Continuing with our Reggae Month feature, we speak to one of the hottest acts in Reggae right now, Daniel "Chino" McGregor. Son of Freddie McGregor, and brother to Stephen "Di genius" McGregor and Shema McGregor he definitely knows the business. I think he can speak for the new generation of artists that are coming up the ranks. He is his own man, so don't expect his answers to mirror those of his dad ok....Read de ting den!
1. Do you remember your first introduction to Reggae music?
Wow my first introduction to Reggae music. I don’t think there’s a first that I can recall. Reggae for me, was quite different –I literally grew up around the music and around Reggae. Yeah, I was basically born in Reggae. So I can’t really recall a first introduction.
2. When people think of Reggae they generally think Bob Marley, peace, positive vibrations, conscious lyrics. How do YOU define Reggae and what does it mean to you?
Reggae, is…not just Reggae—Jamaican music on a whole, is a narration of what takes place in Jamaica, in our country, in our culture. Reggae music is basically what’s happening at the time. If you listen to Bob Marley’s catalogue, he is basically singing and talking about what is taking place in Jamaica at the time; Dennis Brown—same ting. Fast forward our current state of Reggae, Bounty Killa, for example, is talking about what is taking place in his current time; Mavado, for example; us—so Reggae music is definitely a reflection of what is happening at the moment.
3. I personally think that Reggae is a lot about saying what you mean and meaning what you say. Do you feel any pressure from the commercialization of music to say things just to sell records?
Well me personally, I don’t, because the type of music I make is very melodic, for one—very lyrical, very catchy. Some people classify it as Reggae or Dancehall Pop. BUT, at the same time it’s not watered-down. It touches all the social issues. Everything that’s taking place, but it’s still fun, you dance to it. As I say, its catchy- the little kids can catch it, the corporate world run with it and gravitate to it so I don’t really have a problem as far as that’s concerned.
4. Are there any trends in the industry that you welcome and/or that you would like to see go away?
Any trends??? Umm, I mean I don’t think that is for me to say. Variety is the spice of life, you need everything and everything is there for a reason. You need a little bit of this, a little bit of that. That’s what full up the whole puzzle anyway. I can’t really be the one to bash anything. I mean certain things are on the positive note, certain things are on somewhat of a negative note, but you need variety. That’s why for example when you have a stage show you need a Sizzla, you need an Elephant Man, you need a Mavado, you need a Freddie McGregor, you need a John Holt.
5. What would you say is your greatest contribution to Reggae music thus far?
My greatest contribution so far is just putting out positive music on the basis where everybody can relate and gravitate to it—the streets, the hardcore fan base, the little kids. I find a lot of parents come to me and say “Woaw my little 2-year old or 3-year old son or daughter is singing every line from “From Mawnin” or “Woman Pon Your Head,” “Protected,” for example. So that within itself is something great. I’m doing something good.
6. Reggae has been blended with so many genres from opera to Rock and Roll, to Hip-Hop and even Bhangra. Is this a plus for the industry or a loss of some sort?
It’s definitely a plus. Music has no limits or boundaries and that’s what for myself and us here at Big Ship, has always been our ting. We merge and fuse different genres. So when you hear our music, you’re gonna hear elements of Jazz, elements of Rock, elements of R&B, Hip-Hop, Blues, Country, you name it… You shouldn’t be afraid to experiment and explore with the music.
7. Is Reggae month really necessary? What meaning does it hold for you?
Reggae month-yeah it’s definitely necessary. I’m happy it’s in the month of February—it’s also black history month. When you look at a globe or an atlas and you look at Jamaica, it’s just a little, small dot. BUT, our music, called Reggae coming out of this island is very powerful and it impacts so greatly on and throughout the whole world; so it’s important to have a month where we emphasize that strength and reflect on our cultural music—where it came from, where it currently is and where it should be heading.
Click HERE to find out what he likes do do when he's alone.... did you know he likes Valentino cologne???
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