Barry Boom was born Paul Robinson in May 1964 in St Giles Hospital, Camberwell, south east London, UK, to Jamaican immigrants Ernest Robinson (a carpenter) and Sithel Robinson (a seamstress). He was the youngest of six boys.

Boom first appeared on record aged 13 in 1978, as a drummer/lead vocalist in the Simeons band. The Simeons recorded one album entitled “Dub Conference in London” (Freedom Sounds Records).

In 1979 he formed part of “One Blood” alongside four of his older brothers. They cut two albums with Neville King Records, “In Love” (1980) and “Super Showcase” in (1982). One Blood also released a series of successful singles throughout the period.

In late ‘82 Boom was approached by Nick Bailey of the Nick Straker Band” and asked to perform as featured vocalist and co-write four tracks (as Paul Robinson) for their album ‘The Nick Straker Band’, which was released on Pinnacle Records in 1982. This was a pivotal point for Boom, as he learned a lot of production techniques and developed his production skills from this association with Nick Straker.

In 1983 Boom moved into production for the first time scoring a certified reggae classic with his production of Papa Levi on “Mi God Mi King”, staying at the number one spot in the UK reggae charts for 8 weeks.

“Mi God Mi King” was picked up by Island Records and was released in Jamaica on the Taxi Gang label. It sat atop the JA reggae charts for six weeks (the first British DJ to hit the number one spot in JA) and Boom received his first recognition as a UK reggae producer.

In 1984 Boom started his own record label ‘Level Vibes Records’ and went on to produce singles for Maxi Priest (‘Throw mi Corn’, ‘Should I’ et al), which all went straight to the number one spot on the UK reggae charts