Tarik Johnston (born 12 April, 1988), commonly known as Rvssian (formerly spelt as Russian), is a Jamaican record producer, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur. Rvssian is the founder of Head Concussion, a music production company situated in Kingston, Jamaica. Rvssian rose to popularityRUSSIAN'S MUSICAL REVOLUTION – Entertainment
JamaicaObserver.com (21 February 2014). Retrieved on 9 December 2015. shortly after producing

Vybz Kartel Adidja Azim Palmer (born 7 January 1976), better known as Vybz Kartel, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall recording artist, composer, record producer, and entrepreneur. Among his various nicknames, he is referred to as "Worl' Boss". As summarize ...

's "Life Sweet" in 2010. He followed up with "Straight Jeans and Fitted" (a collaboration with Vybz Kartel), "Pull Up To Mi Bumper" (featuring

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and J Capri) and "Passion Whine" (featuring

Sean Paul Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques OD (born 9 January 1973) is a Jamaican rapper and singer who is regarded as one of dancehall's most prolific artists. Paul's singles " Get Busy" and "Temperature" topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart in the ...

and Puerto Rican singer

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), a single which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (

RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/ ...

) on October 3, 2014.

Early life

Tarik 'Rvssian' Johnston who is from a musical family in Jamaica has had an interest in music from an early age, learning to play the piano and drums from his father Michael 'Micron' Johnston, the founder of Micron Music Limited. In December 2007, Rvssian decided to set up Head Concussion Records, a music production studio located in Kingston, Jamaica. After graduating from Ardenne High School, Rvssian enrolled in the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. It was during this period that he met Vybz Kartel through fellow producers Jordan McClure (Chimney Records) and Stephen ' Di Genius' McGregor. In 2008, Rvssian created his first rhythm "Liberty Riddim", which featured

' "Ago Kill Me" and

's "Nah Hold We Down". Two years later, Rvssian produced "Life Sweet" for

. To develop his music career further, Rvssian decided to leave the Edna Manley College for Visual and Performing Arts.

Working with Vybz Kartel

In the wake of 2010, Rvssian and

teamed up on the single "Straight Jeans and Fitted." The song received over 25 million views on

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and went on to win "Favorite Music Collaboration" in the February 2011 Youth View Awards. AwardJPG

In 2010, rumors of a dispute between Rvssian and

surfaced but the two artistes were quick to dispel the reports. The duo also worked together on "Get Gyal Anywhere", "Cure Fi Badmind", "Look Pon We" and "New Jordans" (feat. Rvssian). The latter, released in 2014 was recorded before

went to prison. The two have since continued to work together and Rvssian has released a series of singles by Vybz Kartel including "Ever Blessed", "Kremlin", "Hi" and "Mamacita" (featuring J Capri), all released after Kartel's incarceration.

Head Concussion Records

Shortly after forming Head Concussion Records in December 2007, Rvssian released a number of songs, working with notable dancehall acts like

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, Tarrus Riley and Blak Ryno. He released Kartel's hit single "Life Sweet", which was followed by dancehall rhythms such as "Go Go Club", "Remedy" and "Nuh Fear". These rhythms became hits, with the "Go Go Club" rhythm introducing new artistes like Merital Family to the musical scene. Under his label Head Concussion Records, Rvssian went on to release Tarrus Riley's hit single "Good Girl, Gone Bad" which featured Konshens, Vybz Kartel's "Lyricist" and Chan Dizzy's "Nuh Strange Face." Rvssian established his singing skills after teaming up with Vybz Kartel on various hit singles like "Straight Jeans and Fitted", Cure Fi Badmind", "Look Pon We", "Yellow Yellow" and "New Jordans". After the arrest and conviction of Vybz Kartel, Rvssian, whose career growth had been attributed to working with the "Dancehall Hero", kept Head Concussion Records on the global map, launching J Capri, a new female dancehall artiste. The platinum-selling producer released "Pull Up To Mi Bumper" (featuring

and J Capri), "Whine 'n' Kotch" (featuring J Capri and Charly Black), "Reverse It" and "Boom 'n" Bend Over" by J Capri. J Capri's "Pull Up To Mi Bumper" and "Whine 'n' Kotch" received over 25 and 50 million

views, respectively.

Awards and recognition

At the Youth View Awards in February 2011, Rvssian won the award for Favorite Local Music Video for the Year alongside Vybz Kartel for their hit single "Straight Jeans and Fitted". Rvssian also won Favorite Producer at the 2015 YVA Awards. In 2014, Rvssian won a platinum plaque for his reggaeton single "Passion Whine".Jamaican producer, Tarik 'Rvssian' Johnston goes platinum for single featuring Sean Paul
(dead link). 876411.com. 31 October 2014 He was also recognized at the 21st Digital Awards for his musical contributions.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rvssian Living people Jamaican male songwriters Jamaican pianists Jamaican drummers Male drummers Jamaican guitarists Male guitarists Male pianists 21st-century pianists 21st-century Jamaican male singers 1988 births Trap musicians Jamaican dancehall musicians Latin trap musicians Reggaeton musicians