Bamm Holt Carrying On The Legacy Of John Holt With ‘Volts Of Holt’ Album
Inspired by the impact of his grandfather’s music, Bamm Holt has teamed up with his father in an effort to keep the lovers rock pioneer John Holt’s legacy alive.
The father-son pair of Junior and Bamm Holt are expected to release their debut 10 track album Volts of Holt on July 11 — John Holt‘s birthday.
According to Bamm, he still marvels at the impact his grandfather’s soothing reggae sound has on audiences. It is this essence that he is hoping to capture as he expands upon Holt’s sound, bringing his musical style to a newer generation of music lovers. Playing on Holt’s extensive catalogue, Bamm and Junior have remixed classics such as Police in Helicopter and Wildfire (the massive hit collaboration with Dennis Brown) taking on a more eclectic approach to the craft.
In this World Music Views interview, Bamm Holt shares how walking in his grandfather’s footsteps is helping him to stay grounded as he pushes the music forward.
Bamm I got a chance to check out your music which is quite different from your father’s music. How you got into music?
Yes, basically John Holt is my grandfather and Junior Holt is my father so coming up being backstage and seeing the magic as it happens it draw me into it. It wasn’t something naturally gravitated to. I was playing American Football until I was 18 or 19 years old. When he passed I saw the reaction from the world and realize somebody has to keep this thing going.
By keeping it going you don’t mean singing slow lovers rock?
Yeah man, I am doing it my style. Third generation, the singing I leave to my father.
What’s that style?
I label it reggae fusion. I try to mix reggae with the Hip Hop because as soon as I came to America at 7 years old I heard 50 cent and Dr Dre, Jay Z so that kind of influenced me fresh from Jamaica right into Hip Hop. Both Hip Hop and reggae got drilled innah me head.
I listened to your style and found it very hardcore?
Yes, and I try to keep the respect of my grandfather. He was a lovers rock star. He was never about violence. Couple tunes to uplift the people but no violence so I try to keep that standard to not overstep on guns and vulgar language. I want to make him proud.
Who owns the music for John Holt?
His estate, a lot of people because he recorded for a lot fi people, VP, Trojan Records but all in all it goes to the estate.
How aware are you of the music business?
Yes, I want to be involved in everything.
Do you worry about the feedback of making his tender songs hardcore?
Sometimes in the studio, it lick me the same way, so I try not to overstep and take the classical feeling of the song. Try to do my little part but try not to upset any John Holt fans.
Who are you listening to now?
I listen to Future in terms of America and I turn on Alkaline, full a lyrics. Cyah run outa lyrics.
Who inspires you?
My father. I see the steps growing him to see him trying to hold up a legacy.
How do you think Dancehall artists can sell more?
I see a lotta Dancehall artists crossing over and doing collars with Hip Hop artists. The whole world loves dancehall so colliding the cultures and letting the world know dancehall artists are multivalent will bring more money to the craft and more love. Connecting with other cultures will bring dancehall to not the level.
Tell me about your new project tribute to John Holt?
We are releasing it on July 11, his birthday. It’s my father and myself doing a couple do overs. We also have new material from Junior Holt and Bam Holt. We have Flabba Holt playing bass on some riddim, Derick Barnet and the Boom Squad band, We have Toots grandson Blizzy, shout out to Blizzy.
I counted 50 plus albums by John Holt, that’s a huge legacy.
(Laughs) Yes and on this album at least 5 of the songs are new and the others are sing-overs.
What’s next for you?
After we finish this, we finishing a documentary on his work. My goal is to keep the legacy going and keep the thousand volts of holt going.
What has been your greatest lesson so far in the industry?
My greatest lesson is that music lives forever. If you pass the right message through your music they will never forget you. People come up to me with tears in their eyes that songs were played at their wedding when they meet the love of their life.
Big up Yourself Bamm Holt.
Big Up Yuhself JR Up to the top.