What is your name and role within Raggo Zulu Rebel?
I am the Raggo Zulu Rebel, raggo is wild, zulu is a warrior and a rebel doesn’t conform. initally it was thrown at me in a derogative way – as if to say you rag zulu, you black monkey but i liked it and it stuck with me, i embraced it.
How did you start?
I started 21 years ago, it all began by me writing lyrics in my bedroom then youth theatre. I then began to work with another artist called Ratio aka Stallion Solo working as a duo. Then the collective came and it was called “exodus first movement”, we used to organise under 18s events, parties, raves, local summer festivas, following the success of these events, we recorded our first mixtape called “hello”. The collective was about sharing talent and getting people together and doing things as a community which is a consistent theme throughout my career.
Where are you based?
I currently live in the UK, London, but my message is universal.
Please give an example of your music writing process?
I’m a very opinionated person, so if I listen to the right beat the lyrics follow soon after if it inspires me.
What are you working on right now?
I just did a documentary called “Dancehall party” which is also the name of my latest single – which had been released on my youtube channel.
What is your gear setup?
I have a band I play with, guitars, bass, drums and vocals.
What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?
I’m a dad, i like to spend time with my family and my children. It has an affect as i do write music I would want them to appreciate and with them in mind.
How would you describe your music genre?
Hip hop- roots – reggae
Do you know any music theory?
No, I’m a very practical person, very much “action over mouth” orientated.
What are your plans for the future?
Live Long and be Prosper.
How did you get into music?
Music got into me, I was contaminated by it at a very young age and i guess it stayed with me. My whole family loves music and i grew up around it, so I guess that’s how it started.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Rick Ross feat Raphael Saadiq “apple of my eyes” although I’m not the greatest Rick Ross fan, this song caught me and I appreciate it.
And i loved Raphael Saadiq since ” Toni, Tone, Tony” and you can’t go wrong with that!
Who are your top 5 influences and icons?
in no particular order, Bounty Killer for what he has done for the jamaican music scene, being the musical father to artists like Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Busy Signal and also representing the Alpha Male energy.
Fela Kuti, for the consistent stance he took in his music and his life against the corrupt Nigerian government.
Peter Tosh for his militant stance on his pro cannabis activism. His dream of legalising is now after, 30 years, coming true.
Bernie Mac for the raw way he continuosly tells his own blunt truth regardless of who is listening.
Empress Menen, wife to His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, because there is no great man without the support of a great woman.
When are you playing next?
The 9th of July at a festival in Notting Hill, London.
Please feel free to include any extra info.
All my music and my projects are on my web site www.raggozulurebel.com
https://www.facebook.com/RAGGOZULUREBEL/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6mtiBKYh8Pu7qnslM3Xkog
https://soundcloud.com/raggo-zulu-rebel
