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JAMES 'YLLAVATION' CROSDALE
Yllavation is a Midlands-based musician, producer, and sound engineer with many years of experience in the global music industry. Known for his versatility and musical depth, he produces across a wide range of genres including Reggae, Hip Hop, R&B, UK Garage, and House, delivering productions that combine strong musicianship with technical excellence.
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Yllavation’s musical journey began at the age of five when he joined a steel band, remaining with the group for eight years while also learning to play drum kit. At just six years old, his exceptional musical ear was recognised when he was identified as having perfect pitch, accurately singing reference notes into a strobe tuner.
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By the age of eight, Yllavation discovered his passion for music production in a family studio and soon began producing reggae music for local artists. During his teenage years, he expanded into Hip Hop and R&B, producing for the group Manystyles, of which he was one of nine members.
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In 1997, he was introduced to UK Garage, and the genre’s fast tempos, funky drum patterns, and soulful chord progressions immediately resonated with him. This led to collaborative projects that fused Asian melodies with Garage beats, most notably through the collective Street Vybes.
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Yllavation further developed his writing and production skills during a two-year period at Incubator Records, before moving on to produce and engineer Hip Hop for Netty Entertainment. He later joined MS&M International / M19 Music Marketing, producing and engineering Hip Hop and R&B for artists Kavina and Amnesia.
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He also signed singles and remix deals with M.I. Raw Recordings, releasing The Miss Coco Brown EP, Déjà Vu – Fashion (UK Garage Remix), and Appletree with Wynter Black.​​
​Returning to his reggae roots, Yllavation has produced an extensive catalogue of work with respected artists, including:
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Frankie Paul – Dub Plate Sessions for New Sensation Sound
Peter Spence – No One, Baby I, Drinking From My Saucer, If You Were Here Tonight
1Eye – Worries & Trouble (Album)
Macka B – Health Is Wealth (Single), Wha Me Eat (Remix)
Lytie – Light Of The World (Album) and multiple singles
VRB feat. Peter Culture – Dis Ya Reggae Music, You’re Beautiful, and others
Matt Hoy (former backing vocalist for Ali Campbell of UB40) – Strong (Album)
Estinah – Promise, In His Own Way, We Won’t Wait
Major Popular – No Man, Give Praises, Carpenter To Rebuild (feat. Meditations), and many more
He also spent five years collaborating with My Boyz Beats, working on numerous projects with artists including Tippa Irie, Sandra Cross, and General Levy. Additional credits include Chardel Rhoden, Jacko Melody, Granite Asher, Shorn B, Dennis Lloyd, and Martini Special.
​Yllavation remains an active musician, performing internationally as a bass guitarist, while also occasionally playing keyboards and providing live sound engineering services for clients.
With a foundation rooted in musicianship, a technically refined production style, and a deep understanding of multiple genres, Yllavation continues to deliver authentic, high-quality music for artists and listeners worldwide.
