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Reggae Interview Series: Reggae Music
In Brazil
Interview by Reggaeplus
Radio
Interviewee Marcello Hermont
From Brazil - reggaebrasil.com
ReggaePlus:
Reggae has grown in popularity in your country. What reggae artists
have performed there?
Marcello: International artists like Steel Pulse,
Maxi Priest, Big Mountain, The Wailers, Andrew Tosh, Julian Marley,
Ziggy Marley & MM, Pato Banton, Inner Circle, Nabby Clifford,
Jamaica Steel Band, Junior Marvin and many others.
ReggaePlus: What is the reggae scene like there?
Marcello: We see reggae like a protest and a
festive music that inspires the young to think about the country's
reality (the social and economic contrast) and we have good times
while finding forces to face the reality. Reggae came to show
the people that we have to unite because we're all equal.
ReggaePlus:
What was the first reggae song you ever heard?
Marcello: My first
reggae song was Talkin' Blues when I was 12.
ReggaePlus:
Who is your favorite reggae artist? Who and what are your
influences?
Marcello: Bob Marley,
he is my favorite and my influence.
ReggaePlus:
What style of reggae is played often in your country? What
style do the majority of fans seem to prefer?
Marcello: We like
what we call Reggae Roots. The Bob Marley style.
ReggaePlus:
Was the fact that reggae is English and Patois a barrier?
Marcello: The language
is very important. The majority of our people dont have money
to pay for english courses. If English is not understandable,
Patois is even more so. We love the rhythm and melody and I think
it helps to understand some of the lyrics.
ReggaePlus: Is
reggae main stream and played on the radio there? Any videos on
TV?
Marcello: We have
a lot of reggae sessions on the media.
ReggaePlus: How
is reggae influencing your culture?
Marcello: Like
I said, reggae helps the youth to see the reality. Reggae changes
your life style and your way of thinking. Reggae helps to approximate
the people and show that we're all equal.
ReggaePlus: If
someone travelled to visit your home and wanted to hear reggae
music what would they have to do?
Marcello: Talk
to me and we gonna have good, good times.
ReggaePlus: How
would you describe your countrys' reggae sound and development?
Marcello: Very
good. We're making reggae in the Portuguese language with direct
Jamaican influences. We learned all by just listening to the music.
ReggaePlus: What
are some of the names of the popular local artistes? Who would
be the top 5?
Marcello: Gilberto
Gil, Fauzi Beyound, Tony Garrido, Edson Gomes, Ras Bernardo, Dom
Luiz and many more. In my opinion: 1) Tribo de Jah 2) Edson
Gomes 3) Mystical Roots 4) DJAMBI 5) Bob Marley
covers.
ReggaePlus: How
did you get interested in reggae?
Marcello: A friend,
a surfboarder, showed me the Talkin' Blues album in a k7 tape
when I was 12. I loved the rhythm. Now I'm 24 and my love for
reggae is always growing day by day.
ReggaePlus: Where
do you think reggae will be in 10 years time?
Marcello: Reggae
will be a powerful world music with a message.
ReggaePlus: Do
you think there is anything preventing reggae from flourishing
for you and your fellow artists there? How are you involved in
reggae?
Marcello: Yes but I'm
a Social Communication Professional that works in Advertising
and Web-designing. I'm always trying to make contact with the
Brazilian reggae musicians and also through the reggaebrasil.com
web site.
ReggaePlus:
In some countries you might see people wearing a Jamaican-style
hat with fake dreadlocks attached when they attend reggae concerts
and other events. Do you see anything like that in your country?
Marcello: We see
the hats and t-shirts but the dreadlocks and afro hair are really
respected.
ReggaePlus:
Have you ever been to Jamaica?
Marcello: Only
in my dreams.
ReggaePlus:
Do you have any Jamaican people living there?
Marcello: No.
ReggaePlus:
What is the name of the top 'Sound System' there?
Marcello: We don't
have one.
ReggaePlus:
Do you eat Jamaican food?
Marcello: The Brazilian
food is very rich because of the diferent cultures that make up
the Brazilian culture. We dont have a restaurant for Jamaican
food.
ReggaePlus: Thank
you for this interview and for supplying us with some of your
music.
Marcello:
Thank you for your interest in my country and our way
of doing reggae music. Irie!
Listen
to Reggae From Brazil...
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