Ryan Ramdial and Damian Chen, former Campion College students, founded Blackheart Disco now Nemesis International in 1991. Nemesis Int'l has evolved from putting the mixer and turntables on a fold out table and having homemade equipment, to owning those distinctive white tweeters, now a distinguishing mark of their presence.

In the beginning Nemesis concentrated their efforts on the more 'uptown' residential areas of St. Andrew, Jamaica but that has since changed, and they have largely overcome the stigma of being an 'uptown sound.' As a young sound, they were also on the receiving end of some 'initiation rites' issued by a few older, more established sounds. The now old and well-used 'rites' included turning down the volume on them, cutting the allotted playing time short and, requiring that Nemesis play first. But Nemesis persevered and their steadfastness and resolve has borne fruit.

Nemesis Int'l now rings out all over Jamaica - and Miami, Florida - with their distinctive musical sound. At the main holiday events on the entertainment calendars, Nemesis appears alongside older heads like Stone Love Movements, Tony "Mentally Ill" Matterhorn, and Renaissance Disco - Nemesis' primary influence and the ones who actually dubbed them 'nemesis.' In fact, Renaissance provided a key guiding hand as Nemesis learned the intricacies of the sound system business. Of course another measure of the far way the Disco has come is the high quality and unique dubs they possess.

The recent move to Florida, headed by Kurt Bennett, has broadened both Nemesis' scope and exposure. They are a mainstay on the Miami entertainment scene but because of their depth - 7 selectors total - they are able to play-out simultaneously in Jamaica and Florida, completely able to satisfy the appetites of their fans and music lovers at large.

Nemesis now a family has grown significantly over the 11-year period. The entourage has grown from a mere five members to a healthy 13-member crew (including selectors, technicians etc…). On the eve of becoming a teenager, Nemesis is poised for bigger and better things as they continue to grow and expand, and to adapt to the ever-changing Jamaican entertainment scene.

 

Edited By | Renée-Lauren Ellis (rlellis@partyinc.com)
Date | May 2002