BY REGGAE FESTIVAL GUIDE PUBLISHER KAATI
November 11, 2019
Having known Soulmedic and being familiar with his music and energetic stage performances for over 15 years, it was a delight to reconnect with him over this interview opportunity in advance of his new single “TERRIBLE” and accompanying animated video to be released November 15, 2019. The song enthralls me on several levels: the musicality of it with Soulmedic’s strong, rich voice (which reminds me of Damian Marley), his dynamic range, the instrumentation by Roots Radics Band, and the passionate subject matter.
After listening to this song (and watching the video) umpteen times, I knew that I wanted to dig deeper and find out more about it. It presents a side of Soulmedic that is just as emotional as his other songs, yet it evokes a different kind of feeling.
For those who want to hear what the song is like, directly from the artist’s mouth, then Soulmedic simply states. “I simply wanted to teach my own children and the upcoming generation about the historical truth about Ethiopia and World War II. What better way to teach than through song,” he says with confidence.
RFG: How old were you when you started to make music?
Soulmedic: “I started singing the music surrounding me at an early age in private — maybe 10 or 11 and eventually this transformed into hip-hop music from 14-19. Around age 19, I took a turn back to singing, while still ever building on my lyrical foundation from hip-hop culture — my spirit heard the calling to inspire and enlighten through the tradition of Reggae music. This tradition started for me in the sound systems and festivals and through the volumes of 45’s I would select on my “Soulmedic Sound” system as Dj Kung Fu. I attended dances as devotedly as I would have attended a university class and eventually had my legendary professors (Stone Love, Metromedia, David Rodigan, Jah Warrior Shelter and all the countless DJ and singer legends) hand me the microphone thus passing on the tradition. I then took on the name Soulmedic as an artist and focused on producing, writing and performing.”
RFG: What was your inspiration for this song? Why is the subject matter important to you?
Soulmedic: “This song came clear very mystically one night with the bass driving powers of the Cuss Cuss Riddim thundering, the lightning cracked open in inspiration with the chorus, “Big! Bad! Terrible! 72 Nations dem a bow down….” That’s how the greatest music comes through — it doesn’t belong to me, it’s the moment of communion with the Creator.
This subject is extremely important for keeping history relevant as it is a reflection of what has happened on a global scale throughout time. Ethiopia represents the origins of Christianity and many of its prophets, the home of the Ark of the Covenant as well as the Solomonic Dynasty. Rome and the Catholic Church have based their entire religion on an edited form of this while sponsoring slavery and conquering nations with the blessing of the Pope.
The conquering of Ethiopia by Italy sanctioned by the Pope is a story that must be remembered; it is a modern-day Bible story. History and culture are threatened when humanity is so distracted by negative downward spiral programming; the truth is there but is unseen. We have so many options, and truth can get lost in the chaos.
Our children must be taught and reminded:
~We had a Solomonic King on the throne of a Black African nation— that in itself is vital to the psyche of all people and even more to all people born with dark skin.
~The Vatican based their entire religion on something taken from Africa and then attempted to steal Ethiopia’s inheritance—the Ark of the Covenant as well.
~Mussolini attempted to build roads and railroads and dam tributaries of Lake Tana at Halie Selassie’s denial. Mussolini used a supposed ‘border dispute’ to invade a peaceful nation.
~Haile Selassie stood in front of the League of Nations with the prophetic warning of world war — and shortly after Europe plunged into chaos.
These are stories worth telling again and again and again. They are important things we do not learn in school because of the white supremacist history written by its supposed “victors” which does not include the glory of Africa, Ethiopia or Haile Selassie.
Rasta or not, Haile Selassie must be exemplified and remembered in history, as well as Marcus Garvey, for their contributions to the upliftment of humanity as well as stories and accounts of their glory in order to remind man and woman of their own greatness or divinity.”
RFG: How did you put the team together? What was the inspiration for this? Tell us about the recording process? Where did you do this work?
Soulmedic: “King Ivier of Royal Order Music and I were reasoning at his gates one evening when I let him know I was looking for a very rare version of the Cuss Cuss that was on Ranking Joe’s label. He found it and put me in touch with Ranking Joe who loved the track and was happy to lend his production skill to help craft the song into what it is and put the executive production stamp on it.”
RFG: Can fans expect a full album to follow?
Soulmedic: “Yes, but there is no scheduled release date as of yet. You can expect a bi-monthly single and video release for the next few years — I have a lot of music locked and loaded ready to go. It’s a ‘singles market’ so I’m going to play that game with the next one being “Ancient Powers” filmed on the new volcano on Big Island Hawaii.
I have a lot of back catalog available now on the market also: 5 solo albums and many singles for other producers. In December I will be re-releasing the Hyphyhall Riddim featuring Spragga Benz, Pressure Busspipe, Mega Banton, Marlon Asher, Lutan Fyah and more — a project I produced some years ago where the label and distributor completely failed on the business of the release lol (I’m laughing now, it wasn’t always so), and I’m happy to present this once again to the public in December.
A few years back I produced the Kilimanjaro Riddim — a deep-roots classic with songs from Marlon Asher, Pressure Busspipe and more — you can hear and purchase on all platforms. I have a few singles I produced for veteran artist Lenky Roy that will be releasing next year as well.”
RFG: Who are your influences?
Soulmedic: “Heaven and Earth, Mom, Dad, my elders, Haile Selassie, Marcus Garvey, KRS One, Bob Marley, Rakim Allah, General Smiley, Dennis Brown, Garnet Silk, Capleton, Chuck D, countless prophets and sages.”
RFG: What does Reggae music mean to you?
Soulmedic: “My calling and platform to raise the vibration of earth and its people.”
RFG: Where do you see yourself 20 years down the road?
Soulmedic: “Happy “
RFG: What advice would you give to up and coming musicians, and any youth out there with a dream?
Soulmedic: “Make sure it’s your dream and not some BS they programmed into you that is dictated by validation, greed, competition, or pushing downward spiraling propaganda ~ Create in unity with the Creator through your heart and ALL is possible ~ Be yourself and don’t follow what’s popular ~ You need no validation by the supposed music industry, they just want to steal your energy ~ Make uplifting, intelligent and inspiring music, we have enough of the other.”
Note from the publisher: Soulmedic’s release TERRIBLE (single and video) is available on all platforms on November 15. Don’t miss it!
