POLYFAMOUS interview (APRIL 2012)

Polyfamous is talented Jamaican dancehall singjay living and working in capital Kingston city, JA. He has released serious big tunez fi several producents in Jamaica but also abroad, featured with artist like Jaggy D, Gyptian. Polyfamous active records new hits on various riddims, also run his own dubservice agency and of course himself records big dubplates for sounds and dj from all corners of the world..

Greetings, the first question I would like to ask you, is about your nickname, can you tell us why Polyfamous?
When I was younger in my teenage (maybe 13th) there was a man with name "polyyfemus" an old rasta man and he used to sell some high grade weed , in the area white hall ave kingston 8 .I used to go buy the weed from him for a man name Benji  and its because I went there so many times they started to call me polyfemus at first,  but after while I am in music business I changed the name to Polyfamous  because I told my self I am going to be famous one day.

Probably yuh dont like talking about your private personal life as many artists dont, but can you tell us how does your obvious day look like?
Well every day is just music still always trying to make some music, eno write some new song or from studio to studio its evryday thing for me.

You come from Kingston town, am I right? How can you describe living there and what it brought to your life?Can you imagine living abroad, far from Jamaica?
I describe Jamaica as the blessed land, the place where there is summer all year I call it the summer land the foundation for the music. Well the world is wonderful place and I would love to see it but me have to be a ywaad still, eno because the vibes deh a yawwd,  but no one knows what tomorrow may bring still eno.

How did Jamaican music business changed during last years since you are in the business?Does the things like arresting, shooting and murderers of artists/producents influence business somehow?
Well the bus changes every year . Sometimes possitive, sometimes nagative but when the artise them is all these problem its not a good thing for the music or Jamaica, because the people look down at us . Remember the music should be a message and an upliftment for the peolple, so when things like these happen the youths go atray thinking is right when its wrong. Who is going to show them the way, when the media and the artise them look to for infomation.

Let mi ask you now about your music I already know that you write you own lyrics what is quite rare nowadays, where you get an inspiration fe your lyrics??
Well my inspiration comes from everyday livity interacting with people, but most of all they come from my kidz they are the one that make me have to try and do the right thing.

Can you tell us why you have quite a lot of tunez about love? Is love very important fe you?
Love is the answer for the world to unite . I love to sing about love because I love the ladies and I have to tell them and show them. A good bredaa Berres Hamond told me that if I am singing I should sing mostly about love, but I think its a universial thing eno.

You have such a great featuring tunez with several artists like Jaggy D,Gyptian, Anthony B. Are there any artists, who would you like to cooperate with on next tunez? Which are your favourite jamaican artists or bands, who you would like to advise to promoters abroad?
For my next combination I would like to do with artise like Turbulance , Luciano, Movado, Konshens, Ioctaine, Khago ect all of them is my bredda I have to choose who next but it will be a boooooooooom fi real

POLYFAMOUS & GYPTIAN

What about your release for french production Roots Survival, can you tell us about work between you and Damalistik?
Dama hahaha a di real big man a long time me know Dama is like me bredda from another mother. I like working with Dama because him take him things serious just like me I take music very serious, when it comes to doing the work roots survival lable produce songs like nothing, e.g. ft. jaggy d and its amazing ft.gyptian some lovely songs if you ask me and some more to come, so look out massive more nice songs on Roots survival label. Big respect to Damalistik large up yourself!

How you think should soundsystems, djs and promoters from Europe nowadays support young jamaican newcomers inna musical business, what kind of help can work di best?
Well if they can play them songs anytime they can ok give some one it to play on the radio. You can mek dem do jinlges and dub for promote and pics too and if they can, even try to keep some promo shows too or they can just mix dem with the big artise when them coming there eno ect., but the artise have to work and what to be some where if him no want it, then it not go work.So both parties have to be thinking the same way eno.

From your point of view what is better promotion for artists recording loads of dubplates or releasing LP with big tour?
Well lp is better to me cause its more than one song to represent you along with the tour so people know you have the goods them want so you have a package, yeah man lp better.

I know that your recording dubplates with lots of other Jamaican artists too fi sounds and djs.Do you have dubplate service?
yes i have dubsurvice ."DUBS FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF LIGHT WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH

What have you learned from being inna music business after those years?Are there any tings that new artist inna music business should be beware of doing?
Me tell all new artiste seh dont sit down waiting on someone to help you, go out and shine let them see you, show the talent and dont be afraid. Courage is very important and believe in yourself, do you?

Which countries have you visited and which of those places/festivals yuh have visited you like the best and why? When we can look forward to your European tour ? What are your plans for 2012?
Well I have been to France , Spain , and some other place in Europe ,doing a lot work so hope this year will be a good for me just want the massive to call me in Europe cause me love them and cant wait to come do some big work . Big up all massive ,czech crew , Portugal, Poland ,Slovakia ,France crew ,Switzerland crew, Brazil, Spain , Galanta crew, and Poprad crew too all crew bless one love rastafari bless.
  
The last question is about music which you are listening the most these days and of course you have here an opportunity to write a message to readers of this interview. I thank you very much fe your time and music. Bless

Well i love dancehall but my heart is reggae seen,  yes I ya give thanks, more love and properity.

Contact POLYFAMOUS: facebook.com/poly.fame

YT interview (FEBRUARY/MARCH 2009)

When I heard album Straight Outta Britain a few years ago, I was really surprised and amazed with its quality by lyrical side but musical too. In that moment I wanted to hear and know as much as could about YT, because his tunez at album Straight Outta Britain really impressed me. But it took some time, after which I had chance to know his work better and to see him performing live for first time in november 2008 in Bratislava. After that show we planned with YT to do a video interview, but it was early morning, so we arranged to make it by this way.   

First questions I would like to ask are about your new upcoming album Born Inna Babylon. Which labels are involved in production of it? What kind of riddims can listeners expect? Are there any featuring artists?

The new album is finished after basically 3 years of perfecting it. it will be on my label Sativa records. It has a variety of riddims .Curtis Lynch Jr (necessarymayhem.com), who is the premiere reggae dancehall producer in Uk at the moment ,produced quite a few plus there are riddims from Poland, Sweden,Germany,Switzerland and another banger from Dready who is now based in US.i have collaborated with Daddy Freddy whose guidance has been a major factor in my career,Million Stylez, Mr Williamz, Blackout JA, Michie One and Shola Ama Plus UK Hip Hop Icon Skinnyman.

How should you compare Born inna Babylon album with Straight Outta Britain??? It is a continuation from Straight outta britain as it has a UK feel to it but it is definitely a reggae based album. i think it is more serious and lyrics orientated maybe a sign of the times or just where my head has been over the last 3 years.

Are you planning any promotion tour for your new album?
To be honest the release date has been moved forward so many times many of my shows over the last year have been supposed album promo shows but yes if possible i would like to orchestrate a proper tour with a live band.

Now let me ask you about your early beginning. Who influenced you musically and philosophically in those times? Why did you choose reggae/dancehall music? What do you think about punks inna England, do you cooperate with them?

First got into reggae listening to my friends older brothers music there are so many artists to remember but obviously Bob Marley, Aswad ,Steel Pulse,Papa San, Stitchie , Professor Nuts all the big Uk Mc`s like Papa Levi , Tippa Ire Etc. Too many to mention LOLits difficult to explain why reggae attracted me so strongly i think it was the expression of social injustice and a form of expression that i just completely related to as a young kid who had quite a n unsettling early life and was growing up in`Thatcherite `Britain . my stepdad was the main provider for our family and he was unemployed for a time so we could not afford the things my friends had materially so i guess i had resentment about this.i feel the rebelliousness in Punk music and the whole Anarchistic movement but have never been a fan of guitar music.the closest thing was the 2 tone ska music of `the specials` & `The Beat` , Selector Etc. this was heavily influenced by Punk Rock but had the Ska Rhythm which i liked more.
 
In the beginning did you use to rehearsal toasting before bashments, or you used to do strictly Freestyle? From your point of you, was it difficult to become respected MC???    
I started off imitating other peoples lyrics , when me and my friends were getting high i would start chatting them and my friends were totally amaxzed how accurate they sounded . this encouraged me to start writing my own lyrics and i was always more inclined to write concious stuff . i wanted to touch people the way i had been touched by powerful stirring lyrics .i always used to practice Daily and i had a decent set LOL but i was too shy to take it to the public until one of my friends who had heard me convinced me to chat on Ashanti Sound one night in 1987 .i chatted a lyric called `Mi nuh like whe ah gwan inna South Africa` Talking about apartheid and how i planned to go and mash up `Botha` (the president at the time)the place exploded when they saw this white kid chatting stuff like this and from that moment on i was addicted to the `Forward`.i would say no it was not difficult for me i think i was supposed to do this even though it took me a long time to get recognised.

How did reggae dancehall scene in England changed from your point of view? 

Around 1989 /90 there was a recession in Uk similar to now and th`rave` scene was born . this gave a lot of reggae mc`s a chance to get very well paid for their work so many of our top chatters moved over to acid house which later became jungle techno then drum and bass .many found mainstream success this way so it seemed to be the start of a mass exodus of reggae artists from uk to this scene.then the actual way reggae was played on sound systems changed from the traditional one deck to technics and the crew of Chatters and singers became one MC just talking , introducing tunes in the style we now accept as the normal way.so a combination of these things spelled the end of an era for UK reggae.Right now the dances in Uk are mostly patronised by Jamaicans and the music is almost completely JA stuff so the homegrown UK scene has suffered as far as young talent.for example back in the day a black english youth with a talent for rhyming would have started rolling with a sound system but nowadays the majority are more drawn to the Dance influenced styles like Garage, Grime and more recently what they call `bassline` and `funky house`.However we still have some amazing artists in the Uk on the reggae dancehall scene its just a harder platform for them . many get more coverage in europe and abroad.

What do you think about clashes, which are becoming really more violent and aggressive not just inna Jamaica, but also here inna Europe?                                        I grew up with clashes and love a good clash. it was my ability in clashes that helped me make my reputation .i do think they have lost their way though. it has become far too aggressive and also become imp[ossible for smaller sounds to compete because of the amount and the prices of dubplates nowadays.I like intelligent clashes preferably 2 or 3 sounds it gets confusing when there are too many sounds in one arena.

Last year your released big tune called Write Some Lyrics, which deals about importance of conscious lyrics, am I right? Do you agree with opinion that most of lyrics and messages promoted by many MCs,soundsystems nowadays, aren..t very consciouss and they think that promote violence and slackness is fun.             
Thats a huge question to answer because there are different perspectives. if youare living in a ghetto situation where this is reality for you its obviously different to a guy from in the suburbs glorifying it because he finds it cool .i dont have a great problem with slack lyrics or even some gangster lyrics if they are done intelligently and with  a little  subtlety .but the problem is this seems to now be rthe majority of dancehall music and the artists have a lot of power which could be used to educate and inspire the youth.

                      YT  &  KAYAMAN in the studio (June 2010)

Do you think people like more gangsta lyrics and music nowadays? If yes, why it is so in your opinion.

its obviously a sign of the times we are living in.its the fashion to be a thug right now its cool to be gangster . like i said before if thats a reality for you due to your circumstances its a different thing than pretending for image .some gangster lyrics are positive . look at Bounty Killer `Look into my eye` its a real gangster tune but in a way thats showing you the reality of the situation and not just wantonly glorifying  or trivialising violence.

Another your song called Wicked Act, which was probably written as reaction on terrorist attacks in London? How did life after attacks in England changed from your point of view?
I think the world changed from 9/11 maybe i shouldnt say too much of what i think about that in print but clearly security has been stepped up to an invasive level.the whole of england is under surveillance cameras at all times we live in the age of cctv , they are looking to bring in ID cards in UK lets just say i am deeply suspicious about it all.
 
Back to positive topic. After years you became respected artist, who performed in many parts of the world. But is still country, where would you like to go to perform one day?   I am truly thankful for the amount of amazing places i have been able to visit because of music i want to perform everywhere and globalise my music.to be honest for me the greatest buzz is performing in Jamaica i want to have a hit tune in JA thats my ambition.

In November 2008 you performed in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia? Did you like it, either there weren´t many people? What is the ideal massive for you as a MC?

Slovakia was a nice energy even though the show was not very full the massive were responding so i enjoyed myself. my massive is people who want to hear lyrics.

Which sound systems, Djs and artists from England would you like to advice for Slovak promoters, and why these?wow! there are many.LOL for artists  i would say Mr Williamz  is mashing up the place , Gappy Ranx has some BIIIGG! tune on road right now, Blackout JA, Bongo Chilli or if you want the place really get crazy ( In a nice way!)call mi uncle Daddy Freddy Haha.                                                                             
             

The last question is about your plans in the future with your Sativa records label and if you plan to release any live DVD from any of your shows? And you have free hands to write some message for readers of this interview! I really thank you for your time and beautiful music!

I just want to establish the label as one that promotes only good music .i definitely want to do some DVD`s in the future and also build a good player into my website with all my clips .just want to big up the readers .keep supporting the music and remember its about the vibes and the energy of the music its not a trainspotting ting having every tune on every riddim and all that.listen to it and be selective . more strength to all who are working hard and genuinely trying to contribute to the music.i think thats what we can aim for as europeans in reggae music to make a positive contribution to this mighty , powerful music that we love and not trying to act like we own it!we don`t !                                  

   MORE LIFE & MORE LOVE  

For more about YT:

www.sativarecords.com    

https://soundcloud.com/ytreggae

https://www.facebook.com/pages/YT/

                                                                                                                                     

MICAH SHEMAIAH interview (APRIL 2013)

MICAH SHEMAIAH is one of the greatest roots reggae voice from Jamaica in the last decade. He comes from young generation movement called J.O.E. (JAH OVA EVIL) and since his rockers hit tune Dread At The Control, he brought to audience also big tunes like Reggae Rockit, Rockers Party, Legal, Jah Love + many more and already three albums (the fourth is on its way in 2017).His last two albums Shalalak - Rockers Rebirth and Original Dread were both released also on vinyl LP as well as most of his singels, which are avaialable on all formats of vinyl too. Micah itself is ambassador for releasing music on vinyl and he is one of those few artists who fights for restoring vinyl industry in Jamaica. 
 
Greetings Micah, can you indroduce yourself littlebit and tell us where does your nickname Shemaiah come from? I read it means: ´one who fears the Almighty & one who loves the Almighty ´,  does it characterize your personality?  
Blessed love iya, I am Micah Shemaiah Abrahams, singer songwriter /studio Engineer/ producer. The name Shemaiah as you can see is not a nick name really its my middle name Given to me from birth enuh. At about age 20 my mother revealed to me what my birth names meant, MICAH- one who fears the Almighty and  SHEMAIAH  one who loves the almighty. This has brought a perfect balance to I personally, a oneness.
 
How  can you desribe us your living inna Gordon Town and compare it to Kingston City?                                            
Actually not living in Gordon town, I live in a place called Tavern close to Gordon town though, And Kingston city is not much different from Tavern..Same runnings Iya. Political robbers and blood suckers, Gangsters and RASTAFARI

In your biography is written:“ being born into the twelve tribes of israel“, what are in your opinion main differences between 12 tribes of Israel and Bobbo Shanti? Do these rasta movements somehow cooporate together or not?
To be honest over the years the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Bobbo Shanti have had there differences about food doctrines enuh, this is the only real issue that I could see between these two mansions of RASTAFARI , but they do work closely together for the upliftment of Rastafarians and people on a whole. The Bobbo Shanti, are more in a priestly role whilst the Twelve Tribes of Israel are know as the Scholars of the Rastafarian Orthodox faith. The studying of the word and removing the segregation between black white and Asian people. Ham ,Shem and Japheth . They balance each other both spiritualy and economically.

What is present situation with rastafari movement in Jamaica? Are youth people in Jamaica nowadays more interested about rasta culture by influence of artistes like you, JAH9, PROTOJE, CHRONIXX, HEMPRESS SATIVA etc. or not?

Yes, I would say the youtes are beginning to be influenced by the music and the lifestyle of this New generation. It's a Fragile situation though, as Rasta over the years have not really  continued stead fast on the vision from which it started, the Elders that were the pioneers of those days have somewhat strayed the mental from trying to achieve spiritual liberation from the system and Bringing forward the power of RASTAFARI through the eyes of Africa. In my opinion we were drugged with a little power and some of us bought with a little promise of affluence enuh.  So the mother land ( AFRICA ) is still awaiting its creators.
    As a young vibrant and knowledgable generation we will bring Rasta from mostly being a fad and way to rebel, to being the spiritual backbone for youths coming up in this time. We aim to teach them that its more than just locks and Red Green and Gold. THERE IS ACTUALLY A MISSION AND A VISION FOR THE PEOPLE.

Do you think that things around SNOOP LION, Bunny Wailer and Rastafarians has somehow brought back interest about rasta movement also from abroad? 
They say every kind of publicity is good publicity, but Rasta nuh need publicity. Spirituality is just being one with everything. I think this farce is helping to do two things. TO WATER DOWN THE SPIRITUAL BASE ON WHICH RASTAFARI  STANDS,  AND TO CREATE A HYBRID RASTA WITH NO DEPTH,  JUST SURFACE LIVITY.

You are also part of project called JAH OVA EVIL, what can you tell us about it? What are its main activities?
JAH OVA EVIL IS  Joe Alty Nunes,  great friend and brother, humble Soul, warrior fi JAH. The purpose of the movement now called JAH OVA evil is just what the name says. Time for evil to fear good.

According to you and your musical beginnings when you have started singing and playing music?What were your musical influences when you was a youth? Do they change since then, or are same still now? 
Mi just loved being RASTAFARI, wanted all my friends at school to experience what it was like growing up in the House of Rasta. Loved music also enuh, so the influence was through powerful bredren and sistren dedicating there entire musical journey to the awakening of the true spirit on earth enuh. Real 

What are the hardest obstacles and barries for young, upcoming reggae artistes in Jamaica? Is it much more difficult if artist is a rasta?                                                    
There is only one obstacle really, ones self enuh, for we have already been exposed to the struggles of the generation before us and that the knowledge of RASTAFARI takes you to another place where most people avoid going. So the journey in its most beautiful form will always be extremely hard. I and I just have to push on through

During year 2009 your album Rasta meditation was released, how can you desribe it, who produce it, what kind of musicians played there and what was the feedback from the listeners?                                                                          
The RASTAMAN MEDITATION album was a self produced project. I built most of the riddims myself did most of the engineering too, almost all of those songs on that album were voiced by me running from the computer to the voicing booth and back, it was crazy. There were some tracks though that were done by mi Bredda Jahnoi Nunes and I also did a track with Earl Chinna Smith  called Giving Thanks . Sold  my car, left my Job as a Paralegal and almost lost my woman in the making of this project. The  album was something I had to do at the time enuh, cause I had reached a cross roads in music where in order to keep my love for it in the midst of great struggles I had to see if the world would ever accept me as one of RASTAFARI'S musical vessels. So I put my Meditation out to the world enuh. The feedback gave me strength to push on.

Your brand new upcoming hit tune Dread At The Control mashed up di music scene in all corners of the world with its reggae rockers sound and irie vibes inna video, what can you tell us about that tune , video and featuring artistes as well?
Well that tune came about down a Portland enuh, a place called boundbrook in Port Antonio. After discovering the sweet almost Jah love vibes of the Kingston dub club inna Reggae Mountain with Gabre Selassie and his Rockers Soundstation, mi trod go a Portland enuh cool and peaceful. The vibe just flowed from JAH, the song came.  I started to put it together with Infinite, then as we do on most occasions when wi find a sweet vibe wi share it enuh, suh wi bring in TJ (likkle Briggie )and Hempress Sativa as they are not only mi Bredda and sista they are children of original Rockers legends inna this music enuh, then JAHKIME wi youngest warrior right now, to give him the push he needed for the industry here to open there ears to another great young sound. JAH create magic fi wi iya, wi give thanks.

Dread At The Control gonna be released on vinyl 45 on E.D.B. Entr., is it important for you as artist to make a vinyl release for tune like this? What is present situation with vinyl pressing in Jamaica? Are there being vinyls sold still more abroad than in JA?

Dem basically kill wi vynl industry inna Jamaica enuh, the people have a fast food mentality and Jamaican's are mostly wagonists suh dem used the new shine of Cd's and download media fi drain the life outa the Record buisness, but we know that if all the upcoming artistes that have a demand inna earth do there music on vynl it will regenerate the market and help our sound to survive. Wi seh vynl straight.

Video for Dread At The Control includes parts from Kingston Dub Club, can you tell us something about clubs history and activities?
Well the history as I know It is really Gabre Selassie being true to the roots and helping to create a hub where we all can go and hold a good vibes with each other without feeling strange because we are Rockers youtes. we just would not fit in anywhere else. Give thanks to GABRE SELASSIE

     

Accoring to sound system culture, what are your favourite jamaican foundation and present sound systems and why?
There is only one sound I love and thats Rockers truth and rights music. When I was growing up it was JAH LOVE , now it's ROCKERS SOUND STATION.

What about your live performences, what you bring to people when you come up the stage? Do you prefer performing accoustic alone or playing with full equiped band?
I man jus love to be alive enuh , and only live music can make you feel alive on stage so as long as its live mi good iya, Acoustic is more personal suh when wi really want to talk to the people in depth wi bring it to the simplest form. 

What are your future plans? When we can look forward to Micah Shemaiah LP album or next rockers hit tune Reggae Rockit? Where and when do you plan also tour?:
Well right now mi deh US for a promotional tour, having trouble going to Europe for the summer enuh, cause most of my songs are done in collaboration  with my brothers and sisters inna di music, and the promoters don't want to take a chance to bring us enuh, they mainly want to bring I alone, so I will wait on the time when di I dem can afford to bring us all enuh. As for the release of music, wi jus wait on JAH seen.

As last question I am giving yuh free space to give some message to people reading this interview.I thank you for your time to answer my question and of course nuff respect fi music yuh doing.
AS I SAID EARLIER ENUH, ITS TIME FOR EVIL TO FEAR GOOD . AND I AM FOREVER GIVING THANKS FOR THE STRENGTH AND SUPPORT FROM ALL PEOPLE.  SELASSIE I 

Questions: KAYAMAN/ONE-OFF ROCKERS


FOR MORE INFO ABOUT MICAH SHEMAIAH follow the links bellow:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MICAH-SHEMAIAH-MUSIC/

http://www.reverbnation.com/micahshemaiah

https://soundcloud.com/micah-shemaiah