What’s Reggae Got to Do with It: Between Nature’s Explosions and Human Implosions

What’s up with all THIS?

I was very disturbed by Amy Winehouse‘s “passing.” Of course it wasn’t as simple as that – she burnt out. I didn’t know her. Heard family and friends did all they could…but did they?

Amy Winehouse at an Awards event

She’s so confident in this picture: self assured, and in others (easily Googled, unfortunately), she’s such a mess. What a shame.

I watched her live videos and WOW: what soul! She was channeling for some pretty heavy forces. That’s why people liked her (plus, at her best, she was a gorgeous, universal woman…evidence left).

Sometimes descending to the depths and reaching the highest heights takes you away from the world we know. I’ve done that – a couple of times in my life – and come back from the brink. It’s been worth it.

Back to the case in point. With Amy, there came the usual blame game: fame, drugs – it’s always something else out there. But the human being is very damn complex, and when you get down to it, hard to handle. It’s easy to give up – hard not to give in temptation – succumb to your own, lesser self.

Joel Chin (part of the VP Records‘ royal family of Reggae) succumbed to others’ lesser selves. He was gunned down in front of his own house – how low is that! And leaving behind a newborn daughter(!).

VP Records' Joel Chin, in the studio

Why is it that so many Rock (or Pop) stars have killed themselves, while the Reggae & Hip Hop community are happy to take down their own? I’m sure his attackers were known to him, maybe disgruntled artists. Do we really know…so much hearsay out there. Who to believe?

So many hypocrites and back stabbers. As if life weren’t hard enough without naysayers nipping at your heals and trying to take you down. People you trust double cross you, make promises they don’t keep, and the big bad world just keeps on coming at you. No pity.

And then there’s an Earthquake. Hurricanes follow. And vicious doubters are trying to take down one of the wisest Presidents the U.S. has boasted in years.

President Barack Obama, contemplating

Sure Obama‘s connected with the powers that be – he’s one of them (for now) – but he’s trying to do the right thing. Which one of us could do better?

He’s berated for his whiteness, rejected for his blackness, told he’s “not supporting his base,” an “enemy to the nation.” Which way is it, really?

At the end of the day, we all have to face our demons and stand before the Lord in Judgement. Annually (and coming up in a matter of weeks), Hebrews face the new year and the Day of Atonement.

Bob Marley - uncompromising meditation (an illustration)

As Bob Marley said: “leave all judgement unto Him.” How many of us truly heed that, or the best words of the Good Book? “Who G*d bless, let no man curse.” Quotes are bandied about as weapons, convenient self-justifications. Where is the “One Love” people preach, but don’t teach(!?).

Wrapped up in their self righteousness, a meaningful portion of Reggae Artists pose as the only true believers. A new Christian movement “Dominionism” stages spiritual warefare against places and whole peoples. Islam is vilified while it provides solace and a direct connection with G*d to millions.

Co-Exist banner: Islam, Judaism, Christianity

Across the Arab world, people yearn to be free like you and me. Yet how many would like to see tiny Israel’s right to exist denied. The bad intentions and misbehavior of the few poison the drinking well of the many.

So where does Reggae fit in?

I wrote an editorial at the start of the year (featured as an earlier Blog) called “What is Rasta?” in which I explored the central theme of what “the Faith” is, or means.

I think any religion serves the primary function of guiding its flock in the right direction.

They all offer a moral compass. Some are more rigid than others. Alas (too often) these various traditions lead us against each other. At their best, and at least internally – to each one’s adherents – religions provide us ways of understanding reality, and interpreting the messages of G*d, which are manifest daily.

Reggae: Spirit in Music

As one of the most oral traditions among modern belief systems (ie. there’s no clergy or specific place of worship for most), Rastafarianism is conveyed primarily to the general public (as it was to me) through the music: Reggae Music to be specific. So what people say in songs, what you hear on your radio or iPod…that’s your gospel. Is it helping you to overstand the situation? Is it providing comfort in the storm? Does the message speak to you?

Even Jamaicans lament where the music’s going, with conscious, cultural lyrics taking a back seat (at least in the public & sales arenas) to slackness. American rock-Reggae bands tower in attendance over traditional Jamaican acts (at least Stateside), why? Could it be that they’re carrying the new torch of meaning in their message? Could it be that the old tried-and-true no longer rings as true for most? Is there a reinvention afoot, a transmutation of the Spirit?

One things’s for sure, regardless of how popular you are, your music has to be relevant. It has to convey Spirit, even apart from the lyrics. That’s one of the great things about  Reggae…the sound itself has value, and few are the people around the world who’d say they’re not drawn to it (even if they’re occasionally turned off by the lyrics: love of Jah, & ganja on the one side; and mysogyny/homophobia on the other).

So why isn’t it bigger than it is?

Why do some say Reggae’s going the route of Blues, and becoming an outmoded music form?

I disagree with them: I think there’s a lot of hope, and a lot of great music coming out daily. My renewed mission is to share it with you, and make sure that what is old is new again, and that what is new remains pertinent: showing the way, elucidating what matters, and providing inspiration in troubled times.

We don’t want Amy Winehouse or Joel Chin to have died in vain. They are the foot soldiers in a struggle that continues: to provide a powerful, transformative sound track to our day to day living.

PS. this Blog/Editorial first appeared in the Global issue KRucial Reggae Newsletter entitled “Signs & Wonders…What’s it All About?” (sent out to over 14,000 people worldwide). Click on the the quoted link above to see it, and Click here to Subscribe to our Newsletters.

What is Rasta?

You’ve heard: “underneath our skin, we all bleed the same red” (or words to that effect). How about the song: “Don’t have to be Dread to be Rasta.” Some would vehemently object to that idea, or the possibility of being Rasta if you’re not of explicitly African origin (ie. sub-Saharan).

...one of the band Culture's lesser known album covers

Scientifically (if you go in for that sort of thing), it’s been verified that we all hail from Africa – genetically – and geographically. But does this mean the later, disparate traditions of Europe and Asia – the native Americas (or Australia) – have nothing to contribute to our overstanding? Or that non-Africans have no worth as human beings? I think not (and I hope nobody would be so racist as to assert so).

In fact, many non-Afro traditions (and individuals) have both contributed to, and played an important role in magnifying the reach of Reggae and Rasta philosophies. “One Love, One Heart” is not (nor should it be) exclusive. To make it so would be like tying the legs of race horse before the gate opens. We have enough to fight down as it is.

When will we (as Rasta/Reggae lovers – and human beings) realize that we have more in common than separating us (especially in our so-called “community”)? Don’t we know that “until that day…everywhere is War!” (as His Majesty said).

Bob Marley's Exodus album cover: although a reference to the flight from Egypt, the Exodus theme is integral to Rasta philosophy

“Burn Down Babylon” – the philosophy of fire (or destroying one’s enemies) – is that Rasta? Happens a lot in the Bible, and dominates current events. The sentiment has been around from early on in the Reggae tradition (including in Bob’s lyrics). Did you know the whole Babylon theme originates in the Jews’ conquering and forced migration to Babylonia (now Iraq)? “Their” fight was the same as “ours” – to resist and/or make a separate peace – to survive in spite of the odds, create our own homeland, or reality, that works better for us than the prevailing “system” of the time.

Ital (vital, earth-based, natural) eating and living (to the extent that it’s possible, given our living situation and will-power), as well as the treatment (and respect) of our own body as our temple is (I believe) integral to Rasta.

Righteousness is key, but there is a fine line between it and “self-righteousness” – which is actually vanity. Humility is the foundation, fear of (or respect for) G*d is prerequisite. That means YOU (alone) are not G*d. As Bob said: “leave all judgment unto Him.”

the Itals' album: Rasta Philosophy

Much as I appreciate the homage and respect due each of us, recent years’ address of men and women as King and Queen (to my mind) detracts from the fact that there is but ONE King (and His Queen is THE Queen). “Ras” or prince feels more appropriate, as we are all servants (or ought to be), seeking to manifest His will (to the best of our ability and opportunity).

Still, any philosophy and overstanding has a right to evolve. No religion can survive being static, without allowing new generations to make and espouse their own interpretations of faith.

One of the things about Rasta that makes it unique is that it’s fiercely individual – ask any avowed Rasta “what is Rasta?” – and you can be sure to get as many answers. Lack of any central organization or authority has been a relative constant.

Burning Spear's "Hail H.I.M." album cover

Is Rasta the abiding acknowledgement that Jah Ras Tafari (Emperor Haile Selassie I the 1st) is G*d, or at the very least is the face and personal embodiment of G*d? These are two very different, though related concepts. However you slice it, I think the answer is YES.

How can you call yourself Rasta unless Rastafari is somehow front and center in your life?

Many so-called Rastas “deh pon” some other trip (“fashion dreads” not withstanding).

Holy image of Jah

Often Jesus is given the throne foremost. Even Jah himself – while holding all the titles befitting The Lord – was humble and did not boast of his deity. He, as others, put Christianity first. Ethiopians (and Jah) trace their prime lineage to Sheba and Solomon, and incorporate the “Old Testament” or Torah into their holy scriptures (as do the Muslims, consider themselves part of the Abrahamic tradition). Others may be Jews for Jah, so to speak, sidestepping the Christian piece, and awarding H.I.M. status as personal representative and human  incarnation of Adonai.

Truly – and to be fair – the oral gospel that is Reggae, and all the best that being Rasta has to offer, must be laid at His Majesty’s feet, as an offering: “so that the words of our mouth, and the meditation of our heart, be acceptable in thy sight, over I” (from the popular song & Psalm 137).

Isn’t Roots Culture?

I was talking to a long time Reggae radio-industry pro, and he said matter-of-factly: “Roots and Culture are two different things.” I was taken aback: isn’t Roots necessarily Culture. He explained: “Culture is what they call conscious music, usually Reggae, that’s made by Dancehall Artists” (he mentioned Sizzla, Lutan Fyah, Gyptian, and a few more). The idea – he thought – was that Dancehall was getting too shiftless, featuring too much violence and “slackness,” and the artists/producers vowed to cool things down with some meditative lyrics. Hence: the “Culture” genre by which contemporary Reggae with a message – out of Jamaica – is called.

Do we call Groundation or John Brown’s Body, who are also making conscious Reggae: Culture as well? Well, aside from the fact that a fair amount of “foreign” (what Jamaicans call everywhere-else-than-Jamaica) Reggae is heavily influenced by (and infused) with non-Reggae, I’d think it might better be called “International” the way the English bands Steel Pulse and Aswad were so-called (and even groups like Third World – who are from Jamaica – they were labeled International).

Then you have (and it’s confusing): International Night at Sumfest,  during which a smorgasbord of not-necessarily-international acts are showcased…so names and titles, even within the genre, can get hazy.

All of it’s cultural, to the extent that it extols the values and meanings of a specific subculture (or group of people with somewhat common interests and overstandings), however any given band or Artist may conceive of it. Many cultures, really, are being represented. And so it’s fair to call Jamaican conscious straight Reggae “culture” as well as Gentleman, from Germany being “culture.”

But Roots is just that – the foundation – which means the music and musicians “of the time:” that blessed decade in Jamaica during the 1970′s. Many modern bands are modeling their sound after that original feel, and so they can call their music Roots (even if they, themselves, may not be of that generation or background).

Culture has Roots though it may not be Roots, but Roots automatically has culture. I get it.

What conversation on the matter could be complete without mention of the seminal group Culture itself. When I saw their records in the bin at the corner record store (I’m dating myself), I had no choice but to buy them. What band could name themselves such an over-arching, enormous title, and NOT be great. I was of course well impressed: the International Herb album delivers relentlessly cultural AND roots music…you can’t go wrong with every re-listening.

So whatever you call it, whether it’s from JA or JP (Jamaica Plain, Boston), it CAN be Roots and it CAN be culture. It’s up to you whether you dig it, or to “know yourself” – your own roots and culture – and  you’ll be sure to find music to match.

Blogosphere Welcome: KRucial Reggae in the house

I wrote in my KRucial Reggae Blog Profile that I’ve been promoting Reggae for many years, and it’s finally time to step into the Blogosphere. I have an opinion, and this is a new way to share it and get feedback. I used to mail out postcards, call people personally (and I still do – those that I know like that). Then there was my website: www.Reggae4i.com, followed by my ongoing mainstay: content-rich Newsletters with regional, global, and niche industry focus. I’ve done MySpace and Twitter (still figuring out), and last but not least Facebook (which is my favorite Social Networking medium right now). Now to learn the joys of Blogging.

What’s my point? Twofold: as always, I’m trying to promote projects & artists I’m working with, and I’m always looking for new ways expand my contact network in search of more synergistic collaborations.

ALSO, I want to use this as an editorial outlet, evolving from monologue to dialog with people who actually care. What do they care about? Reggae Music, what it really stands for: One Love, Spirit, Rastafari, life affirming, and soul searching.

I just spoke to someone who said (at least some) booking agents are hungry for new talent, as the old guard is retiring (note the recent deaths of giants Sugar Minott and Mikey Dread). Who this new guard is and what they’ll do with the mantle is very key. It seems nowadays that a lot of the original energy has been lost or transmuted: I heard Damien Marley got no applause recently (in Jamaica), but now that he’s showed up with a Hip Hop artist (Nas), things are different…Jamaicans want to hear American music, and Americans want to hear Jamaican music. I call it colonial nostalgism: where the grass is always greener at “the source.” But guess what: once grass is growing, it’s growing, and if it’s green it’s green, and if it has roots, it has roots (wherever they are).