talk the things

Part 1 - dubbed Uptown Top Rasta - was about experiences that lead to Kabaka Pyramid's lifestyle, which in turn informs his lyrics.  

This part (2) is an insight into the self-proclaimed artist's artist. This is music life, experiences since making music.

We speak about his transition from making hip hop to reggae, how friend's death inspired him, current wave reggae movement capitalising off dancehall's "lowest point", meeting Chronixx and Protoje, the "uptown" label hindering the movement's impact in Jamaica, his relationship with dancehall artist's, importance of making money and whether Rasta label holds him back.

Had to touch on social side, so there's a conversation about the uptown/downtown divide in Jamaica, uptown youths making downtown music and "getting a fight" because he's uptown.

Two, two quotes I found interesting: 
"I think dancehall is at it's lowest point right now."
"I don't want this [reggae movement] to be this posh ting."
"I feel like I love music the least out of the man dem"
"Our music doesn't penetrate like dancehall."
"A lot of reggae and dancehall artist's say I'm their favourite."
"Money has never been priority for me. I've never been poor in the conventional sense."

Play on iTunes

Kabaka Pyramid | The Artist's Artist [Part 2] | #nolongtalk. chapter 002

It is black history month in the UK, so it was like a blessing when I bumped into Tippa Irie from London's world-famous Saxon Sound posse on a plane back from Outlook Festival in Croatia. As someone who wasn't around at the time, I've always wanted to know about Tippa's journey from Brixton beginnings to world-famous, Grammy-nominated microphone controller. 

Saxon Sound toured the globe; from Lewisham to Japan and USA, including the home of it all, Jamaica. Together they pioneered the fast chat style frequently used by jungle MCs (Stephen Marley used it on Rock Stone last year), plus the first British MC's to use London accents and score national chart hits. But their impact and influence still goes largely uncredited by mainstream press. 

Tippa shares experiences growing up in Brixton, racism, leaving a Brixton sound for Lewisham-based Saxon, rival sounds, making official Arsenal FA cup 1993 song, fellow members laughing at national top 40 hit "Hello Darling" and lessons learnt after failing to match its success. We end on why he feels Saxon aren't giving their dues and who's to blame for Saxon's slump. Stay locked.

Tippa Irie | Black British History Month Special | #nolongtalk. chapter 004

Something a little different. Serocee and Marvin Sparks are two dancehall and reggae enthusiasts who care about the music and culture. Don't expect to hear the latest suss or silly passa - there are more than enough places for that. We talk about what's really going on. Remember; it is still no long talk.

Episode one is about what "One Dance" can do. We speak about how Drake's 'One Dance' and discuss whether controversial dancing (daggering/sky daggering/setting parts on fire etc.) in Jamaica affects the image of the music..

Stay locked. Due to be a monthly one.

Talk The Things w/ Serocee - What One Dance Can Do / ep. 1

talk the things with Serocee | ep. 2

So, if you aren't aware, Mixpak won the Red Bull Culture Clash on 17/June/2016. The wide outsiders beat Wiz Khalifa & Tayler Gang (hip hop), UKG All Stars (UK Garage) and favourites Eskimo Dance (grime) to take home the coveted trophy in front of a packed out o2 Arena crowd (possibly 20,000 people). 

In this, I share my views on the competition in round-by-round analysis format plus gain insight into the winning team from talk the things co-reasonee Serocee - a man who helped mastermind Mixpak's victory. 

We talk about everything from strategies, real round winners, guests, (fake) dubs and that One Dance dub! So we're calling this one the Culture Clash intereview.

Big up Dre Skull, Suze/ItsTheLarge, Popcaan, Spice, Tony Matterhorn, Kranium and obviously the g, Serocee.

Winning moment - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsaWTL4tVjU

Can find the rest on YouTube and that.

soundcloud.com/nolongtalk / search 'no long talk' on iTunes

twitter.com/itsnolongtalk
twitter.com/serocee
twitter.com/marvinsparks

talk the things w/ Serocee (team Mixpak) - Red Bull Culture Clash intereview / ep. 2

Christopher Martin | chapter 12

Usain Bolt's favourite Jamaican singer, Christopher Martin, talks about his humble upbringing in the countryside, entering Rising Stars to help better his schooling, his journey and shares opinions on the current Jamaican music industry and pop's use of Jamaican music..

Marvin Sp's Album

Christopher Martin | Risen Star| nolongtalk Chapter 012

In this episode, Serocee and Marvin talk Mavado vs Popcaan. Was it the war nobody asked for? Who really benefits - fans, dancehall, Mavado, Popcaan?

Also, based on Foota Hype saying this made dancehall entertaining again we ask/answer the following:
Is dancehall only entertaining when there's a clash?
Is that why dancehall's stagnant?
What did Popcaan have to gain?
Would you prefer Popcaan & Mavado to collab or war?

Final part up soon

Twitter: @Serocee + @ItsNoLongTalk

talk the things 4.2: Mavado vs Popcaan: did anyone care? [part 2/3]

So basically, we spoke about Alkaline show. I was outside with my ticket, Serocee saw the action unfold via social media. We basically cover what happened, misconceptions, who was at fault and what this could mean for dancehall concerts in London in the future.

This still ain't even what was meant to be the ting. That will be uploaded soonish but this was more urgent.

Bless

@itsNoLongTalk
@Serocee

talk the things 7.alka | I Was Stuck Outside Alkaline Show

For those unfamiliar with the name, Keznamdi is a member of the neo-roots generation with Protoje, Chronixx, Kabaka Pyramid and them. His sister Kelissa is too. Sister Kamilla McDonald is a fitness guru, many will know for her marriage to Jah Cure. 

He's a bit different to the others; he puts out more songs about the ladies and relationships than bun babylon. But as I found out in our convo, he has a lot of fire burning.

He has a different backstory too. Unlike the others, he grew up between Jamaica, Tanzania and USA, and was born a Rasta. He tells me he doesn't identify as a Rastafarian though.

Our in-depth convo covers:

Learning charity from his UN worker mother, loving women from musician father, feminism from sister Kelissa, books from Kabaka Pyramid and meeting Chronixx
Jamaica's fight against reggae, ganja and Rasta
Being overlooked
Overcoming struggles with confidence and being a conscious roots artist
School not allowing him to go with locks, friends not allowed to stay over cos he's Rasta
Ladies man of reggae
And Jamaica's recent treatment of soca over reggae

"worst karma is when you oppress a woman."

Twitter : @ itsnolongtalk
@ Keznamdi

Keznamdi | Ladies Love Rasta, Jamaica Doesn't | chapter 014

We linked in London's Tinsel Town after a late night radio interview with BBC Radio 1Xtra's Seani B to talk about his surprise at near-decade long career. From controversial breakthrough Winner to Bruk Off and beyond. 

This one is a lost chapter. I caught up with Konshens when he came to the UK in February of this year (2017). Due to a couple reasons, it wasn't released at the time. That's why you'll hear the surprise at the now common info about him signing to a label, Empire. So this is obviously before the Chris Brown remix too. It isn't a time-specific reasoning though. 

He talks to no long talk about hating the spotlight, switching to gal tunes, preferring conscious tunes and why he's against making clash tunes. We also spoke about Japan and Africa success, why he hasn't crossed over yet and hopes for the future.

Konshens | Shy, Girls Dem, Winner| chapter 15 nlt

In part 2, Serocee relives Trinidad Carnival and  we spoke about the soca vs dancehall clash that was bound to happen after Jamaican carnival. Recorded in like March so some things like Reggae Sumfest line up have been revealed.

Talk The Things / Annual Soca vs Dancehall convo

Alborosie sits with no long talk to talk his new album Unbreakable Meets  Wailers United.

He explains how he got them all to link up, moving from Italy to Jamaica shaped him, reggae's voice in Brexit, plus Beres Hammond, Chronixx and Buju Banton

Alborosie | Unbreakable, Chronixx, Marley, Buju, Brexit, Italy to Jamaica | Chapter 17

So we had a hiatus. But apologies, we're back for this month.

- Marvin went to Buju in Jamaica
- Koffee "Toast" big cos of major label money?
- women running Jamaican music?
- who from this generation will be touring in 20 years?

Might change the name. Dont Say Nothing?

ttt back to bbc (and Koffe)

FYI: Gets updated when it gets updated cos I don't talk for the sake of talking. And I only talk to people I wanna talk to and/or when I wanna talk. Best to follow so you can be updated or it might be a bit long for man.

Inspired by all the mainstream sites that don't cover Jamaican music properly and didn't want to post my long interviews or long reads about Jamaican music. I think Jamaican music has the most interesting stories that aren't told because it can't be sold.

Sharing stories that matter over stories that sell and the stories sell themselves. Stay locked. 

any questions: itsnolongtalk@gmail.com

no long talk.

Pinned to spotlight

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