Interview with Samory I @ Festiville 2018

A FAMILY UNIT

BY ANGUS TAYLOR PHOTOS BY FERNANDO F. HEVIA

“Can I curse?” asks Samory I during his interview. He’s trying to express that an event in his journey affected him deeply - but he’s conscious that a conversation with foreign media might require more caution. Much of Samory I’s life has been at the crossroads - between music and a difficult past, right and wrong, industry politics and his mission to spread the message of Rastafari. These conflicts are contained within 2017 single Rasta Nuh Gangster, produced by Rory Stonelove, in whose home studio we are conducting the interview. At the time of writing, his and Rory’s album Black Gold is about to be released. Based on what we’ve heard in Rory’s car, it is going to be big. Samory has wide eyes, scars on his arms and chest, and a high, soft voice with the power to startle whether speaking or singing. He paints a picture of a personality that, like his voice, contains multiple possibilities - for happiness or sadness. He has a team of industry heavy-hitters around him – Rory, his manager Bridgett Anderson and others - who believe in his talent and want him to succeed. By the end of the discussion we are rooting for him to succeed as well.

You are from Kencot, Central Kingston.

I was born November 21st. In a place named Kencot. Close to the central area of Kingston. I went to school at Norman Manley High School.

Is the music on either side of your parentage?

No. But my mother can sing though. Like Negro spirituals. She can sing but not to sing professionally.

What was the place where you started singing? Was it in church or school?

I started singing in church. Because my mother, as I told you, was into Negro spirituals. She is a Seventh-Day Adventist. I even had a group called JDT when we were about 12-13- 14. We won a few competitions including the JCDC Gospel competition.

How did Rasta come to you?

I didn’t take well to the teachings of the