Jesse Royal Talks New Album ‘Royal’, Upcoming Vybz Kartel Collab ‘Rich Forever’
Reggae artist Jesse Royal is in the studio working on his upcoming sophomore album which he revealed in this interview will be titled Royal. Jesse is also about to drop a collaboration with incarcerated Dancehall star Vybz Kartel titled Rich Forever.
The St James native, 31, who also recently collaborated with another titan, Sean Paul, is looking to spread his wings with even more new partnerships. His 2017 album Lily Of Da Valley topped the Billboard Reggae Chart and spawned tracks like Modern Day Judas, Finally, and Always Be Around.
Jesse: Wah gwan bro?
Jesse where Natty Pablo the song came from?
Well, a rasta man has always been a trusted individual, and there was an elder named Pablo and his idea of life is what I brought up in the song. He sent a lot of youths to school and helped a lot of people. He was a good person but to some he was even as bad but he was a “Robin Good”.
How and why did you decide to enter the music industry?
That’s a hard question because I feel like I was just led into the things I love and along the way the universe sent signs and messengers. I give thanks for the individuals along the way like Stephen Marley and Fattis Burrell who were integral in me knowing myself more. I see music as an expression. My grandmother was also instrumental, I used to go choir practice with her every Sunday.
Tell me how you got in the studio, what was it like recording your first song?
That was with some rehearsal mics. Daniel Bambaata, who is Ziggy Marley’s son, we used to create together with Kurt. We created together when we were fourteen years old. Most of it was living room music. Kurt was really the man in that world. Me and Daniel were the artists. I was in Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers rehearsal and lotta songs people love today.
So you started with a band or turntables and a mic?
Our first relationship was with live music, living in churches or rehearsals. As I grew to love Dancehall. I appreciate the vibes and the mood but live music is at the forefront of my music.
What was your first hit song?
Modern Day Judas or This Morning.
How did you make that song?
I always knew Winta [James] (the producer). He was the one who played keyboards for me and he reached out and said he has some beats and he wanted me to do something on it. I made around seven verses and Winta picked the verse that he wanted. It was fresh and exciting because at the time there was nothing like it.
You formed part of the reggae revival new artist that started with the NoMaddz, how would you define your music among the other stars?
My music is just my perspective of the world, groove and rhythm. I am in such a bountiful world and I definitely make reggae but I listen to all other genres and I listen to other conversations and what them saying. I tour and see the world and create music that everyone can digest. I allow people to put their own label on that. Reggae is my backbone.
Who are you listening to now?
I am listening to everyone chanting in the name of Reggae. Reggae is good but we need more stars, more people who understand the power of unity and the importance of displaying that unity. Give thanks to the elders before we but we understand the importance of the world we have to do now. Me confident innah the future of reggae, in the caliber of artists and so many dope producers. We will always continue to grow. We respect King David and King Solomon but God still talks to us right now.
What do you think about the Grammys and the charts?
All dem entities deh i want them to continue to highlight and respect the genre. Reggae is big in the people’s heart but whole heap a work left to be done. We are making top tier music that can stand up against anything in the world. We have to respect our space so once we have that it will go where it need fi go. We give thanks when them a highlight our genre.
You have a song on Sean Paul’s album?
Ye, Sean album wicked. Me glad him do a dancehall album because sometimes the tiing get tricky. A dancehall dat.
Tell me about it?
It was an honor when Sean reached out and you definitely gonna see more collaborations from me. They made me go harder on the track because after listening to the bigger picture I realize he’s a genius. It’s just a conversation and that’s easy for me. Sean dem create on such a high level.
Tell me about Rich Forever?
It’s a collaboration, something totally different. Production with my bredda Iotosh with Vybz Kartel who I was a fan of from I was a youth.
How did you get to collaborate with Vybz Kartel?
The Universe. Jah is mighty and worthy to be praised.
What’s next for Jesse Royal?
The album coming out. You are the first person I am telling the name, it’s called “Royal”. The reason it’s called Royal is because it’s the most vulnerable I ever been on a body of work. There is a song about my daughter, songs against corruption done in a different way. I have a song like Lion Order with Protoje, there’s a song with Runkus. We just will continue to give the people us in every way, shape and form. I am embracing the idea of rich forever which is doing what needs to be done while we can and what we can’t do single handedly, we partner with others and deal with that.
Jah is the source and all else is resource.
(laughs) I love that. It is evident in how you step, how you walk and how you talk.
Spotify just entered the market in the Caribbean, do you think that’s good for the music?
Yes, the more avenues for revenue and things to help to develop the industry is a welcome thing.
You are now a family man with a newborn, how does it feel to be a father?
Before I had children I looked at children as my children. Now that I have children my daughter is the joy of my life. They help to keep me grounded and insured and up and striving and remembering who I am. Those things are helpful and necessary to remind me who I am. Lotta love out there is a facade so I need to make sure I have rooted love. They are the joy of my life. My daughter only calms down if I play Bill Withers (laughs).
How do you suggest Reggae artists sell or stream more records?
Just have to communicate with the word more clearly. Not only with the song but with distribution and business. We have to relate in a professional manner. We can’t treat out diamond like a pebble. We have to look what’s going on out in the world and apply some of those techniques to our genre.
Jesse Royal Blessings and Riches Forever
Bless up Mi Brother, Blessings and Riches Forever!!
To hear the full interview listen to the World Music Views Podcast. Email: worldmusicviews@gmail.com