Conversation with Warrior King October 26th, 2005

conducted by Larry Leiber for the ReggaeMovement

Hold the Faith Released 10/26/05 Review  -  Artist Page - VP Records

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ReggaeMovement : Who would you consider to be your main musical influence to have helped you to become what you are today, and in particular “Hold the Faith”.

Warrior King : First of all, I’d like to say blessing and love and peace in the name of The Most High.

Well the main influence, spiritually, his imperial majesty Haile Selasie I has molded me to what I am today…musically….Garnett Silk, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Luciano Beres Hammond, Admiral Tibet, Alton Ellis, Nat King Cole,  Fats Dominos, just to name a few ya know, there are many out there that I haven’t named.  But all the music gives inspiration.

ReggaeMovement :Was there a specific instant, or moment, when you knew you were going to be successful as a musician and would make an impact in the music industry?

Warrior King : There was always this idea inside of me, that even when it was rough trying to get a break, there was something inside of me that always tell me that, I have a hard thing in front of me, and it’s a hard thing for you, but don’t give up. It was the one with the Most High is always the one that was always the one telling me that I had a special hard work to do.  So from ever since, I just had that feeling and I not give up at all.

ReggaeMovement :  The fact that your breakout hit was titled “Virtuous” woman is telling in itself, and in fact, you have followed it with a fabulous conscious album in Hold the Faith.   From “Virtuous Woman” to “Hold the Faith”, how would you say your music, as well as your approach to your music, has changed and evolved?

Warrior King : I have grown spiritually and musically, vocally, and more professional in my approach.  The Experience I had in my first album made me more aware on how to approach the business, and ya know, a performance and music in general, it’s just made me more aware and know how to deal with things.   There’s place for improvement and more things to learn too.

ReggaeMovement :  And from Virtuous Woman to “Hold the Faith” how have you grown personally? 

Warrior King :   A lot of growth spiritually, a lot of growth I tell ya.  And vocally, my voice is getting stronger, and the melody’s there, definitely.

ReggaeMovement :  In  2001, the Jamaica Observer placed you on this list of artists that ‘made a difference’.  What kind of impact do those types of comments carry forward, and do you take a certain amout of responsibility with those comments, when you’re planning your next album, such as “Hold the Faith?”

Warrior King :  Definitely, cause ya know that means the people hear Warrior King, they are looking for a certain standard of quality and music, so I try to maintain that standard.   Not because of what THEY say in the paper and such.  That encourages me and such, but knowing that I’m a Rastafarian, I have to be an example and try to do good works to the best of my ability.

ReggaeMovement :  How long did it take you to create “Hold the Faith?”

Warrior King :  Well it took time, ya know.  Because when we did Virtuous, we were touring Europe, japan, America, Caribbean, Canada and so forth, but it took time.  I can’t tell you how long, but it took time, ya know.  And personally, I don’t believe in rushing music.  I like to take my time and do it properly. 

As Beres Hammond always tell me, Music is like old people.  When you rush old people, they get miserable.  When you take your time with them, they will cooperate with you.  So music is like that.  Music was here before I was born in this flesh, as it will be here after I am not here in this flesh, so I take my time and make sure I do it properly, and positive.

ReggaeMovement :  That’s so true about old people, I never thought of it that way.

Warrior King :  Yeah, mon, like when I used to tell grandma, ‘c’mon now’ she would get all excited and yell at me [emulates her impatient yells], ya know.  So then I’d say “c’mon mama, ya ready?”  and she’d say “calm down and take your time.”   Such is music.

ReggaeMovement :  They’ve been around long enough to know what they want.

Warrior King :  Definitiely

ReggaeMovement :  Now going into Hold the Faith, it’s very refreshing the positive vibes that emanate from within.  There are many things within your message that you have equated to have more value than “silver and gold” so to speak.  Such as My Life, Education and so forth.  In this world that revolves around the dollar, could you elaborate a bit on how you came to push materialism down the ladder of importance so strongly?

Warrior King :  Yeah, because you see, alright.    Where I live in the Jamaica, you see the TV news internationally.  You see many people complaining…complaining, complain every day that they don’t have this.  Complaining that they don’t have that.  Materially.  And at the same time I see the way that they have life, they have perfect health.  Ya know what I mean?  They have all they limbs, they don’t lose a hand or a foot, no diseases, yet they still complaining.   So why complain about material things when there are so many things to give thanks for?  There are always reasons why we say the things we say, ya know?  Because people sometimes forget to realized how blessed they are.    Material things alone does not give you happiness.   True happiness comes within the spirit and within the self, not from material things.  Knowing that the conscious is clear and free;  those things give true happiness. Life is the greatest thing, so if you don’t have a car today or you can not buy that thing today, that is not a big issue.  For ya know, if you have life, you can achieve whatever you want with hard work.

ReggaeMovement :  Yes, and it shows clearly in “Hold the Faith” and it’s very refreshing indeed

Warrior King :  Give thanks

ReggaeMovement :  The other message that is very clear in the album is that of Love, many love songs, and references to love.  Is there an inspiring force behind that?

Warrior King :  Yeah, I was going by my mother.  My love of woman is, I have a lot of respect, not just love, for woman.  And because I have a Queen in my life, and she is to me I see a virtuous woman, and she treats me so good.  So I have to give her homage and holler to all the good woman out there, ya know what I mean?

ReggaeMovement :  Yeah

So I like to try to help them feel good about themselves, and to teach them how to love themselves, ya know?  A woman is a blessing from the creator, so we have to glorify them and let them know they’re important and value them, and appreicalove them.

ReggaeMovement :  Yes, and once again, that manifests itself very clearly throughout the album.  As far as your message, If I knew nothing about reggae, and nothing about Rastafari, how would you explain your message?

Warrior King :  [Directly and emphatically]  My message is Love.    Love and positiveness.  Clear and simple:  People that don’t know about Rastafaria, they hear the message and them know what they’re all about.  So when I sing, they know I sing about what I’m all about. So if you hear a song, like um ‘my life is my life’  yeah Rastafari, for life is nothing is more precious than life, for without life, we can’t do nothing at all.  And when I say “hold the faith”  you know we are just natural people, dealing with truth and rights, and love.  My music is just love, and love for everyone regardless of your color.  Regardless of your age.  Regardless of your size, regardless of anything at all, my music is for all people.  I know that the animals would even receive my message, for its all about love.

ReggaeMovement :  Also in “Hold the Faith” a cornerstone is your preachings on Jah and Rastafari,  it is clear, and as we’ve discussed earlier, you feel that life is the most precious gift from the Most High.  What are some of the practices and rituals you use to heighten your relationship with Jah?

Warrior King :  We keep the Sabbath on the 7^th day, which is Saturday.  A lot of prayers, and sometimes the use of herb.  But see, herb isn’t that necessary, but it gives a calmness.  Like if your reading a bible and scriptures, and try to be natural and true to oneself.  Show love to everyone we meet, and try to be positive.  Accept correction where we are wrong.  Those basic things are the things that we do to keep the close connection with the Most High.  And to really look outside of myself.  As I told you before, the temple of the Most High begins with the body, so I always try to get comfort within oneself to be grounded and rooted.

ReggaeMovement :  What is your goal with your music?

Warrior King :  My ultimate goal is to spread goodness and to help people.  We all need money to help support and feed our family, but really, my main goal is to spread the message of love and positivity and to help everyone.

ReggaeMovement :  What in your career, to date, would you say you’re most proud of?

Warrior King :  What I’m most proud of?  That Jah is using me as a instrument to spread his holy works.  That is what I’m most proud of.  That I know that I’m doing good works and that there are people out there who are loving it.  Because I could be doing good works and people don’t even acknowledge the works.  Yeah mon, doing good works and getting people closer to the father through the works.

ReggaeMovement :  When you first started, you were chanting and DeeJaying like Bounty Killer.  <yeah, man, was DeeJaying a lot>.  Do you still implement that style at all in any of your music at all?  Live, recorded, anywhere at all?

Warrior King :  Nah, because when I was a DeeJay, I was not all that positive, ya know what I mean?  But give thanks to that, for that is where I started, but I don’t really implement it.  But I am also versatile, and can DeeJay.  Maybe in the future, you might hear me DeeJay some positive lyrics, but for now, no.

ReggaeMovement :  What do you think of the state of reggae music is today and where do you see your place in it?

Warrior King :  Well, reggae is getting more exposure on the positive lyrics, so give thanks to that.  And I like the positive more right now, which we give thanks for.  And my place is to be a positive example and to help grow the positive side of it.

ReggaeMovement :  Are you planning on having a Hold the Faith Tour to follow up the album?

Warrior King :  Yeah, we’re gonna have that, it’s in the making. 

ReggaeMovement :  And what do you feel when you get on stage in front of a crowd of people?

Warrior King :  Well, I’m going to be honest with you.  I still get nervous getting on stage, and a little tingle comes down when I get up, but when I get up there and grab the mic, I feel the presence of the Most High and I feel great, everything goes great.  But whenever I come to a place, I always try to do my best, for it’s all that I can ask of myself regardless of the situation.

ReggaeMovement :  What is the one thing that I haven’t asked you that you would like to say?

Warrior King :  What is my advice to the general public?  Ya know, read the bible with a clear conscious and accept the bible with a clear conscious.  Because if you don’t accept with a clear conscious you can not accept salvation.  Learn to forgive so that you may be forgiven and show love to everyone you meet.  And really tolerance, accept everyone for who they are, for everyone has the right to be what they want to be, and that is what I have to say, ‘nuff respect.

ReggaeMovement :  Thank you Warrior King, and good luck with Hold the Faith

Warrior King :  Thank You, Larry, the pleasure was all mine.