When we say Natty King, we immediately add "The Man From East". Why did you choose to stress the fact you come from the east of Jamaica?
Natty King: "Because Marcus Garvey once said: "A wise prophet will come from the East!" and since I am from the east of Jamaica the people started calling me "The Man From East". I'm like a musical prophet from the East."
You're from a place called St. Thomas that also brought forth people like Bushman or Gramps Morgan (Morgan Heritage, red.). It's often said that there's this particular vocal style that has developed there. Do you agree?
Natty King: "Again, that's something that came from the people, but I have to agree to a certain point. My voice sounds somewhat like Bushman's and now you got fresh talent like Prince Theo. What binds us is that we all sing with big strong voices. I think that's because we have to drown out the roaring sound of the river. We have to sing loud if we want to be heard, building up our voices till they are strong as a rock!"
What can you tell us about your home parish of St. Thomas?
Natty King: "I hail from a place called Bath in St. Thomas, where hot water springs from the rock. A lot of people come there to benefit from the healing and purifying properties of these natural hot springs. It's healing water and when you drink it, it will purge you."
The tune that launched you internationally was 'No Guns To Town'. Can you tell us how that song came about?
Natty King: "Natty King grew up in the ghetto and the ghetto is a place of lots of crime and violence. It's the place where the poor, hungry and needy dwell. I grew up in places like Swallowfield and Mountain View, bad places, and 'No Guns To Town' just describes part of my life. At election time they wanted me to vote, but I answered I don't vote for Babylon politician because I'm Rastafarian, so they started threatening me, telling me they were going to cut my locks and so on. It's that vibe I experienced then that I tried to put in the song."
Jamaican tradition wants it that your nickname or stage name is given to you by your peers or by the public. In your case it were Steelie and Clevie who gave you yours.
Natty King: "Yeah man, you heard the story! I recorded my first 45 with them, so nuff respect."
At the end of the "Natural Mystic" DVD, you appear as a sort of tour guide at the Ja'Sound festival in France. How did you get involved in that project?
Natty King: "(laughs) That was the time I had a big hit with 'No Guns To Town'. The people in France really loved me, so they invited me to play at the Ja'Sound festival in Bagnols-sur-Cèze. I really have to big up Natty Dread Magazine and Ragga Magazine for supporting and promoting my music. From the time I got of the plane these guys were there filming me. They took me all over the place; it was just a natural vibe, me talking to the people on the street and thing, nothing planned out. Thing is, everywhere I go people talk to me about that documentary, but I haven't seen it yet myself!"