INTERVIEW: GREGORY ISAACS SPEAKS TO JOEL SAVAGE

The writer Joel Savage and Gregory Isaacs



Reggae superstar Gregory Isaacs has rocked the world with his countless hits in the field of reggae over the past thirty years. Known in Jamaica as “The Cool Ruler” due to his slow style of cool melodious love tunes, the star was born in 1951 in Kingston-Jamaica. 


Gregory died at the age of 59, after a long illness at his London home on Monday morning.


His numerous hits, which include “Night Nurse, Mr. Brown, Slave Market, Black Liberation Struggle, Diplomatic Fools, Not the way, Hard drugs, made the ultimate reggae star unique and gained international stardom. 

On May 2, 2008, supported by a Jamaican reggae group called “Live Wyya,” Gregory thrilled the audience when one of the ladies that night gave him a bunch of roses.

After performing live, we sat down for a conversation of which I want to share with reggae fans worldwide.

Joel: It’s been over thirty years since you stormed the reggae world. You are still serious in the field of reggae. What has kept you strong all these years?

Gregory: Jah is my guide, my light, and my salvation.

Joel: You have released a great number of hits, including “Hard Drug,” which hit the British charts in the middle of the eighties. Could you please tell me which of your albums has that song and which of your albums is the best?

Gregory: To me, the best of everything hasn’t come out yet, and that song is on the album “All That I Have Is Love,” the second version.

Joel: Often, great reggae stars are tainted with scandals many times, which has led them to jail. Do you think it’s just a way to ruin their career or frustrate them because they often sing against the government?

Gregory: Well, some people do good things and others do bad things. But when people are in control, they can do whatever they want because they can. Also, the devil is everywhere. Gregory then laughed hysterically.

Joel: I always asked every reggae star I interviewed the same question. All over Africa, the name Gregory Isaacs is regarded as one of the greatest stars in reggae music. However, have you ever visited any of the reggae countries?

Gregory: Yes, I have been all over Africa. I have been to Zimbabwe, Ghana, Gambia, and Ethiopia. I have been right there, truly speaking.

Joel: Reggae music is a crowd puller; everyone loves it. You can imagine the fans who came to watch you tonight. Everywhere is fully jammed. But why is the music given less recognition compared to other music?

Gregory: The music is sensitive because of the truth. Bob was once asked in an interview if reggae preaches violence. Bob said positively that before rasta came on the scene, there was violence. The truth is bitter to swallow, sharper than an arrow piercing through the flesh.

Joel: As a family man, how many children do you have?

Gregory: Eleven children.

Joel: When you finally retired from music, what do you think would be your next ambition?

Gregory: Those who need uplifting shall be uplifted, but physically and financially, men are at the forefront and the work shall continue.

Joel: What advice do you have for your numerous fans worldwide on drug abuse?

Gregory: It only loves; the love of God could conquer drug abuse

Joel: Mr. Isaacs, thank you very much for this interview.

Gregory: Jah love.

Read other artists' interviews, in 'The Passion Of Reggae And African Music available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Joel-Savage/e/B008SCTYI6

The Children's Story: WHY ANANSI -THE SPIDER ALWAYS HIDES AT THE CORNER

Ananse the spider: African folktales.

Grouping children and telling them stories is one of the African traditions. This is a story about the spider known by the Akans, Fantis, or Twi in Ghana as "Anansi."

According to the story, Anansi visited his mother-in-law on an empty stomach. He was really starving to death. 

On arrival, he was welcomed by his in-law, and since her delicious meal of beans was ready, his mother-in-law served him.

 Even though Anansi was on the edge of collapsing with hunger, he refused to eat the food with the excuse that he had eaten a couple of minutes ago.

According to the narrator of the story, Anansi was just playing gently. He was actually feeling shy about eating at his mother-in-law's house. 

This is actually a stupid thing to do by Anansi; after all, what is the shamefulness in this when someone eats at the wife's mother's house?

Just then, someone knocked on the door. As soon as the mother-in-law went to answer the call, Anansi sneaked into the kitchen to fill his hat full of the hot bean stew and quickly put it on his head.

The extremely hot cooked bean stew was peeling off his hair from his skull. He told his mother-in-law that he wants to leave. Then, both went out talking. 

He told his mother-in-law, "Please go back to the house; I can go on my own." His mother-in-law, not suspecting anything, decided to escort him further.

When Anansi couldn't persuade his wife's mother to return home, and also couldn't stand the pain any longer, he lifted his hat, and the hot beans spilled all over his body.

The shocked mother-in-law stood motionless, watching as her son-in-law fled in agony. The shame Anansi cast on himself was too much to bear; from that period, he went into hiding.

This is the reason Anansi the Spider is always seen at the corners of buildings or places. Actually hiding from his disgrace.

HOME OFFICE MUST CONSIDER GAMU

Rejected X Factor hopeful Gamu Nhengu must leave the UK voluntarily, the UK Border Agency has said.


The 18-year-old singer was allowed to stay in the country as a dependent while her mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, studied at university. But the visa has now run out, and the family's application to remain in the UK has been rejected as they did not meet all the criteria set down by the Home Office.

Gamu Nhengu must leave the UK?

They must now leave the UK voluntarily or face deportation to their native Zimbabwe. A spokesman for the Home Office said the decision to axe the student from X Factor was the "business" of the television show. 

He could not say whether the omission by Judge Cheryl Cole had been decided after talks between immigration officials and the program's bosses.  

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "The applications made by Miss Ngazana and her family were considered in line with the published immigration rules.

"Miss Ngazana's application was refused as it did not meet all of the conditions for approval. Her family, who had applied as her dependents, was therefore also refused." 

So far, more than 210,000 fans have signed up to a Facebook page called Gamu Should Have Got Through, protesting against the decision by Cheryl on Sunday to leave Gamu out of the final 12.

At least one of the rejected contestants will be given a lifeline over the weekend as a wild card on Saturday night's program. Bosses have denied reports that Cheryl was influenced by fears that Gamu's visa was due to run out. 

A spokeswoman for the ITV1 talent show said: "Gamu's visa being processed was not the reason that she didn't make the final 12." This is really a sad story that has touched many people across the world.