Courtney Anthony Porteous aka 'Papa Biggy' was born December 10, 1964 in Western Kingston where he lived till his parents migrated in the mid seventies. he then went to live with his grandmother in St Ann and attended Trench Town Primary, St Georges All Age and Ferncourt High School respectively.
It was while attending Ferncourt that he got involved musically and became a member of the school's choir and also found out that he had the ability to write songs. Hence came his first composition 'Falkland Crisis' which earne dhim the title National DJ champion in 1982; a gold award and a scholarship in music sponsored by the J.C.D.C.
Immediately his musical career began to grow. He went to record for producers such as Henry 'Junjo' Laws, Sly & Robbie, Techniques, Steelie & Clevie, Jammys and Black Scorpio. These unions produced a number of hits such as 'Stop Dem', 'Under the Plane Wing', 'Times Of Trouble' and 'Freedom to Mandela.'
During that time he began performaing on shows both locally and overseas. He has performed in some of New York's most famous halls including Madison Square Gardens, The Ritz, The Lincoln Center and The Town Hall. He has also been to Canada, Costa Rica, Bermuda, Cayman and Trinidad and Tobago. Locally he has graced the stages of most reggae events such as Sting and Reggae Sunsplash.
He did a short stint with Byron Lee and The Dragonaires, and was managed at one time by the Spec Shang Limited. He is now producing and managing himself on his 218 Street Label with his office at 155D King Street in Kingston. On his own label you have seen such hits as 'Hidden Voices', the single and title track of his soon to be released album. 'Consciousness' and 'Living In Peace' was used as the tehme song for World Peace Day. Papa Biggy also manages a group of artists known as the 218 Street Crew.
He spends most of his time educating the youths of the dangers of negative things which includes drugs, guns and simple violence. His main ambition is to get the message across to the world, that is the message of peace. Because it is only with true peace that we can grow and live as one.
The DJ is also happily married and is the father of six children.
