PURPLEMAN interview (MARCH 2017)

PURPLEMAN aka PETER YELLOW is one of those DJ´s who ruled the dancehall in the 80´s but still many people mislead him with his friend and other legendary DJ from 80´s called YELLOWMAN.Back to Purpleman who deejayed with many Jamaican sound systems like King Jammy´s, Youth Promotion, Black Scorpio, Killimanjaro.He released albums with Yellowman, Sister Nancy, Peter Tollo, Fathead. Then due to health problems he wasnt recording and performing but then in 2014 he came back straight ahead with new album called  “Home Once more“.Nowadays is very active in recording new songs, dubplates for djs/sounds and even a new big tune called “General“ was released on 7inch vinyl and new thing with Junior Demus & Eek A Mouse is being recorded these days. Purpleman is also setting things for his European tour 2017. For me it was honour to make this interview with him, because he is one of foundation DJs with unique style.

Greetings king, in the beginning I would like to talk about your DJ names, because as well as you are known as Purpleman in the begining you were called  Peter Yellow. Tell us about the grow from likkle boy  Anthony Jones till you became Peter  Yellow and later Purpleman. Is true that Nicodemus came with nickname Purpleman?
I never really named myself people just gave me name because of my complexion (yellow or colour man) from a young age however when i did my first professional recording for Jammys he used the name Peter Yellow..Peter is my actual name and Yellow for my complexion...Nicodemus my teacher and great friend of mine said to me after my first three albums for Jammys that there was too much Yellow in the business so my name would be Purpleman :)

You come from Waterhouse area, where many reggae legendary musicians, singers, DJS come from, which of them influenced you when you were a youth? Did you have some foundation DJ idols when you were just in the begining  of Djing?
Nicodemus was lways my favourite DJ and as a singer Leroy Smart and Sugar Minott

Your uncle gave you opportunity to start to DJ for people on his soundsystem, do you remember those times and what was difference to DJ on your uncles sound and then later when you DJ at dances called Studio Mix Hi Fi?  Who used to DJ on your uncles soundsystem except of you?
I remember them days clearly, i was just drawn to the music from day one,the older folks used to bring me to dances and put me on crates so i could be tall enuff to hold the mic and chant lol..The days on my uncle sound was just me practising by time i reach studio mix i was now a professional and could cork a dance on any given night..i was only one to deejay my uncles sound,it was just a small set in my yard that i used as rehearsal for the big leagues

In 80´s King Jammy recorded your first hit tune “Level Vibes“on his Jammys Label, which was followed with your debut albums Hot and DJ Confrontation with UBrown released in 1982, how do you remember those times when you heard your own recording of yourself? Made your debut album open doors for your career?
I never paid attention to studio recordings,im a original dancehall toaster and my studio recordings never really did anything to boost my popularity on the dancehall scene,my style and creativity ensured i was a big billing anywhere i go..I was and still is the Original RAM DANCE MAN ,before the show promoters drove me around on top of cars for advertising and later DANCE RAM..I am just now realizing because of socail media th impact of my actual recordings have and im grateful the music touched so many souls which is ultimate goal in music "To Make the massive feel irie"

Between 1983 – 1984 you recorded other several great albums with various Jamaican legendary DJs like Yellowman, Pappa Tollo but also Fathead, Sister Nancy, Sister Candy, were those combination albums idea of you DJs or producers came with the idea to make something like clashing studio album among DJS?
Yea man i recorded for Channel One,Striker Lee and Junjo Lawes, they just did what they wanted with tunes,so combination was their idea

In 1980´s according to photos of you and Yellowman both of you dressed, looked and even sound similar, did people use to misschange you or not? Still nowadays you can find disscussion about your and his albums, if it was recorded by you or Yellowman. How was your link among you and Yellowman? Was he older influence for you or such another rival inna DJ business?
To this day i still get called Yellow when i walk the streets LOL,i even have a song abt it called "Who say the purple look like Yellowman" ..Me and Yellow never had no issues really,we both recorded on Channel One and Junjo Lawes,we never had a lyrical confrontation or anything like that,just two talented DJs whom the people love..He has more commercial success than me so people gonna always think i patterned his style but truth is we both started out same time and fact we are similar is just works of the Almighty and we have great respect for each other.

After 1985 due to your illness problem you stopped DJing until 2014 when you released your come back album Home once more and since that time your back in the music business. People had also opportunity to see you to DJ live on Vinyl Thursday bashment among youth blood inna reggae business, how do you like this young reggae revival movement? Do you have some favourite artists/sounds among them???
I love and support all positive forms of music,slackness was never me and its still not me,once your doing good positive music i love and support you..I come forward to enlighten the youths about the positive start and how we set it

According to dances and live performances how them change from your point of view of DJ? Do you see some significant differences between dances in 80s and nowadays?
Yes man great difference especially in Jamaican with the exception of  places like Vynl Thursdays and Dub Club..back then it was about positive music and DJ toasting in a respectful and joyous manner,making up lyrics on the spot to musically kill of a next sound but we were all friends after dance and had a drink..nowadays its different with all warring factions in dancehall and disrespectful songs..but the tables must turn amd im out here leading that movements and doing what i can to restore dancehall to the glory days of niceness

Just few days ago your were inna studio recording jingles and dubplates for sounds and selectors from all over the world, do you have some favourite riddims which you prefer to record on? Last time you were inna studio with Eek A Mouse, Junior Demus so it comes to my mind if are still cool vibes during recording inna Studio as it used to be during recording inna 80´s??
Yea man vibe is great ,its all part of the plan to bring back the music so all us originals have to come together and put in some work and show the youths the righteous way..I don't actually write any lyrics ,riddims talk to me and i talk what i hear off top of my head lol..so i prefer good riddims that have good messages for me to tell the people..but in all honestly i ride anything you throw my way,Jah bless i with that talent...

In the begining of 2017 you released a big tune General, what can your fans expect more from you later this year? I know you are setting plans for your Europe tour, so you are ready and open for bookings now for upcoming summer reggae festival season?
I could actually drop a new album right now lol..When i go studio i drop at least 4 songs per day,but my manager/producer Triple Ace of JISLAND RECORDS choose what he wants to put out and when..we originally wanted to drop a single every month this year but we held back because the song General was picked up by a Vynl Distributor and will be coming soon we held back a little so we can push that..my next album will ne actually called " Dancehall General" and will feature lots of collaboration with other Generals of the business like Eekamouse,Glen Riks,Baby Demus (son of of Jnr Demus) and many more..im ready for touring and meeting everyone who love and support my music over the years and can be reach at jahpurples@gmail.com for bookings

In my last question I would like to thank you for your time to answer my questions and give you free space to say last words from you to your fans and readers of this interview. We wish you all the best in your life and DJ career.
Right now i want to give a big thank you to all the fans and well wishers who supported me all through the years and continue to..sometimes the struggle is hard and i feel like giving up but i get a message on facebook from a fan and i remember why i do what i do..Massi e love and respect and i hope to meet you all soon..Biiiiiiiiiimmmm


Questions: KAYAMAN/ONE-OFF ROCKERS


info/CONTACT: facebook.com/Purpleman

NEW SINGLE GENERAL ON 45 VINYL AVAILABLE HERE:  buyreggae.com/PURPLEMAN-GENERAL+DUB VERSION