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Why the 5th annual Bob Marley’s Caribbean music festival was so important to me

In 1997, after rocking the Zen Music Festival with my progressive rock-reggae band Le Coup, I felt a pull to explore a new sound. Inspired by the jungle drum and bass beats I’d heard in the UK three years earlier, I hit the studio to craft songs that fused organic live performance with electronic energy. It was a vision I could hear clearly in my head, but bringing it to life was a challenge.


After writing enough material for a full set, I assembled a new band and played a few local gigs to test the waters. Capturing the raw, electronic vibe of jungle with live musicians was tougher than I expected. I cycled through countless players, struggling to nail the sound. The concept of blending electronica dance music with a live band felt alien to many at the time.


After months of trial and error, the sound finally clicked. I was ready for a proper showcase and got the chance to open for Lauryn Hill, Carlos Santana, and others at the 5th Annual Bob Marley Caribbean Festival on February 14, 1998.

Just before that milestone, I had a memorable encounter at Bob Marley’s house in Miami.


It was a laid-back afternoon with Woody Harrelson, Wesley Snipes, Mother Booker, Richard, his sister Pearl, and me. When a spliff made its way around the room, I passed on it, sparking some lighthearted ribbing from Woody. “What kind of dread are you, refusing the herb?” he teased, his delivery drawing laughs from everyone but me. I shot back, a bit defensive, “Not every dread smokes.” That sparked a deeper conversation with Woody, who dropped some serious knowledge on me. He mentioned The Emperor Wears No Clothes, a book I’d never heard of. Intrigued, I listened as he called his assistant to have a copy sent to me within 24 hours.


Reading that book opened my eyes to the world of cannabis and its history. Inspired, I wrote my first single, “Cannabis Hemp,” as a nod to Woody.

My producer at the time, Leo Purvis, created the track, I ended up making 200 copies on CD and released them locally in 1998. For the live show, I reworked the track into a rendition inspired by Roni Size’s Brown Paper Bag riddim, which is what you’re seeing and hearing in this video.


Less than a month later, as the MC for Rabbit In The Moon, I got to meet Roni and the Reprazent crew and shared the stage with them.


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