Interviews
In september 2004 I started writing for the music magazine REWIND. 3R Magazine and RifRaf musiczine soon followed. Now I'm mainly writing for the Flemish reggae portal website Reggae.be and the world music blog Tropicalidad.be. The interviews I did and still do for them, are republished here. Enjoy!
- INTERVIEW OUMOU SANGARE LLOYD HOTEL AMSTERDAM 01/2009
- INTERVIEW RICO RODRIGUEZ LONDON 12/2008
- INTERVIEW DOBET GNAHORE ZUIDERPERSHUIS 11/2008
- INTERVIEW CEDRIC 'IM' BROOKS AB 11/2008
- INTERVIEW MINYESHU ZUIDERPERSHUIS 11/2008
- INTERVIEW FEMI KUTI FLAGEY 10/2008
- INTERVIEW ANTHONY B VOORUIT 10/2008
- INTERVIEW ERNEST RANGLIN HELDEN IN HET PARK 08/2008
- INTERVIEW ALPHA BLONDY REGGAE GEEL 08/2008
- INTERVIEW BITTY MCLEAN REGGAE GEEL 08/2008
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
All
INTERVIEW BARRINGTON LEVY FESTIVAL MUNDIAL 06/2005
Barrington big up! A bit sad about that ending here tonight, but that's just Holland, they watch their clocks and cut you off. I hope you aren't too upset about the whole thing?
Barrington Levy: "Of course I feel bad! Why do they invite me here, to insult me? That's not nice! I thought the promoter would be interested to see a crowd that was glad to see an artist. If that doesn't seem to matter and it's all about making money that is bad news. I wish they could hear this! I've come from too far for them to just cut me off like that, but I won't make any problems, I just walked off. I know God is not sleeping!"
Let's go right back in time then. Has music always been a top priority in your life or was there a period when you were considering taking another path in life?
Barrington Levy: "There was a time when I was thinking of taking another road, yes, but the right side of myself wouldn't let me. When you're in the business and you aren't getting any support that is rough and discouraging."
Your career really took a flight when you started working with Henry 'Junjo' Lawes and later on with Jah Screw. How do you look back on these two producers?
Barrington Levy: "I wish I hadn't been involved with Junjo, but working with Jah Screw was and still is fun. Working with Junjo was a disaster in one sense. Junjo thought he helped me butt in reality no one helped me. I helped myself because I'm the one who went out there and did it! (Junjo Lawes reportedly sold out Barrington Levy by signing his name to Barrington's songs and selling off the credits, red.)"
When you were writing hits like 'Under Mi Sensi' or 'Broader Then Broadway', did you know right of that they were going to be big?
Barrington Levy: "Nobody can tell me that they know something is going to be a hit. Saying that would be lying. It's the fans, the people who make a record a hit. I can tell you that I enjoyed writing them that is true. I had a feeling inside of me that the people would love these songs, but I never really knew."
VP Records have two new releases on the market called 'Sleng Teng Resurrection' and '1985 Sleng Teng Extravaganza'. The popularity of that Wayne Smith tune keeps growing, while little or no respect is shown to the original, 'Under Mi Sensi'. What are your feelings towards that?
Barrington Levy: "I feel blessed. It's just that King Jammy should be man enough to admit he came to England, saw that 'Under Mi Sensi' was mashing up the place and took it back to Jamaica. I would be feeling better then. Jammy is acting like he originated the whole tune, but 'Under Mi Sensi' is 'Under Me Sleng Teng', the melody and the words! That's it!"
I want to go back to something you mentioned on stage earlier. You talked about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Do you take care of that yourself, in the things you eat for example?
Barrington Levy: "No one is perfect, but you can try your best. Real healthy food is scarce especially in these parts of the world. Everything is treated with fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides. You don't have a lot of choice because if you don't use chemicals, insects are going to eat your crops. I'm just saying be aware! Try your best to live healthy."
