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08/12/2015
Article
ah9, la espiritualidad hecha canciĆ³n

- How was growing up on Falmouth?

Falmouth was a small but very traditional and culturally rich town. One of the first cities in the Western Hemisphere. I grew up around a lot of old Jamaica and with very traditional values my own family included it was like a city but also like the rural area because it was very green with rivers, beaches, and mountainside.

- Which are your first memories related with the music? You remember any moment?

Some of my first memories related to music was singing in church with my mother and harmonizing to the hymns that were being sung

- The church and the spiritual music has a strong impact on you like an artist. How was be raised in that context? and what things you learned?

Being raised in that context protected me from some of the more harsh realities in the world. My father was a man of integrity and my mother also was a servant and they were well respected in the community. Growing up in the church environment with my father as my pastor was very good because it allowed me to really learn about spiritual things and ask the questions directly and see what a man is supposed to be to his family and to his community.

- Who were your main influences?

I would say that my parents and my immediate family wear a large influence on I especially the books they were reading and the things they were interested in. As I grew older I started to influence myself more just by comparing the things that I was driven to do until difference it made me from those around me. As I began to read more I realized that influence was really a tradition of my people and I learned about Africa and that led me to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie the first, who is a perfect example of the human being I'd like to become.

- In what moment you decide to start doing music like a career, like a mission?

I realized that my music needed to be as I went through University and studied psychology and human resource development and criminology, those ideas began to shape the poetry I was creating and then I found to the right fit with the instrumental dub, I realized where my poetry would go musically. They all were in the same direction: social consciousness and awakening my brothers and sisters as I worked on awakening myself .

- You have something distinctive that is the the blend of differents sounds, like blues, gospel, jazz and of course reggae. Why you express yourself through these genres?

Because they have been my experience or life and music as I grew. So they represent me most truthfully.

- In what moment of your life came rastafari? And what do you found in this way of live the life?

I would say during my university year I started getting access to information about HIM. In His own words. Then it continued from there till I was sure that this was way more important than just know. It required a willingness to change, open and become. Sonny life was transformed by his example and all that unfolded as I journey inward.

- Tell us about the first time you met Beres Hammond. And why is he so important in your career?

I met Beres various times through my produceer Sheldon Bernard who was his keyboard player at the time he was significant to my career because he was one of the first people on that musical level to hear my portrait and my sound and believe in me. Also he was one of the first people to leave their studio open for me to have a safe place to create with their guidance.

- With the release of "New Name" you called the attention not only of the people from Jamaica. How was these first step for you and what things can you tell us about the album, musically speaking?

Musically speaking, the album is a mix of deep roots music on social just influences. I feature a new one coming out is an unfilled the established artist. And I use the various instrumental sounds that are synonymous with roots reggae to communicate my poetry, which was not the usual, to people would not necessarily be interested in that kind of (music) message.

- Now you're one of the faces of the new reggae in Jamaica with other artists like Protoje, Chronixx, Kabaka Pyramid and others... what do you think about this new generation of reggae artists?

I think they are all influence by Rastafarian and HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I and truly committed to giving the best of themselves when they present their music to the world. That's what we all have in common.

- Do you know any artist from Latin America?

I know a few. The mainstream ones over the years that everyone knows and a few I have recently learnt of like Alika.

- A message for your fans in Latin America....

I'll be there soon! Keep letting love win in your hearts because it is stronger than fear, to build people and nations.