INTERVIEW : RICHIE SPICE
Interview by : Sébastien Jobart
Pictures by : DR
on Saturday, May 31st 2008 - 9 661 views
Richie Spice has hardly changed. Already in 2004, when we met him in London among the other members of the Fifth Element Crew, his detachment had struck us. Cryptic answers, almost whispered… The man was not really cut out to be a great orator. As his fourth album, "Guideon boot", comes out, it is an even-tempered Richie Spice we meet again to go back over his recent journey with us. Without pouring his heart out.
Reggaefrance / We last met you in London four years ago. At that time, you were part of the 5th Element crew. All that must seem a long way off now?
Richie Spice / Yes, it’s been a long time.
Do you now feel totally independent from Fifth Element?
That’s ancient history. I give thanks for life, because as long as you’re alive, you know you’ll keep moving forward. I grow by going from one trial to the next, that’s what happens. I keep moving forward. I’m happy to be here.
"In the street to Africa" really established you as one of the leaders of conscious reggae singers.
I don’t consider myself special compared to other artists. But I have been special to myself. Jah blessed me, I have a divine power, a certain inspiration to make good music for the people here. So I feel special within myself.
Yet it was a long road for you to recognition and success.
It was a difficult period, very hard.
Did you think about quitting music?
Yes, it crossed my mind at one point, but I held on. I knew that one day it would happen. I kept creating music. Because without music, it would have been harder.
It seems you release fewer singles and concentrate more on albums.
Yes, because an album shows your art and creativity better. I still make singles, but I try to compile albums to really bring a story to the songs.
Can you tell us about your new album "Guideon boot"?
"Guideon boot" tells people to come together, to stand firm, that if they want power, they can have it. They have the power to represent their pride and to set an example for future generations. The album has 16 tracks, the sole producer is Bobby Digital, but there are two songs on the album credited to two other producers: Arif Cooper for World is a cycle on the Guardian Angel riddim, and Flavor, who produced the song Di plane land.
Had you already recorded for Digital B?
Yes. I had already worked on a few tracks. Bobby has had enough for an album for four or five years!
On the cover of your first album, "Universal", you appear with a broad smile. You look much more serious on your recent covers.
I’ve always been serious. But the older you get, the more you learn. The more music you play, the more confidence you can have on your face. But I still have that inner smile, because that one never leaves you.
Let’s talk about the lyrics of In the streets, in light of the situation in Jamaica.
In Jamaica right now the situation is getting worse, but it doesn’t only concern Jamaica, it’s a global crisis. That’s also why I put this song, World crisis, on the album. Because the situation is worldwide, as you can see at the moment with the soaring prices that the whole world is feeling. All of this is putting the world under pressure right now.
Are you politically involved in your community?
No, no, I’m for the people. But I’m involved in my community, helping young people, funding sports activities, computers for schools.
Clive Hunt produced Grooving my girl. Would you like to work with him again?
Yes, I would. Clive Hunt is also one of the producers on the album "In the streets to Africa". He produced the combination with Spanner Banner, Baby face.
Five years ago, new roots was at the top of the charts. Now the public seems to favour dancehall. What do you think of this new musical cycle?
Reggae music is the style of music I sing. It never runs dry, it never changes. For me, dancehall is a style of music that needs promotion and sponsors in order to exist. That’s not what I sing. I sing music that lasts, eternal music, which means you can still play it five years later. On "Gideon boot", there are tracks that are a few years old and you can still play them and find substance and energy in them.
Can you tell us about the Spice show you organise every year in your community?
Spice is a show I organised in my community, but I’m not sure I’ll hold the event this year because I’m looking for sponsors to reorganise it in a professional way, at another level. I keep in mind that this event must be preserved. I remain active in my community…
Red Stripe has withdrawn its sponsorship of Sumfest and Sting. What do you think?
Red Stripe pulled out of reggae sponsorship because, according to them, of the lyrics of certain dancehall artists. That targets a certain type of music. I don’t know what to say on the subject because I did the job the way I was supposed to, without deviating.
What will happen if a conscious artist like you, who has nothing to do with dancehall, can no longer find sponsors for his own show?
I did my best, what more can I do? I have always tried to keep the music clean, but now others are trying to wipe out our music with another style of music, instead of supporting the music I play. They should step back and support the kind of music I make.
What is the theme of the single Di plane land, which you shot the video for in New York?
It’s about the situation of people who travel regularly and cross borders. I remember I was on tour and I arrived in the United States, I was travelling with medicine because of a cold, I couldn’t get through customs and I was upset by the situation. It’s just a meditation on people who travel. Everyone who has ever flown abroad knows what I’m talking about.
What is your relationship with Chuck Fender? He left Fifth Element a long time ago but you still share stages with him in Jamaica and the United States.
My relationship with Chuck Fender is okay. We saw each other the other day in the studio. I’ve never had a problem with him: we do the same job, we share the stage, the mic, the headphones.
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