INTERVIEW : CAPLETON
Interview by : Benoit Collin
Pictures by : Karl Joseph
on Monday, May 10th 2004 - 15 752 views
Meeting Capleton is always a special moment. The man exerts a kind of feline, animal attraction, and his Word never runs dry. Met during his latest visit to France, the "Prophet" appeared smiling, relaxed and available. A free-flowing conversation on subjects as varied as his beginnings, the Internet, and his conception of "faya".
Reggaefrance / Hello Capleton, thank you for giving us some of your time...
Capleton / Yeah man, holy Emmanuel I, Selassie I, give thanks for life, blessing, more prosperity, more love, more glory, strenght.
Can you tell us where the name Capleton comes from?
It comes from a lawyer. A lawyer gave me that name. He was called Mr Capleton.
You started on Steewart Brown's sound system...
African Star...
You were with Ninja Man, Anthony Malvo...
And Shabba...
Can you give us more detail? What did you learn?
I learned a lot moving with African Star. I learned to be connected with the business. That's where it all began: from the sound system to the studio. Moving with African Star, I had my first experience in Clarendon where there was a show with Ninjaman, Anthony Malvo, Flourgon. After that, I got connected with Xterminator, that's where I recorded my first 45. And ever since, "the fire keeps burning".
What were your influences at the beginning?
Music, just music. I've had music in me since I was born. It's an innate concept.
Who were your favourite artists?
One of my favourite artists as a deejay: Papa San. But otherwise, all the "cultural" artists, from Bob Marley to Burning Spear, everybody who sings ("chant"), Daddy Roy (U-Roy), Big Youth, Max Romeo. You know my favourite song when I was a kid was Macchabee Version, by Max Romeo. (He sings it, then goes straight into Lion, by Burning Spear). Those two songs were really my favourites. I grew up with the "righteousness" so I always knew which direction to go. Because we have a purpose, a desire, and we thank God for fulfilling it. We carry that to many places, to different corners of the planet. That's what people "appreci-love". You see, we don't say "appreciate" like Babylon (there is the sound "hate" in it, Ed.), we say "appreci-love". So let us thank God for the music, for the message and the blessings of Rastafari. It allows me to keep the strength, the energy to deliver the message here, to accomplish the work of the Most High.
Then you met Philip "Fattis" Burell...
Yes, he's the founder of Xterminator.
You recorded your first single, Bombo Red, in 1989. In 1992/93, you chose the Rasta path and made conscious songs on your 2nd album, "Almhouse". Since then, you have become ever more conscious, ever more spiritual. Can you tell us about that period?
It's really the power of Rastafari that brought me to this level. In our youth, we knew that our people had lived on the plantations, under the authority of the slave master, we knew slavery, not only mental but physical. I grew up in a system where people are oppressed and suppressed, again and again. That gives me strength to write certain kinds of songs and to get the message across. It's really what I see with my own eyes, that's the life I'm talking about.
You released two albums with VP, "More Fire" in 2000 and "Still Blazing" in 2002. What can you say about those albums?
It took the music to another level, in terms of "fire". Fire is the purification of humanity, and on those two albums there is still roots in a traditional vibes, the Nyabingi. Even if there are always 2 or 3 dancehall tracks or tracks defending women, we stay close to the roots. When I say it took me to a different level, it's because in many places on Earth people are now receiving the message. I give thanks for this blessing. And it will get better and better because the work never stops.
It's continuous work because only music lives and never dies, it spreads everywhere and I give thanks to the people in the four corners of the world who receive the message. You can see how people feel the energy and feel that the music encourages them, "uplifts" them in terms of their heritage, their culture, their philosophy, so that they know better days are ahead. This music teaches us to stay focused, this music teaches us to move away from oppression and depression. This music is going to save us, we just have to listen to it without asking questions. We give thanks to God for this music, it's the music of life, the music of fire.
We thank you...
I thank the public too because they are here to lift this work up as well. All those who look for tracks that speak to them, because we are just warners, we can't save anybody. It is up to each man to save himself from judgement, no man can answer for the judgement, or the life, of another. But we can always enlighten each other, the temperance of one can shine on another. That's why we talk about the fulfilment and the manifestations of the powers of the Most High. When you find that, you have to speak about what you found and how you found it. So more love, more blessings, more prosperity, let us give thanks for the music again, for Rastafari. Keep the fire burning, only fire can purify.
Can you clarify your concept of "fire"?
Fire is the ultimate force. If there is no fire, there is no life, there are no machines. So the fire must keep burning, Bob Marley already said it: they can take the gold, the diamonds, the money, everything, but they cannot take the fire. Fire is a liberation. Fire is within us. Fire is everything we can see that is Alive. I & I see Life in terms of Nature. We burn the illusions and the fantasies. With fire comes salvation, redemption, repatriation, liberation, breath, emancipation...
Where does the fire come from?
Fire comes from self-esteem, self-control, self-reliance. Fire is being yourself, no matter what you are and where you're from. Fire also means: not accepting everything that goes on here. Look within. Everything is inside you. No matter where you are on earth, you must find something in yourself that frees you, that redeems you. Even the Almighty, you find him within yourself. People think they're going to heaven, they go into space to find the Almighty. They should be told never to stray far from themselves. You have this fire inside, you know what I mean? Everything is inside you.
Last year, you released a DVD with Next Music. What do you make of this growth of video in music?
It's positive. It's the next medium to spread the message. It lets people see our performances on stage, the crowd, the vibe we share with people... It's the next step for music, and for artists. Technology moves forward every day. It's all good! Actually, it's my second DVD. The first one came out in the USA, "Still Blazing".
Are you preparing a new album?
Yes, I'm preparing a new album, called "Reign of Fire". The fire rains forever, it never stops. It can't be put out with water, you know?
Still with VP?
Yes, it will be my third album for VP. We had a three-album contract. So it's my last album for them, the next one will be on my own label, David House. I'm going to pay more attention to the label now. There are enough emerging artists to make an album. I can't wait to take care of all that. I want to produce other artists. International artists too, not only from David House.
In some of your songs, you talk about the Internet. What is your opinion on the music piracy that the Internet makes possible?
It's the next medium for getting hold of new tracks. You lose on one side, you win on another, you know? All the money lost is that much love, respect from people and popularity gained. And besides, I'll always need the Internet to spread my message. I always need the Internet to see what's happening in Babylon, and the plans they're cooking up to hurt people. You know what I mean? (laughs)
Do you use the Internet?
No, I don't really know how to work a computer, so I stay away from it. It's not good for my eyes. It blurs my vision. Like watching television from too close.
Do you want to pass on a message to our readers?
Yes, I'd like to speak to the young people. Young people must know themselves. They must know where they are going and where they come from. Go to school to get an education. Be educated and "re-educated". So that they have new experiences, so that they have new ideas. Yeah man.
|
|
© 1999-2026
RSS
