INTERVIEW
Interview by : Benoit Georges
Pictures by : Karl Joseph & Benoit Collin
on Monday, March 15th 2004 - 9 671 views
Called in as reinforcement on Sugar Minott's tour last month, the Bobo deejay Determine granted us an interview to take stock of his already long career and his projects. The holder of two albums, "Rock the world" released in 1996 and "Freedom chant" in 1999 (thanks to Asher for the clarification), Determine is a very prolific artist who has had his share of hits on single and who remains very productive today, voicing almost every series, whether roots or dancehall.
Known for his musical openness and his wild styles, Determine answered Reggaefrance's questions and also gives us a fine jingle. Buzumai!
Reggaefrance / Can you tell us about your musical beginnings?
Determine / I started in a small town called Annotto Bay, in the parish of St Mary, on the east coast of Jamaica. After leaving school, I decided to go to Kingston to pursue my career: I was 18/19. It was hard but I managed to meet the right people in the business, who at the time were producers like King Jammys, Bobby Digital, Tubby's, Leggo, Arrows. It's by knowing these people and learning from them that I started in music at an international level. I became known around 1995/96 with the tune Kette Drum, featuring Beenie Man. I won a Tamika award, which rewards the most promising artist of the year 95/96. I also won a reggae/socca award. So I've been around for a long time, it must be 17 years that I've been doing reggae.
And how did you choose your name?
The name chose me, actually. I was watching a film one Sunday and an actor appeared on the screen saying "I'm Mr Determine". That's how I got my name.
At the beginning, were there any artists who inspired you or with whom you felt connected?
Above all it's music in general, because I listen to a lot of artists. I've never really had favourite artists, I listen to all artists, all songs, singers, deejays, I even listen to hip-hop sometimes. I listen to ska, rocksteady, I listen to music, music in general. I don't have a favourite style. I simply draw inspiration so as to be a good musician and a good singer.
What was the first tune you recorded?
The first song I recorded was on a label belonging to some brothers of mine. It was just a try-out, it happened in my corner of the world, that is to say Annoto Bay, St Mary. Their names are Videl, Earbie and Steeve, three brothers. They came to fetch me in my countryside and took me to a studio they had booked. And I sang this song "Girl me a come here fi defend". But it didn't really take off. When I settled in town, I recorded a song on the Kingston 11 label, a King Jammy's label. It was called Zion. (He sings) "Determine want to be like lion in Zion". It's on the Far East riddim.
You said you liked all kinds of music. And it's true that you deejay just as well on classic roots as on hardcore digital or even hip-hop...
It's because I have a free mind. I'm open to people. So the music comes to me freely and I can't stop talking. But I don't think I'm the best. I won't try to be the best. The things I do, I just want to do them well. I know the mission isn't the competition. I talk and I give people a great variety of music and rhythm, so they can all understand the message, because not everybody listens to reggae. I open my mind, I open my heart and here I am, free with the music. That's where all my energy comes from, from musical freedom.
And do you have a preference for a style of riddim?
All riddims touch me! And I manage, I have no special feelings towards any one style. I just need to hear a rhythm. I simply love rhythms. I will always put reggae first because it's a fundamental, but I always stay open to other rhythms. That's how I am.
Do you get involved with the sound systems in Jamaica?
I'll tell you how the music works. The sounds work for the deejays and the producers. Without the producers and the deejays, there would be no sounds, because they would have nothing to play. So I collaborate with sounds all over the world, because as soon as we record a song, it gives the sounds more energy to play. That's why you must always keep close relations with the sounds, everywhere, not only in Jamaica. I'm always close to the sounds.
What are your projects?
I've already started setting up a company; in fact it's two companies that will become one: one in France and mine in Jamaica. We've built a studio, I've brought together all the equipment, I've done all the paperwork. Now we're going to make albums because I'd like to release a double album. We plan to release videos and we have special projects for children. It will be a show, you'll hear about it when the time comes. Very simply, we plan to put young people at the front of the stage, to introduce young artists, to make albums. I hope to work with rappers and singers from Africa and the United States, with whom we have ties. We'd like to try to get reggae to collaborate with other music, not only with hip-hop or R&B.
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