Upadate Mar 2011 News by JuLion

Been traveling the Canadian reggae scene as some of you are aware for a time now and been attempting to figure an inroad to bringing the genre to the so-called mainstream.  Forty years of this being performed in Canada with no airplay on pop radio giving the genre any possibility of earning a ‘living’ here…  So it continues to make one wonder why not?  Is it because reggae speaks the ‘news’?  Is it because reggae speaks uncompromising truth?  No, not every reggae tune does so as there are tunes that can make even the ardent reggae fan cringe, but there are enough to bring ‘news’ to the masses.

Reggae speaks of God Almighty which on a good day isn’t popular.  We are more interested in exorcism, vampires, werewolves, the occult and demonic chants that rule this godless time that we are currently living in as those subjects are more ‘entertaining’ than praising Father God.  Reggae tells us about God and SELLS!  That is not popular to those who make legislation taking prayer out of schools, our governments.

 Buju Banton - Easily the most talked about reggae artist outside of Robert Nesta Marley, Buju Banton’s impact on reggae music has been a positive force for many in the ghettos worldwide as well as the spiritual psyche of many in different walks of life.  One of the few artists that possess crossover appeal as strongly to men as well as to women even from very diverse cultures, Buju is one of the most influential voices in reggae today. As we are all now aware, he was found guilty of possession with the intention for trafficking and sentenced for 20 to life in an American prison.  What we are all also aware is that if Buju was not dealing with cocaine, he would not be incarcerated in the first place, even if U.S. law prohibits its federal agents from entrapment which seems pretty clear to many in this case.  They have reggae’s most influential voice!  They will make anything stick!  They still have a need to explain to all you ‘niggers’ worldwide that we still own you and we still stomp you, even when we are ‘wrong’ and like 500 years ago there is nothing you can do about it.  Buju’s celebrity is very important to them!  The “system” does not change!

Many of Buju’s detractors are coming out of the woodwork at this point as it is easier to kick a man when he is down.  Some point to the fact this case is receiving far too much press especially for a one who is guilty of attempting to purchase cocaine and if it weren’t Buju, we would not be discussing this incident.  Well, he is Buju Banton!  He is totally deserving of the attention and notoriety that he is currently receiving!  Seems pretty redundant to have to point that out.  Nothing changes America’s need to shit on Africans and Buju is their latest victim.  Buju’s name will shed light on the U.S. continued propensity for disregarding the “law” when it suits them, yet it will make ZERO difference because of their history of fuc*king ‘niggers’ worldwide for five hundred years!  Some actually think “things are better than they used to be” and continue to buy into the myth.  We are still scum on the soles of the shoes of the power and that has not changed.
 
“Boom Bye Bye” is a tune that the gay community and many others point to pertaining to Buju’s contribution to reggae music while many others have that tune in their ipods.  They seem to disregard the NUMBERS of tunes Buju has done praising God Almighty, Jah Ratafari.  I am not EVER saying that I condone killing anyone for sexual preference / orientation but I listen to Buju’s words of praise and truly enjoy his works.  I am not the only one that feels this way about his spiritual contributions and will forever be fans of Buju Banton the artist.  I like to hear about praising The Father so I’ll pray to hear more of Buju in the not too distant future.  He is no “hero” or “role model” to me or my children, just an artist whose work I am fully entertained by.

Reggae Canada - Many exciting things continue to occur for the reggae industry in Canada.  I’d like to take the time to big up all of the artists who continue to produce singles as well as albums in 2011.  I can’t mention everyone and mean no disrespect to you if you are not personally mentioned in this article but I do have pride in the efforts that continue to be put forth by reggae Canada.  I wish to bring special mention to Souljah Fyah out in Vancity who continue to bring album after album and produced a fine piece of work this 2011 “I Wish”. Fusions of roots reggae, dancehall and jazz are combined to make this a worthy purchase and I do encourage any and all to fiscally support the artist /s and purchase their music.  I also want to say big up to Nicky Dread out there in Guelph who helps to keep me honest whenever I focus too much in Toronto and not apprecilove reggae getting played in our varied communities. Also wish to congratulate those nominated for the 2011 Juno awards in the reggae category Lyndon John LJX, Tony Anthony, Dubmatix (Jesse King), Tonya P and Elaine Lil Bit Shepherd.  I have the luxury of not picking a winner or having to chose between some of the most talented, hardworking folks in Canadian reggae today, but congrats same way.

For a moment there it seemed like we were losing two media sources for reggae music in Flow 93.5fm dropping their Sunday reggae show as well as CKLN losing their license.  In Flows case, I felt that it did not matter.  I’m of course sorry that Spex lost this forum but I truly suspect that he will create and re-create in different ways in future times.  The point is that Flow was never a support system for the reggae community from its inception to this very day so it will not be missed in my mind.  As I have alluded to in the past, the reggae community needs to focus on Radio Canada as opposed to one radio station that was once owned by a black business man.  Reggae can be played anywhere at any time in my books so it is with that concept that I see the loss of Spex’s show as a loss of folks chance of listening to reggae music.  Any loss of reggae playing is a loss, period!  No matter who’s playing it.  Flow for its part is no loss to me.

In CKLN’s case, that could be a HUGE loss.  Community radio was once the fabric of the reggae culture especially through the 70s, 80s and the 90s here in Toronto.  Due to technology and far more interactive media, traffic and distraction, community radio isn’t as influential as it once was but for reggae music, many still listen and IF CKLN finally loses its license, it will be a major void created within the reggae genre.  CKLN for its history as well as its contributions to the Toronto community as well as the reggae community and its history is irreplaceable in my opinion.  Tony Barnes, DJ Chocolate (Lauren Speers), Ron Nelson, Sweet Tee, Denise Benson, Dave Kingston, Mercedes, Allan Jones, Norman Otis Richmond and the many, many, many who have guest DJ’d to bring us thousands of hours of reggae music and African topics and conversation, we truly thank you all and know that if they finally lose the license, they will be greatly missed.

Reggae must always fight!  Not a real problem for us though as the music is borne out of strife.  We are born rebels!  We can and will create more and more avenues to get the music to the massive.  The cliché saying that “when a door closes, a window is opened someplace else” is a fact of life and a stance that I take in order to achieve my reggae goals or my own personal life.  Reggae will find a way!

 

Upadate Nov 2010 News by JuLion

I love Reggae Music! I can listen to reggae music every single day, so it is with that love that I use to fire the inspirations that drive me to support and contribute in the ways that I do. Currently I celebrate this love every Monday night at The Ossington – 61 Ossington - @ an event that I call The Lion’s Den.  This concept reunites the selecta, with the singers and entertainers and a personal, intimate touch with the audience.  Our first selecta was none other than The Juiceman, Jonathan Shaw who has since made way for Briggidier Kingsley of Jah International Sound as well as Xixgon Sound with Deejay Shai alongside Kwesi.  Corn soup on sale by Ras Rohan and the vibes are blessed.  The singers and entertainers will become a more integral part of what we do as we go forward.  RaLion, Belinda, Chester Miller, Elaine Lil Bit Sheppard, Fredlocks Asher, Cyta, Progress, King Ujah and others will be called on for the future. As you may know, this isn’t a new concept but a recreation from my youth in Jamaica that I am blessed to share with an appreciative audience.
 
A part of my reggae journey is observing the impact of the genre here in Canada as well as worldwide.  Here at home, I can’t help but be impressed by the miles of travel as well as the number of shows Mark Steele puts in from Canada to Jamaica, always proudly waving the Canadian reggae flag.  If you want more say, “Gwaan Steele”.  Large raspect mi Idren!
 
I’ve also got to send out major congratulations to Prince Blanco (Mark Atrill Matthews) and Jessie King of Dubmatix our winners in the reggae category for the 2010 Juno awards. Large respect to community radio shows promoting reggae music in all its forms.  Patrick Roots, DJ Chocolate, Wayne Vernon, Junior Smith, Stretch Carr, Natty B, Sir B, Delroy Sterling, Delroy G, Luther Brown, David Dacks, Jahmin, King David and many more bring us the reggae music that we love.  I could not complete this without bringing Carrie Mullings of Rebel Vibes who has boasted an ALL Canadian reggae show for over 5 years now.  She respects the homegrown music so much that she plays, promotes and celebrates Canadian reggae by producing a charting system for Canadian artists and producers to many parts of the world including Canada, US, Jamaica, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Israel, Sierra Leone (Africa), Singapore, England, France.  Bless for your vision Miss Carrie.
 
On an international tip, it isn’t exactly a newsflash to discuss Buju Banton’s situation.  First and foremost many arguments may start with the question of why a Rastaman is dealing in cocaine.  Many feel that if it were a jumbo jet full of ganja, there would have been no issues in the minds of the reggae fan base and many would have lent easier support to those types of charges.  My thoughts on Buju is the number of spiritually powerful songs that his talent has brought to the world and how blessed I / we have been to hear, witness and dance to these musical shots.  So at this point for all of us who like to cast negativity as well as judgment I say to you, “He who hast not sinned let him cast the first stone”…  The fact that it is alleged that the situation was set up by American narcotic authority points to the fact that Buju will be released sooner than later and with this opportunity Buju needs to be far more careful, considering his aggressive stance against homosexuality.  He is already a ‘marked’ man because of it.  I for one look forward to Buju’s release from incarceration as well as his next album.
 
 
We also at this point show large respect to Donna Makeda, Prince Everald and The ReggaeXclusive team for their courage, perseverance as well as tenacity going through the trials and tribulations of keeping this print magazine format running for the past eight years.  Informative, supportive, thought provoking, Donna and her team deserve the accolades for the consistency of this necessary medium which can be thankless work @ times.
 
Last and certainly not least we send out love to those of you who have supported this magazine over the last eight years.  We appreciate you as a loyal and supportive audience.  Your words of encouragement to me personally, for some of the articles written, aid to guide the topics discussed and a responsibility for keeping it real.  We thank you. JuLion