Tippy I-Grade

Tippy I-Grade (born Andrew "Tippy I" Alfred) is the founder and chief engineer of I-Grade Records in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. As a producer, engineer, and musician, he has shaped the sound of Virgin Islands reggae for over two decades, working with artists like Pressure Busspipe, Midnite, and Vaughn Benjamin. His production style is characterized by deep bass, clean arrangements, and a rootical sensibility that honors the Jamaican tradition while maintaining a distinctly Caribbean identity.

Within the Easy Star Records family, Tippy has become a cornerstone collaborator, bringing his signature dub-heavy touch to a wide array of the label's roster. His extensive contributions include work on singles like “Hard Dub” and “40,000 Years” by John Brown's Body, as well as features on Hirie's album PHASES. He has also lent his production and engineering talents to recent projects like The Autos and Christos DC's “Never Get a Good Shot” and Paris La Mont's TAMPA RIDDIM, cementing his vital role in shaping the label's modern reggae and dub landscape.