CANADIAN REGGAE WORLD
  • Home
  • RFL ~ Artists ~ Events
  • Blog

The Root of Reggae

4/21/2022

4 Comments

 
Picture
The Soja Grammy win has white folks so angry at the responses from Jamaicans and black people, some telling me that they sad because "we" made it about color

If it ain't color, what the fuck is it about?

White people always trying to be the victim of all things... smfh

White people are always hurt when doing black things don't give them the acceptance that they seek, I believe because their focus isn't ever about reggae, but more about defending their whiteness.  Defending their automatic privilege

If it is a reggae conversation, I feel like black and white reggae people come up with the same answers to the same solutions of social justice

But we do not

NO BLACK JAMAICAN, REGGAE ARTIST WILL EVER RECEIVE WHAT WHITE SOJA RECEIVED BY WINNING A GRAMMY

That is a fact for black people, why isn't it a fact seen by all?

There is no argument at the origins of jazz, rock and roll or reggae

This is all black music

As the years progress, all parts of the world play these genre to varying degrees and many play these songs very well whether from Asia or Europe

No matter how good they play this music, it is still about learning from, and copying a black culture

The music is accepted on its merits and a hit tune touches everyone so man like Gentleman and Albarosie, who make great music don't seem to get the flack that Soja has received.  Their music, feels a lot like reggae energy

The Grammys are a Caucasian controlled market, by Caucasian record labels, selling to Caucasian audiences

We as a reggae culture give the racist entity too much credence.  Too much respect

Their job is to sell white bands to white audiences, which is a common sense business model to maintain profitability as their white audience is a loyal one

They will not sell a black Jamaican artist to said white audience because that white audience might reject that artist, no matter how good their work is, cause the artist is not white... they cannot relate to black interpretation of struggle

White people like to feel comfortable among themselves

They are uncomfortable hanging out where there are too many niggers

In my forty sixth year in Canada, it is clear from my journeys, a black audience dances with black audiences as whites dance with whites when it pertains to reggae music

What we are fully aware of, is that the Grammys, a white culture, will not give this kind of sales opportunity to a black band from Jamaica.  They will maintain that white audience with white reggae representing them

Sure, I'm racist

What the fuck ever!!!

We "reggae people" look at Jamaica and see no growth in reggae schools, putting instruments in the hands of Jamaican children, growing the culture

We do not see any vinyl pressings plants in the country that has some of the most vinyl-recording artists; and while white men trade and sell vintage tunes and make thousands of dollars off said sales, black Jamaicans end up dying broke.  The vinyl market makes millions among white and Japanese people, but the black artists?  Not so much!

Outside of Rebel Salute, why aren't there more concerts held in Jamaica?  Why are your biggest reggae concerts held in Europe?

It is about color

You just don't like being called on it

It is about the degradation that Jamaicans still unfortunately are subjected to by corrupt, governmental powers since 1962, as colonial lackeys forever under this abusive colonial yoke that birthed this music.  Empathetic reggae fans of all colors know these abusive histories

The Grammys protect their own

They are doing business for their white markets, while in the land of reggae, we watch the constant abuse of the people of that country and no upliftment and even greater, the constant in-fighting of reggae people

The Grammys can't solve black man issues nor should they be expected to but reggae people can see the reggae issues plaguing the citizens of Jamaica, the root of reggae music and we, nuh matta what color, should be addressing this brutal and corrupt culture encouraged by Jamaica's own governments since '62

No black man, not named Marley, is palatable to white people

A suh dem set de ting

There is no question that the Marley family has exceptionally gifted artists in Ziggy, Stephen and Damian but the Grammys are still a white man ting as is the music industry really but they have ZERO credibility with me as reggae aficionados.  They stink!

Yes, as a black man, I do write from a black perspective based in the consistent abuses and insults from colonizers black and white whose common agenda it is to belittle black people as is clearly evidenced through their treatment within the colony historically

One love, one heart

This is not happening in this world but getting the words out is me releasing my own cry

A single voice

Nuff black, experienced, reggae people disagree with my stance but as reggae heads, sons and daughters of the Most High, we speak the truths that we see and feel

My own narrative

Not the bullshit one that they expect me to accept

The root of reggae is Jamaica and it is being deliberately decimated by the governments of the country over several decades.  Before you argue, take a look at the real histories of the babylon shutting down dances all over the island on orders by the government for over a decade now.  "The root of the dancehall" is the dance itself

There are not enough music schools for Jamaican children, nor music scholarships to encourage the talent that is inherently within the people

Jamaica should be exporting reggae and benefiting from such profits but that isn't happening because of the corrupt "leaders"

Again, festivals and concerts are a natural in a place where tourists come anyway.  Where are these concerts that grow the Jamaican economy?

This isn't the responsibility of Soja for those hurt by black man's response

This is an overall "reggae responsibility"

The racist color thing is real and black man is expected to accept it

I won't

The Soja win brings this response.  It is about color on the Grammy side protecting Caucasian profits yet for this black man, I'm talking about elevating the "root" of this culture

We, black people, know that we do not have the opportunities that Soja have.  If black people know this, shouldn't we all know this?

If you touch reggae, the "Reggae defender" that I am will rise and speak truths whitey won't print in their media

One love, one heart, one destiny is a common phrase used by all but we are nowhere close

I listened to the Soja, Grammy winning album, "Born in Babylon" and liked it.  Big love to the band and their music

Fuck the Grammys

I'm still adamant about the other points in this piece.  Elevate the root of reggae that is in Jamaica so that we may elevate the music as well as the psyche of the planet.  This is what Jamaicans were born to do.  We must put a stop to the corrupt, governmental, colonial lackeys from blocking and abusing Jamaican citizens.  The black colonizer is far more abusive than his white master and punish the population on the island mercilessly while a white band win a "reggae" award

I feel like we as reggae people need to examine and elevate the whole game cause this matrix leaves many, many queries to Jamaican / reggae abuse.  Everyone, including I, need to rise

Nah sah, mi nah accept dat a rass claat

Grammy clown dem a mek dem Grammy money

Reggae needs and wants a more humane route for the root

When I speak of "root", I'm speaking of soulhahs like Benjy Myaz, one of our most gifted musicians, jazz, R&B, reggae, dancehall, whatever you need

Says 6 hours / day, including performance and rehearsal, 6 days / week for 12 years!!!!  He worked the plantation for 12 years at hotel gigs

He played with Toots, Sly & Robbie, Jimmy Cliff and a host of many

Between the plantation work, writing his own tunes, producing in the studio and performing, I'm not sure I know of a more knowledgeable candidate who feels this music, who is a better "root"

There are more, just like Benji on the island, that we need to shine to the world as the root of this great music

Protect the roots of the reggae tree

If we don't all see this, that is my definition of "the problem"

The culture is being deliberately decimated

We do not need the Jamaican government to protect reggae

Reggae has its people

You are it's people

Give the root the same opportunity to earn like the leaves and branches is my idea of the fucking problem

Not that Soja is white

Reggae souljahs must protect the reggae root

Honor the root properly and the tree will flourish

That's my argument 
4 Comments
Junior Myers
4/21/2022 11:46:42 pm

A knowledgeable, passionate and articulate brother. Benji's professionalism and mastery of his craft is helping to save and protect brand reggae from the abyss of cultural degradation and depravation.

Reply
Julian King
4/24/2022 02:32:57 pm

Well said Junior... He needs more support, aid, financial investment to protect and to elevate our ting. I hope someone influential enough can figure this out sooner than later

Investment in Jamaican children is a must!

Reply
David Kingston
4/26/2022 11:49:54 am

Julion, thanks for your efforts in exposing the many talents of Benjy, he is an incredible music talent who has identified the path forward - music and musical history lessons. When you look at the root of modern JA music, this first generation of creators were trained musicians who developed serious chops. Drummond, Alphonso, McCook simply didn't pick up an intstrument and immediately make beautiful noise, they were taught musical fundamentals, and practised them. ALPHA was prime contributor to this, and it's no coincidence that so many musicians of the golden era started their journey there. Back in the day, you simply didn't get into a studio unless you could play. Benjy has nailed it when he compares music creation through technology versus learning at the "rootimentary" level. Each one must teach one to maintain the tradition. Bless him.

Reply
Julian King
4/26/2022 02:56:09 pm

David Kingston, former DJ on community radio, CKLN 88.1FM for over a decade and a true historian of reggae music and reggae culture, a friend, a mentor and a white man

I had to start with that David

Yes I, the "Rootamentary" is the only discussion

Jamaica used to have a saying, founded in studio culture obviously, but used in all walks of life, if a person isn't good enough or up to scratch, weh wi seh, "Leave de studio!!!!!"

Nuh sympathy

Reggae people need to get past the demon that is the Jamaican government and find a path to getting instruments in the hands of our children. I have identified them as black colonialists, willing to abuse black man

Reggae people, black, white, asian, globally need fe bun dem out and preserve the root

Raspect David, and everyone else, for taking the time to respond

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    April 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    August 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.