PROBE
Burning Spear
Interview by Rada Djurica
A certifiable musical legend, Spear’s career has already spanned over three decades and shows no sign of slowing down. His concerts regularly last over two hours, a live show that delivers more energy and vibrancy than many rock and roll bands that are half his age. But it is not just the music that generates the excitement, it is also the message. Carrying the torch for the gospel of Marcus Garvey, Burning Spear is one of the single greatest proponents of self-determination and self-reliance for all African descendants; but his message is not exclusively based on the teachings of Garvey. Through his music, Burning Spear has consistently been able to educate, inform, and uplift people the world over with his positive message based on honesty, peace, and love.
- bio from the official Burning Spear site
What's your role in music today?
My role in music today is to do what I do best, which is presenting my music. I am trying to present music with quality and understanding, and I am trying to provide a role for the people. I started with music in 1963, and when I heard the early work of Bob Marley, I started with Studio One. But before I met Bob, I was musically active, with singing. I started to work with Burning Spear, and since then, I am active in music.
Since the first time I played reggae music, bringing reggae music up to a certain level, to get it recognized as reggae. And then again, I’ve gotten involved with other world music, too.
I don’t think that I will keep on with this music forever, and I am thinking of retiring. I have some young people who have that kind of vision, to keep on with the work, to play this music the right way. Music is not about money; music is about heart.
What was your first experience with music?
My first experience with music was in college. At that time I was a young person, a young man. At that time, music was produced by the artists themselves.
Do you sing about Jamaica?
I don’t sing about problems in Jamaica. I sing about the world, not only about Jamaica. Every nationality and color has got religion. When I sing, I sing for the world, about people's agendas. Every country has a problem, and it's all right. Having no problems is good, but today, everything gets so big, and more of the world is singing about being free. And to be free is to have free access, a free mind, free time… and it's more about talking about being free; it's not about politicians in Jamaica. It's much bigger than that.
You did two albums for Studio One?
Yes, I did two albums for Studio One. I did Burning Spear, and I did Rocket Time, and about four singles. And then after that, I’ve moved on to get proper money to do some more music.
Do you think that your music has changed?
To be honest, I think that music can’t be the same all the time. It changes. It’s a part of everything around us. It’s a part of life, women and… about everything. And it always has to change, the next time and the next time and the time after next time. The music is constant: play and play and play.
Are you free from music industry rules?
I’m free from lots of things today. I’m free from signing contracts, and I need to be a free man on many levels.
You've been in the music industry long enough to see some major changes.
With global marketing and the blurring of borders due to instant global
communication, have these things enhanced or diminished the diversity
of music between the major continents?
Sometimes they are trying to tell you what to say and when to say it. I don’t believe in that. I believe that we should have free speech, and think freely, to do things that we think are right.
What kinds of music do you like, other than yours?
To be honest, I like everything. Artistically, I listen to everything. And you might not like everything, but you listen and learn about the things that music brings. I listen to everything: African music, jazz, blues, pop, R&B. I listen to white music, not just black, which is very good.
Who do you like, Madonna or Kylie Minogue?
I like Madonna. That’s what I’m saying. Maybe people like just something from Burning Spear, but not all of Burning Spear, and I do something that they might like. It’s cool, all right.
What are you playing tonight?
I think that I’m going to sing a little bit of this and little bit of that. I’m going to sing everything: lots of good songs, so everybody can relax and listen, so that everyone can feel happy.
I know that I’m going to retire. This is not the last thing, even if I am going to retire. Therefore, I can’t make too official a statement.
A Canadian asked me to ask you, how aware are musicians and fans of the
differences between the Canadian and U.S. music industry? And what's your
take on the Canadian music industry?
Of course, lots of people involved with music go by personal taste, but many have to generate the certain kind of music that can bring money. So they do marketing; they promote it; and they sell it. If people are satisfied with what they see every day, they will buy it. It’s like when you buy an almond, and you realize that the almond is not what they promoted.
Where does your music belong more, to the U.S. music industry or to the
Canadian music industry?
My business is in New York, and New York is the place where I’m bringing my music business. I don’t think I have problem doing what I do in New York.
What do you first hear when you make music?
Melody.