggie Ranks, Indika's M.C. as well as one of Chicago's top D.J.'s., and Rasta Kelly, Indika's special guest, singing "Studio One" favorites and "Sweet Lover's Rock" as well as his own original songs. Together, Indika gives their audience the full spectrum of Reggae-flava in the style of Jamaica's Sunsplash Festival.
On Vocals……
Doggie Ranks
Kingston, Jamaica
Vocals
 Doggie is the Indika Reggae Band's D.J. who is very wicked and versatile on the microphone. When Doggie started DJ-ing in Kingston it was on sound systems at parties and in dancehalls. Those sound systems have gone on to become world renown, i.e.; Metro Media, Killamanjaro and Stur Grav. Doggie's uncanny ability to make up lyrics on the spot earned him several singles recorded for a variety of producers, all of which did well on the charts in Jamaica. In the early '80s, Doggie moved to New York City, where he was a big success in the dancehalls. He became very well known within the Jamaican community. Doggie has performed with numerous artists, here in the states as well as abroad. His unique singing style and DJ-ing skills has earned him many awards including; "Best New Entertainer", "Best Male Vocalist", "Best DJ" and "Best Stage Performance" in Chicago, Illinois. This past year, Doggie and Rasta Kelly were both honored as "Best Jamaican DJ" in Chicago. Since Doggie has been incorporated with the Indika Reggae Band, the band has become the biggest sensation to hit Chicago in years.
Rasta Kelly
Kingston, Jamaica
Special Guest - Vocals
Born and raised in Jamaica, Kelly is Ruff and Ready. The minute he hits the stage, you are treated to 100 BPM's of pure energy! He performs a mixture of Dancehall, Hip Hop, Ragamuffin and Roots Reggae. He is one of the new generation of performers that has brought positive lyrics to Dancehalls and Clubs throughout the mid-west. Kelly started singing as a teenager in Kingston for various sound systems such as "Sir Daley," and his father's sound system, "Stereo Tone". He was performing at the Jamaica's Sunsplash with "Mr. Lee's Limited" sound system when they were discovered by the Tamika Record Company who relocated Mr. Lee's whole system to Brooklyn, New York . Kelly spent several years touring the east coast with Mr. Lee before moving to Chicago. He was recently nominated in five categories at the Chicago's Martin Inter-Culture Music Awards and has been honored as "Chicago's Best New Artist", "Most Outstanding Personality","Best Stage Performance" and as "Best DJ" three times. Kelly's new release "Hottie Gal" has been recognized as one of the best in the Windy City. The Chicago Tribune wrote of Rasta Kelly, "Kelly performance was the high note of the 18th Annual Rastafarian Festival in July". Rasta Kelly was also honored this past year along with Doggie Ranks as the "Best Jamaican DJ" in Chicago. With the addition of Kelly to the Indika Reggae Band they will be fronted by a vocal combination unmatched by any other Reggae Band.
The Indika Reggae Band itself has won several music awards in the Windy City. In addition to their own high energy shows, they have also been honored to back international Reggae artists such as Dennis Brown, Frankie Paul, Sugar Minott and U Roy. The Members of Indika developed their talents on the island of Jamaica, giving them an authentic sound. They perform old Reggae favorites with new life, and add to the Reggae world with new original songs. You can hear them weekly performing on TV as Jenny Jones "House Band." Recently they were invited to perform at the Apollo Theatre in New York. If you can't check them out in person, look for their two award winning CD's "Proud 2-B your 'Budd'" and "Live at Exedus ll" at your local record store.
Peter Beaumont
St. Ann, Jamaica
Drums
Born in St. Ann, Jamaica, Peter started playing the drums at the early age of 10 in a local church. Later he moved to Montego Bay, Jamaica. The he played for one of Jamaica's best known steel bands, the Golden Sunshine Steel Band. Peter then spent 10 years performing on cruise ships throughout the Caribbean. In the late 1980's, he relocated to Chicago and began drumming for the Windy City's top Reggae Band, Tony Rebel & Kutchie. In 1992, Peter founded the Indika Reggae Band, considered Chicago's best Reggae Band of the 90s, and has been voted Chicago's Best Drummer.
Mervyn Belisle
Belize City, Belize
Keyboards
Born in Belize, Central America, Mervyn was raised in the Pentecostal Church City Mission. It was here that he first learned to play the guitar, drums, and his current instrument, the keyboards. After playing several years for his church, at age 13, he was invited to play with the Brother David and the Kings Congo band. Later he played with one of Belize's top bands, The Professional Combo. Since moving to Chicago, Mervyn has become a cornerstone of the Indika Reggae Band.
Courtney E. Panton
Portland, Jamaica
Bass
Courtney has been playing music since the age of 10. At the age of 12, he was playing the keyboards with the George Rainbow Gospel Singers band in his home town. At 16, he started playing his current instrument, the bass guitar, for Fresh, one of the hottest Reggae bands in Jamaica. Courtney spent 7 years performing on various cruise ships before moving to Chicago. Courtney has been a very positive addition to the Indika Reggae Band.
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