CAPLETON releases one drop roots Album
February 1st, 2011 | By
Capleton has for the first time in his carerr released a strictly one- drop roots and culture album. The foundation reggae set is already available in Africa, America and Europe entitled Iternal Fire.
So why did King Shango decide to go straight culture this time around when his dancehall tracks almost always top the charts?
“It is the first time I have ever done a one-drop roots and culture album,” Capleton told the Observer. “Yeah man. Because, y’know, all the other albums dem we always give it a little mixture. A little R&B, a little hip hop, a little dancehall. Well (this time), I chose to go straight roots and culture and it’s working,” explained the fiery deejay.
He then advanced a perspective which suggests a coming to terms with a certain reality. “We know that the roots music is the power music, y’know. People love dancehall, cause they love to jump up, they love to be happy and they love to ‘hol’ a vibes. But at the end of the day, they love that substantial message in terms of its spirituality.”
He added “This is the music that defend the people. When the mercenaries came in, and subdued the spirit of the people, this is the music that helped the people to find their soul and find their spirituality and keep dem focus”.
“We know they try to ridicule it at all times and we know it is because of the message. For our music is protest music because it speak for the less fortunate; the people who are oppressed and surpressed by the system systematically. So wi know dem a goh fight it.
“But as mi a sey, Babylon fighting a losing battle. Jah sey ‘have no fear for dem automic energy. The hotter the battle di sweeter the victory’ and we do have confidence in the victory of good over evil, so we just keep the burning.”
Capleton was one of a number of Jamaican artists appeared in Glamis Arena in Harare, Zimbabwe, on New Year’s Eve.
While watching a video of the event Capleton noted that he was not surprised that his legions of African fans who crammed the venue were singing along to his songs. “I wouldn’t say surprise, because the music is powerful. Because I have been to Europe to the Spanish country, to the French country, to the Italian country, German country and these people sing the songs word for word. So I was never really surprise. The music crossed every boundary and every boader. But it’s a joy to see how the people really gravitate and how they sing the songs. These people know every song even the ones that are not popular in Jamaica. They sing them word for word. Like the newest and oldest. They know all of them.”
As for the months ahead Capleton told the Observer “Right now everywhere in Africa is calling Capleton, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, you name it. Even the Congos. I’m returning quite soon. In March, I’m returning for the Ghanian Independence celebrations. So I’m looking forward to that experience. I’m going to South Africa as well.”
