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Metro And Devonte Interview 10/27/01 2:00 AM House
of blues Hote by emil l Chicago
Reggae: Can you tell the Chicago Reggae audience which of your tunes is your favorite?
Montana from Chicago Reggae loves ‘Gal say Whoyee” and wanted to know which one
is classified as your favorite. Tanto
Metro: We have a lot of favorites songs within our catalog. Devonte:
Everyone falls in love…because that one break us into the mainstream unno…That
song is a very, very powerful song. It’s all about love. Chicago
Reggae: Tell me about the new album. Devonte:
The new album is out entitled , “The beat goes on”. Seventeen bad
tracks…it’s out right now. Distributed by VP, it also features Beenie Man, Mega
Banton and a wide variety of songs; Jazz,
R&B and straight Dancehall. Tanto
Metro: and a little hip-hop to provide some variety, unno. That’s why we call it
“the beat goes on” because it provides a variety of beats. Chicago
Reggae: How did you feel about traveling on this tour following the Sept. 11 terrorist
attack in NY? Did you fear traveling through
the U.S.? Devonte:
No, we really don’t worry about that because music is power. We are trying to bring
back the people dem….together. We really don’t wonder if somethings going to
happen. Everyone on their keys and toes.
America is on their keys and toes right now. If someone was to try to do something now.
They would have to think 3-4-5 times before
they try something again…. to damage anymore where America is concerned. Tanto
Metro: and security is tight, tight right now. We’re trying not to let the people
remember such an event. We try to bring joy to dem ears…. by bringing our music out
to them. We hope the people dem appreciate what we’re doing, unno. Chicago
Reggae: Censorship of artist in Jamaica. Specifically the fines handed out to Bounty
Killer and other artist. What’s your opinion of these new penalties? Tanto
Metro: Well…um. Fines on dancehall music come about when lewd lyrics and all of them
thing eh. Jamaica is trying to eliminate certain things because the situation is really
getting out of hand. We’re trying to eliminate certain things and put them on a
different level. Chicago
Reggae: Would it have been a little better on the artist if warnings were imposed
first…before the fines? Devonte: No…see, it was official a long time
ago…some years back. It wasn’t personally enforced. That law was there before,
but they didn’t step up on that law. Now with the top artist in Jamaica (laughter), it kinda getting out of hand.
You’re supposed to be making a better example. Certain
occasions, where internationally people come from all over the world to come see we as
reggae artist …it sort of leaves a bad stain on the music for Jamaica. We are trying our best to keep up the music and
the level of music going…. internationally and locally. It’s one of those things
(fines) that has to happen in the dancehall now. You see…you have to fall sometime to
really understand the situation that’s going on. Sometimes when you feel a pain in
your side that tells you your not taking care of yourself..understand! Tanto
Metro: You have to step back sometime and think before you do something. Chicago
Reggae: thanks Devonte and Tanto Metro..Any words for the fans in the Chicago area? Devonte:
The album is out, titled ‘The beat goes on”, 17 bad tracks with the first single
“Give it to her” is currently at
no. 6 in Jamaica’s charts., It’s a
big song in Trinidad…it’s no. 4 in NYC. It’s crossed over in Miami and is
currently on the hip hop radio stations. Which is actually where we everything started for
us before. “Everyone Falls In Love” was crossed over in Miami….Go get it . Tanto
Metro: and all the fans, tell dem say we still love dem said we. and for all the new ones,
love dem even more. Chicago
Reggae: Respect! See you when you get back to Chicago…safe journeys |
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