Deniston Mullings, aka Sampaloo, was born in Kingston, Jamaica and has since carved a place for himself among the greats of the Montreal reggae scene.

Music was not always his chosen path however, Mullings was originally an athlete with a running background, with the expectation that this would be his lifelong career. This shifted when he joined a farm aid program to Canada. Upon his arrival, he quickly became enamoured with music, drawing inspiration from artists like Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.

Mullings made his radio debut in 1995 with a tribute to the late musician and Rastafarian, Garnett Silk. This earned him several invitations including a performance at Jamaica Day and other events. He was well received by listeners and earned the title of Montreal DJ of 1995.

He has since released several popular tracks including “Welcome to Montreal”, “Black and Proud”, and “Rumours”. He often writes of more serious issues but adds an uplifting or comedic twist, taking inspiration from performers like Charlie Chaplin and Josey Wales. One example of this is his song “I Got A Ceiling”, a musical parody of the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Got A Feeling”. The track details the hardships of everyday life for those living in poverty.

Throughout his career, Mullings has opened for numerous international acts like Sean Paul, Anthony B, and Glen Washington. He performed at Montreal’s first International Reggae Festival, Calgary’s International Reggae Festival, and was nominated for a Reggae Music Award in 2004.

He credits his family as a source of encouragement and inspiration, with his children often showcasing their own talents at his performances. Mullings continues to make music and perform, building on his legacy in the Montreal reggae community.