INTERVIEW
Interview by : Filip Flatau
Pictures by : Dainty Crew & Filip Flatau
on Thursday, March 15th 2001 - 13 985 views
One of the most promising Bobo singjays for an international career is Jah Mason. Aged 28, he is a humble Bobo with a big heart, contrary to the image some try to stick on the members of David House. Although he has been present on 45s for many years, it is only soon that he will be discovered by the general public, since a deal with a distribution company has been concluded. Interview with the talented Jah Mason.
Reggaefrance / Can you tell me where in Jamaica you were born, and how you started singing?
Jah Mason / I started singing early, at school parties. I come from the parish of Manchester.
Who was the first producer to discover your talent?
It was Junior Reid, for JR Production, 8 years ago. There was an audition, so I went to Kingston. I was chosen from among the many singers who had come to audition.
How did you make the connection with David House and Capleton?
I live near David House, and one day when I was recording at Junior Reid's, I had my songs on a cassette. I saw the prophet Capleton near Riverview, and I told him I had a few things for him to listen to. The tunes were hot and he loved them. He told me to come by and see him at David House.
Since when have you been Bobo Dread?
Well, it's something that grew in me. Many people have it from birth, they have it within them (it's what we call the inborn concept). In a sense it came at birth, but not really. Someone can be born with talent and waste it over the years.
Can you explain to people who don't know what David House and the David House Crew are?
Well, it's the Prophet Capleton who is behind David House. But when people talk about David House, you have to know that it also means youths like Jah Cure, Jah Mason, Military Man and other youths who are working in the music. There's also Sizzla Kalongi & Judgment Yard, but when you talk about David House it mainly concerns Capleton, though not only him.
And how does David House work?
You don't have to go there every day, even though David House works a bit like a school, where people meet. You learn the words of righteousness there, and you learn music as well.
Did you learn a lot from Capleton when you met him?
It's not really that I learned something from him... But when you're there you take in the energies of Emperor Sellasie the First; you can't get a lesson from someone or teach someone, it's up to you as an individual to learn by yourself and for yourself. Because nobody can stand up and speak for you, you have to express yourself by your own means. We're not really a group, we don't go on stage together. I'm just a member of David House.
Which artists have influenced you?
Well, Tony Rebel, Bob Marley and Capleton of course. I should say that I have family ties with Tony Rebel.
You made a number of hits on Tony Rebel's label (Flames): Natural Vegetable, Money dem a Run Come... Can you tell me about this cooperation with him?
I have to continue my work with him, so that he can release an album. My album's release is under way and it's planned for this summer on the label River Nile Production. (It will be a compilation of 7-inch singles already released.) I'm currently working with Tuff Gong and Marley's sons, and I've also recorded a combination with Spanner Banner and Richie Spice.
|
|
© 1999-2026
RSS
