Rassi Hardknocks
Rassi Hardknocks just realeased his first album “Miracle Again”. Living in London for five years now, but originally hailing from Kingston Jamaica. I had the pleasure to have a smooth phone call with Rassi. We spoke about his musical journey, Soundsystem history and his spiritual views on Life. This is a transcription of the Interview. 1loveto1andall.
Greetings Rasta! Can you tell us about your musical journey? How did it all begin?
Pleasant day to you Irie Teajah, pleasant day to the family. It all began officially in the movement of the twelve tribes of Israel. My parents are part of the twelve tribes. My father’s name is Condly Antony Foster of the tribe of Issachar and my mother’s name is Marva Gillespie, of the tribe of Dan. Both of my parents are Rastafarians. My family is 100% die hearted and livicated to Rastafari. I am the fifth child out of thirteen siblings. My dad is a shoemaker, and my mother is a dressmaker. They used to run their own business together in the ghetto. I was not born uptown,you know. The place I was born is called Kingston Jubilee Hospital and I was raised in Dreadites. My mom is also a singer. My father is a music man same way. Therefore, I grew up seeing my mother perform in the musical family of the twelve tribes. It is a big family. Many artists in it, seen. From Robert Nesta to Dennis Emmanuel and more. Therefore, from early age, I was in the dance.
I left Kingston in 1988 and moved to Hanover (Jamaica). In this time, things got really tuff in Kingston. These where the days of eradication, you know. Rastafari got a hard fight back then – and still up to now. However, the fight back then was very severe for us a Rasta. 1995 I went back to Kingston. In these days, the twelve tribes hold the suit ball. Bringing his imperial Majesty grandson. The honourable prophet Gad had every single tribe coming in their suits for this royal occasion. I witnessed all these things. From that time, I started in the Jah Love Muzik Soundsystem. With the man called Earl Belcher (also known as Jah B). His face was right side of the face of the prophet on the suitballposters. Many people would speculate, if he would be a next prophet when they saw the posters.
Can you tell us something more about your time with Jah Love Muzik Soundsystem?
Jah Love Muzik Sound is THE Foundation of Conscious Jamaican Sound systems. There were times, when Jah Love was the only Sound that would be allowed to play in Jamaica. That was around 1987-88. These were the golden years for me. For InI the musical journey started with Jah Love Muzik. My Bredrin Dr. Brains came and introduced me to Earl Beljah (Jah B). Therefore, I would sing some love songs and ting (sings a sweet love song into the telephone). From that time, I never stopped singing and making music. Therefore, you see, it did not happen overnight.
How were you involved in the soundsystem life of Jah Love Muzik?
Yes! In the beginning, I was lifting boxes! My Bredrin Culture Dan (RIP), who has been killed in Sizzlas Judgement Yard two years ago, was the first person who ever put a mic in my hand. I was 17 back then. It was and still is a big family vibe in the Soundsystem. In Jah Love Muzik we all worked together, even the boss would carry boxes same way.
What is the essential inspiration of your music?
When the most high inspires you with something, you have to go for it. Everyone has to find his own calling. Once you really hear youre calling you can’t ignore it. When you ignore your calling, your ignoring you’re existence. I can do many things. I even can do carpentry, welding, mason work, painting, construction, and things, BUT dig this know! I tried to run away from the music. However, everywhere I go, the music hunt me down! The gift of God is inside me. The greatness in you is there to be lived up to. So when you are living up to your inner greatness, you live up to your own divine existence. Therefore, this is actually the greatest power, and it’s LOVE. Love brought us all in existence!
People who can truly speak about their deep inner inspiration, sometimes also went through times of tribulations. Can you tell us something about the “hard knocks” in your live?
I say that was the time in the ghetto. I made my way out of the ghetto, you know. In the ghetto, you go through some hard things sometimes. Experience teaches wisdom. In the ghetto, you have to know how to conduct, how to move and know how to defend yourself and the family around you. That is all inside me still. That is Rassi Hardknocks. However, most importantly for the history of my name is the man called Pumpi Judah. He lives in Tanzania now and works under the name Eli Hekima. He gave me the name Rassi Hardknocks. One day me and him and Culture Dan were talking about what name I should go by, Eliminator or Rassi Hardknocks. Culture Dan said Eliminator and Pumpi Judah say Rassi Hardknocks Cause I am always going hard he said (laughs aloud).
How do you view the European reggae soundsystem culture compared to the Jamaican one? Are there any differences between these two cultures?
I would not say so. Music knows know boundary. The roots of the music in my view lies in the time of David, and so the roots of InI culture is rooted so far back in history that it doesn’t know these boundaries or geographical differences. God said we have to bring the people together. And the music does that everywhere. Music is always a joyful noise onto the lord you know.
What are your thoughts on contemporary dancehall music in relation to modern roots reggae?
Music is music, the difference lies in the message that is delivered with it. You can give me a dancehall beat and still I can put a positive message on it. It is always about the message. There is nothing wrong with dancehall music in my opinion. It is only the message, the lyrical content is important. Jah Love Sound plays dancehall, but we leave out the slackness always. Most people do not know what they articulate in their selection.
Is there a special moment in your career that you are particularly proud of?
The greatest moment of the movement was in 2012. I went to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to perform for His Imperial Majesty Zere Jacob Selassie I 1st of Ethiopia. So I went there for three weeks. We took the flight from Frankfurt, Germany, after having a show with Natty Vibes Sound. It was an 11-hour night flight and when I woke up, I witnessed a golden sky that I have never witnessed before in my live. I had to pinch myself, because I first thought that I am in heaven. When the plane touched down, people greeted me and said “welcome home”. I cried tears of joy brother!
The news you hear about Africa, all the droughts, wars and sufferation is only a fraction of actually many positive things that are going on there right now.
Let’s Talk about your new Album “Miracle Again”.
Yes! You see, the album itself is a miracle! The “Miracle Again” song, produced by Taylor Fitzpatrick, is an ambitious project, because I released it on my own label. We put it out on vinyl as well. The album is the work of quite many people. I really want to mention some people involved. So first there is Inelek Wilmort, he produced the song “Necessity”. UpInZionMuzik is my own label; I produced the song “Country Life”. Rastatothebone produced “Repent”, she is my Empress as well. “Trod Along” produced by ADUBta music, “Music Hit” produced by UpInZionMusic, “Mama Don’t Worry” produced by Sleepy Time Ghost , “Five O” produced by Rastatothebone And DILLON white , “Happiness” produced by UpInZionMusic , “King Inna Di Arena” produced by Rasta to the bone. Furthermore, First Eye Production did the mixing of most of the songs mention.
The tune “Country Life” really sounds like you’re missing Jamaica. Can you tell us something about it?
Yes you see, when I wrote it, I was in London and it was winter, so anytime I saw the niceness of what my people a Yard experience back home, I really started missing Jamaica. So I wrote the song “Country Life”.
Any plans and projects? How do you spend your free time when you are not working on music?
I do have a full album written, so if there is any producer that want to link up I am ready. I play chess! Actually, I am a grandmaster in chess, I can play more than one people at a time! I love to read and started painting as well.
What message would you like to give to your fans around the world?
MORE LOVE TO WHOLE WORLD! More joy, more peace, more happiness eternally! Do not forget to go down on your knees and give GOD thanks. Pray not only for yourself but also for the world and for every being. Be aware. Rastafari Stay strong, pray strong.
Interview: Christian Irie Teajah
