Jahdan Blakkamoore Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 10th 2010 11:30AM by Martine Paris
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Jahdan Blakkamoore has long made a name for himself as a reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, dubstep artist, but this high acclaimed, chart-topping poet is one of the most versatile vocalists out there straddling genres that go from dreamy orchestral to urban world music in a single beat. His band Noble Society's album 'Take Charge' was named Best Reggae Album of 2008 by iTunes and his debut solo album, 'Buzzrock Warrior,' was named Best Reggae Album of 2009 by iTunes. Even one of the album's tracks, 'The General,' was featured as Song of the Week by National Geographic World Music. Blakkamoore has shared the stage with artists such as as Anthony B., Sizzla and Lee Scratch Perry, has toured worldwide with Branford Marsalis and has recorded with hip-hop pioneer DJ Premier. As he takes the stage at SXSW and casts his spell over Austin, he is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Spinner recently caught up with Blakkamoore to talk about his solo pursuits and his band Noble Society.

When did you know that music was going to be your life?

When I was two years old my parents came to America in search of a better life. They were seeking streets paved of gold. They left me in Guyana and returned for me four years later. I was just six years old when I arrived in Brooklyn. It was 1980 and New York was very exciting. Reggae and hip-hop were in a great place. I was just a little boy but I was soaking it all up. I loved New York and honed my reggae chat sound in the dance halls there. In college I was in the band Blackhearted Skavengers and left with them the minute we got the chance to tour with Branford Marsalis.

How did your band form?

In 2000, my bredrin (and fellow vocalist) Delie and I met Diego (Fuego) Campo, the producer and founder of Noble Society, at a studio session on the Berklee campus. He had a diverse group of cats playing. It was here that I was introduced to Rory Jackson, our bassist, Peter Stolzman, our original pianist, and Diantoni Parks [and] our original drummer who had played with Sade.

How did you come up with the band name?

Fuego named us after the old noble Knights Templar and the Freemasons, that we are the real noble society. I took my last name Blakkamoore from a book my dad gave me, 'The Golden Age of Moor' by Ivan Van Sertima, with the intent of taking on the attributes of the African moorish warriors who conquered Europe.

Describe your sound:

Our sound is an amalgamation of all of the indigenous music from around the world. It's all the root cultures mixed in a gumbo. We strive to make our music as universally appealing as possible so that people from all walks of society can feel the music, relate to it, and digest our message which is: "Wake up world and live." Wake up from the spell you've been put under by the powers that be. Come to the power within, come back to your inner self. The message is both peaceful and revolutionary.

Beatles or Stones?

Both. I love them both equally. It's a choice I could make only if it were the last choice on earth.

Who are your musical influences?

All artistic people being true to their artistic expression, that are deliberate in it and hold it sacred, standing as role models to the world. My influences include Bob Marley and the Wailers, Fela Kuti, Saul Williams, Janelle Monae, Bjork and Raul Midon.

What is your musical guilty pleasure?

Singing over one drop roots reggae riddims is my musical guilty pleasure.

Who were your first celeb crushes?

Sade and Alicia Keys.

What is in your festival survival kit?

My essential oils -- Egyptian musk, frankincense, myrrh, shea butter. Clean boxers, clean clothes. Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap. My lighter, raw rolling papers, and herb. Everything else is a given.

Any vices?

My girlfriend. I have to have her no matter what. She is my only vice. I can't do without her.

What is the craziest thing you've ever experienced on tour?

Arriving at the German border and realizing that my passport was back at the hotel in Switzerland with my other carrying case. We were driving over to Stuttgart and Hamburg to perform at seven festivals with Noble Society. There was no way to go back for my passport. Luckily I had my drivers license and several people were able to vouch for me. The border officials were very nice about it, it took them about an hour to trace who I was and they allowed me to go on without the passport.

How do you stay in touch with your fans?

I'm able to stay in touch with my fans by way of MySpace and Facebook from my iPhone. I don't use Twitter.

What are you most looking forward to at SXSW?

I am hoping that SXSW will provide me with the opportunity to gain greater exposure to the world. I would like to meet up with and impress Alliance Talent Agency and other agencies that can provide me with far more bookings locally and abroad. I am also looking forward to connecting with my fans.

What's next?

After SXSW, we go back to Florida. I will be performing 'Cash Flow' with Major Lazer at Ultra Music Festival - Winter Music Conference in Miami. The band is working on a new album called 'PPM' that stands for "Powerful Painful Music" which will be out late summer. A new solo album called 'Babylon Nightmare' will be out in the spring. We plan to tour across the U.S. and abroad.

How do you define success?

Success is living in no regret and being content with the decisions you make. Success is when you are happy earning your daily bread as well as living in abundance and in good health.

Martine Paris is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.