Tony Rebel Interview by Rankin Mr. B February 8, 1998 Playing "Dancehall Principle" with Garnett Silk on Heartbeat Records. Welcome back to the Reggae Beat 97.5 KPOI something we have been waiting several weeks for has finally happened. I like to say he is proabaly he is one of the most respected deejays in Jamaica and the world.. Hello . . . Tony Rebel: Yes I am here How you doing.. R.M.B: I am doing fine Greetings and Aloha. I wish I can say welcome to Hawaii, but right now the phone is the best next thing T.R: Yes, I want to say greetings to all of the people of Hawaii too! R.M.B: Well there you go . . . How are things out there in Jamaica for you . . . T.R: Well things are fine right now. Jamaica has a very good football team and tonight was the night we when we play in Los Angles. We played Guatemala; we won 3-2. . . . So it's football thing in the air. The other day we drew Brazil in Miami. Brazil is the world champion, and for the Reggae Boyz to draw . . . Brazil, I think that's a great achievement. So every one in Jamaica is celebrating so it is like a football mania. RMB: [There are a] couple of singers out there that are going to dedicate songs to the football team; are you looking at doing the same now? T.R.: Well, what is happening is that every time the Reggae Boyz are playing, especially in the stadium, and the entertainment is being dealt with, they always use my song "Jah Is by My Side." It is like a theme song for them. R.M.B. Wow, Congratulations . Well you know your voice and message are not strangers to the us in Hawaii, right now we still rocking to "If Jah . . . " What are some of your favorites tracks on that LP? T.R. Well some of my favorite tracks are "Love Fountain," "You Been Warned," "Jah Never Let Us Down", and "Jah By My Side." At least the whole album is my favorite. But one of my main songs that I, . . . two of my main songs that I love apart from "Jah By My Side" is "You Have Been Warned" and "Love Fountain." R.M.B. "Love Fountain," That's right and that was on the Bob Marley's riddim . . . "So Much Trouble In The World." T.R. Yes , that's right you got it. R.M.B. I know there were special celebrations for Bob Marley on the 6th of Feb. Did you participate in anything or in Sumfest or Sunsplash? T.R. Well, actually last month I had one of the biggest show in Jamaica, which is called Rebel Salute, which is a actually a commemoration of my birthday and that was held in Mandeville-land. We had over 20,000 people. And because of that, because of that you know it's like it took so many energy out of me I wanted to rest, so I did not participate, and the Sunsplash I think tonight will be the last night of Sunsplash which is the Gospel Night. And also there was a lot of activity around. I was suppose to do a lecture up by the (Bob Marley) museum in Kingston. But because it was a football match in Miami, with Brazil, Brazil and Jamaica , I was there so I did not get a chance to participate, but my sprit was there in everything. People from most everyone to Sunsplash the night before last, like last night and Sugar Black and Lebancuhla went to Nine Miles to participate in that celebration that they had at Bob Marely's birthplace. RMB: Wow, wow. Now with your Rebel Salute, you have accomplish [something] that I am really really impressed with. You know you had over 20,000 people, but you served only Ital food and no alcohol you and still had a huge crowd. That is really impressive. Now you can tell us . . . TR: What well RMB: I am sorry go ahead. TR: Well what happen is that is our kind of concept. Cause I am not a vegetarian, and I don't drink alcohol beverages, and therefore I would not want to sell people that to make money. So it actually our concept manifesting in reality in the form of a show. Where we don't deal with no form of profanity within our lyrics and that's kind of music that we wanted at the celebration for my birthday. And also I want to serve something I would serve in my house. RMB: That is right so true. Too bad more promoters don't feel that way, [they're] just after a quick buck. Ahhh along with your "If Jah" LP for the past two weeks we have been playing every cut on your pre-release cd . . um I do not know the name of the cd. [It] has Jah Mason , yourself, "Hold Meditation," President Brown. Can you tell my listeners when that cd may be will be release? TR: Well actually right now we're about to release those sounds in Jamaica onto 7", and very soon we will be releasing it on cd. But first I want you to get enough pre release play out of it before we release! We, we, want you to exercise that privilege! RMB: Thank you , Thank you , Thank you last week we played every cut and this week so far we played 3 cuts, and we have 2 hours left in the show so we're just gonna play, play and play. The vibes are great, the rhythms are great. When you go into a studio, do you sit down and does the music come first or do the lyrics come first? TR: Well, actually for me it's like sometimes when I am home everything comes. Next time if the riddim is there already then I sing something to put on the riddim. Because the riddim speaks to you. When you hear a phrase or a bass line or a specific drum pattern, it like it brings out a melody and from a melody you must find lyric, because there is so much things to say. It's a variety of ways. So it's sometimes you have the lyrics first and then you match it to the music. Sometimes it's the music first, and sometimes it happens simultaneously. RMB: I see, I see. You started out as a singer, not a deejay. Did that change lead to your unique deejay style called 'sing-jay?' TR: I think so, I think so. Because I can do them both then I tried to incorporate both of them at the same time, and I end up with this kind of melodic sound which they called sing-jay. Which I love very much. RMB: Are you the originator of sing-jay or is it something that has been around for a while? TR: I don't want to blow my own trumpet. RMB Blow it Blow it!! T.R.: Laughing I think so I really thinks so because when I heard the deejays deejaying straight and hard. I was not doing that. If you can go as far back as "Fresh Vegetable" or "Mandela Story," then you see will that it is a a long time now I have seen a lot of deejays moving on that pattern, which I love very much. MRB: Much respect, there you go. TR: Yes, you can say that you can say that (laughing). MRB: Much respect to you cause Buju's album (Inna Heights) and even Beenie Man's album . . . they are throwing a little singing in there now. TR That's the way to go. That's the way to go. You have to have a melody. Once you have melody that people can sing to and people can remember. If it is just straight people won't remember. After a few weeks it will be gone. But when you [know] there's a melody, people will remember a melody in their head. MRB: That is right. Yourself and Garnett Silk are credited with bringing, forward cultural vibes to music and Dancehall. We mention Buju , Beenie Man they have changed their style, they're Rasta, and their message is more spiritual, more conscious, are you pleased with the direction the music is going now? T.R: To a certain extent yes. There is a whole lot of my colleagues who have turned their musical vibe to a positive -- a more positive vibe. And I am happy for that. There is also a lot of people who still doing the slack music and gun lyrics. They are doing it more subtle this time, and it is very ambiguous, and it is also getting a lot of prominence. And I think it is time now that they know they stop, because it is contributing to the deterioration of our music. I am happy that there are a lot of young artist like Buju Banton who have done their transformation, Capleton. You have Sizzla coming; you have Anthony B; you have Jah Mason. And there is so much other young artist who definitely moving within the cultural rhymes. And I think in a matter of time for the 21st century then it will be there to see that culture lives forever. MRB Yes that right. Well, who are the singers and deejays you are impressed with. You mention Buju, Anthony B, and of course the singers on your label. TR: Yes, I am definitely impressed with Kulcha Knox, ahh Sugar Black and Lebanchulah , Ras Shiloh, Honey Comb, . . . I impressed with Sizzla too. RMB: Yes we been too . . . aside from you I think we have played Sizzla the most last year. Now going back, one of the dreams for many artists is to be signed to a major label. In 1993 you singed on with Columbia Records. The fruits of that labor was the "Signs of the Times." Although it was an excellent CD, you parted ways with Columbia Records. What led to that splitting from Columbia? TR: Well, I think even though Columbia is a big and respectable company, they didn't find the method to distribute my songs effectively. Cause what happen is that I was a popular guy when they sign me, and so their intention was to put me on the next level. What they did was forsake the market that I was already popular in. When I did my album, it could not be had in the areas that I was already popular, and so they tried to put me into the next area where, unfortunately, it left promotion and the whole distribution aspect did not come together very well. For I did not take off in that market, and then if I was not smart, then I would be off for a while. So I think it was better for us to part ways and you know I continued in my career. RMB: Did they not enlist your help as far as promotion and distribution? TR: Say that again please . . . RMB: Did they enlist your help, did they ask which direction you like to take this cd, which market you are going to look at? TR: Well, I think sometimes when you are with those company, even if you propose they have your proposal as being disposable. (laughter) They actually sold millions, so they know which direction to go even when you when tell them it can't work that way. But what I am doing now is actually is setting up my own company which is Flames Productions, and if you notice that album . . . that you there playing, although it was distributed by VP, it has been produced by Flames Productions, even "Jah By My Side", and "Ghetto People Songs" (Everton Blender) -- all those songs on the "LaLa Bella" riddim it is being produced by Flames Productions. And also the show that is put on here annually that is called Rebel Salute it is done by Flames Productions. So we know that this music thing is not a destination, but it is journey and we decide to take the first step by doing things for ourselves. RMB: I see. So that was one of the moves that made you start your own label called Flames. The parting of ways from Columbia. Why did you call your label Flames? I know there is a good reason. TR: Because the kind of sound that we are putting out in the world is like fire! It's like we're burnin, we're burnin through the earth with good, and we know good must conquer evil. So that's it, you know, we're burnin through people's head into their soul. RMB: Into their hearts that is true TR: Into their heart. So therefore we are we are Flames, we're going to burn all things that is corrupted -- all evil. RMB: You got a really nice family of singers -- Jah Mason, Sugar Black, Uton Green. How did you come across theses young voices? Are there talents shows that are happening, and you're walking around scouting them out? TR: Not really, we are actually from Manchester, which is central part of Jamaica, and [when] we were much younger we used to be on sound system. One of the sound system that we used to be on is sound system called Destiny Outernational. And there myself, Garnett Silk, and Everton Blender, and a whole lot more artist used to be. And then when I left there and came to Kingston, and I was with Donavon Germain at Penthouse. I met Sugar Black and Lebanchulah some more other artist. And then when we set Flames up, artist would come everyday and just like check us out to see what we can do. And then we hear potential and then we try to help it as much as we could. RMB: I see, I see. Now what is Everton Blender up to now? TR: Say that again? RMR: What is Everton Blender up to? TR: Well actually Everton Blender has started his own label called Blend Dem Promotions. He has a label called Blend Dem. He is on tour, and he is trying to set up his own thing also. RMB: Okay, I see, cause we are groovin on vibes of "Ghetto People Song." On the "LaLa Bella" riddim . . . So so nice, and it is very nice to see that you are going forward with the music not a destination but a journey. TR: It's a journey and every journey begins with a step. RMB: Now when someone sits down and listens to your cd what do you want them to get out of it? TR: Well those who never learn should be [taught] and those who know, but they have forgotten, I think they should be reminded. And those who are weak we need them to get strength. I need peace, love, and unity to be established among the family of humanity. RMB: Well, I think that with messages such as "With Jah" and what you are putting out on your Flames Label, you're helping people to realize what is going on in themselves and in the world outside. Ah you know much respect to you and what you are doing out there in JA. I sincerely hope we can see you live one day in Hawaii. We hope. It's been sort of a dry season for us. The last show we had in Hawaii was in August. I do not know of anything that is coming up in the near future. TR: I am ready for you Hawaii! It's been a long time. I have been getting a lot of invitations, but it has not manifested. But you know that it's better late then never and guess what? Patience is a virtue, but don't let it stay too long or it will hurt you. RMB: Is there anything you like to leave the people of Hawaii with? TR.: I like to tell the people of Hawaii that once you have life you have hope. You should not worry about nothing. Remember that the same place Jah comes from that where your soul is from also. All of them is an experience. So they say behind dark cloud is a silver lining. So don't let the bad times get you down -- get down on the bad times. Cause they say nothing beats a child but a failure. Please don't fail to try, and just remember to say, "I'm too blessed to be stressed." RMB: I like that, 'too blessed to be stressed.' Words of wisdom. Much Thanks Tony Rebel. We are going to close out this interview with something off your new pre release CD that we are going to take advantage of. "Hold a Meditation," on Reggae Beat 97.5 KPOI. T.R. You got it! 8 Feb. 1998 Interview with Tony Rebel on Reggae Beat 1. Ghetto People Song/E.Blender/Reggae Hits vol. 22/Jet Star/ 2. Sweet Jamacia/Tony Rebel/Vibes of the Times/Coloumbia 3. Fresh Vegatable/Tony Rebel/ 4. Give I Strength/Ras Shiloh & Buju/Inna Heights/VP 5. The Fool/President Brown/Flame/*** 6. Know Jah Tony Rebel/Penthouse Collectorís/Germain 7. No Looking Back/Uton Green/La La Bella/Flames 8. Standing Firm/Little Kirk/Flames/*** 9. Never Did the Man/Sanchez/Reggae Hits vol. # 20/Jet Star 10. Keep your Joy/Tony Rebel/Flames 11. Perious Soul/Sugar Black & Leblanchulah/Flames 12. Jah By My Side/Tony Rebel/If Jah/VP 13. Are You Ready/Marcia & Tony Rebel/If Jah/VP Interview with Tony Rebel at 5:00 14. Mad Cow/Macka B/Suspicious/Ras 15. Bushwack/Josey Wales/Strictly the Best #19/VP 16. Ainít Gonna Figure it Out/Beenineman/Many Moods of Moses/VP 17. Passing through the Flames/Wendy Shaw/Passing Through the Flames/ 18. Man on the Corner/Cool Breeze/Kulcha Shok/*** 19. James Bond Theme/Skatalites/Ball of Fire/Island J.A. Jazz 20. God and King/Screwdriver/Testimonial/*** 21. Freeze/Tony Rebel & Macka B/Rebel with a Cause/Germain Long Beach Bob Marley Fest Artist 22. Herbsman Hustling/Sugar 23. Send One Your Love/Born Jamercians/Delious Vinyl 24. You Got the Love/Lukie D./East Coast Records 25. East Coast to the West/Capleton/I Testament 26. Prophet/Capelton/Straight Talk/Germain 27. I would rather Dub/Zema/Stranger in the Gate/Melchizedek 28. Guess What is Happening/Lucanio/Strictly the Best vol.. 20/VP 29. Give Them A Ride/Sizzla/Mother and Child/Jet Star 30. Row Fisherman/Congoes/Power of the Trinity/Shanchie Tribute to Bob Marely 31. Johnny Was/Pres. Brown & Bunny Rugs/Runn 32. Jammin 33 Crazy Bald Head 34. No Woman No Cry 35 Interview with Bob 36. Get Up Stand Up 37. Interview with Bob 38. Simmer Down Reggae Beat 97.5 KPOI Sundays 4:00 - 7:00 pm hosted by Rankin Mr. B RANKINMRB@aol.com