NASIO FONTAINE
Interviewed by Jesse I -- March 31, 1999

 

JESSE: With me right now I have the man called Nasio Fontaine. He's just recorded his new album “Revolution” and it's getting rave review from its pre-release copies. Nasio, if you can tell us, what are you trying to accomplish with this album?

NASIO: Well first, let me say greetings in the name of the Most High, Emperor Haile Selassie I, Jah Rastafari. Y'know? Well, the whole thing we're trying to accomplish with the music, and the message, is to bring people of all class, creeds, race and color, [together] throughout the face of the Earth. And learn people. Bring out the consciousness, amongst people of the Earth. In a musical revolution, seen?

JESSE: Seen. So you write all your own songs, and it's strictly conscious lyrics. Where do you get your inspiration from?

NASIO: Yeah, we write the songs there man. The whole inspiration come from… basically, everything is from the Most High, who give I'n'I strength, and cause I'n'I face to shine. But, inspiration come from all the people that I meet, everyday. From day to day. I talk to people, and dem cry de pain. Talk about their struggles, and overstand certain things. And I see certain things on the news. Is like a bulk, a whole bulk of energy. Me just look upon that, and write up on dat, and that is where a lot of stuff come off, y'know?

JESSE: Okay. Well, as a conscious artist like that, with a deep feeling, what do you think when you hear the rude reggae, and the slackness that is so big in the dancehall?

NASIO: Yeah, y'know my bredren, like me say, everyone have a work to do. Just like me have my work to do. My choice is to bring forth more goodness to life. More positive energy. More good music, y'know. That could direct and uplift, and go to the subconscious of our people and touch it. Well, me personally think that reggae music is kingly music. Is a music that came out of the inner feelings, and the bones, and essence, of Rastafari. And me think, to myself, that this music must always stay clean and pure. Have an upliftment to humanity. Well, if anyone want to do what them want to do, it's up to them. But me personally feel like it should always be a conscious vibe.

JESSE: Respect. Well, your music is very very rootsy, but it has also got a real modern sound to it. How do you think it compares to the original Jamaican roots reggae of the seventies?

NASIO: Yo mon! The music is about roots... y'know. Is basically… we have the foundation of the music, which is roots, and it's always coming from a roots point-of-view. The whole message is roots. But then, there is a shine to it. It's all production, that shine where you could hear it. Is like.. you could not take a caveman, and bring him to live in these modern cities we have today. So, the music is like, of old, but we bring it to a light. A new light, where the people could overstand it, and get real into it.

JESSE: Right. Well, what attracted you to reggae in the first place. How did you get your start in the business?

NASIO: Yeah, well.. me no think, me never.. It's not like an attraction thing, it's more like a happening vibe. It's like a deep spirituality. Like reggae come hand in hand with Rastafari. Reggae is a music that Rasta cry out, through the pain we suffer, in the dungeons inna the ghetto. So that bring forth a pain, and the pain we express through reggae music. So, is like… both of them rub on each other and the result of it is just pure goodness.

JESSE: Right. Well, people in reggae are always comparing you to Bob Marley. Personally, I don't think there is ever going to be another Bob Marley, but there is a touch of Marley in the way you come across. How do you react to these comparisons that you get all the time?

NASIO: Y'know… Bob is Bob, and Nasio Fontaine is Nasio Fontaine. But there is spirituality, and it's coming from the same tree. Rastafari is one big tree, and there is many branches. Y'know… there is Burning Spear, there is Culture, there is Luciano, there is Buju Banton; and there is Nasio Fontaine. So, I am grateful for anyone who wants to compare me to Bob, but Nasio has his own talent, and me own personality. Me have a message for the Earth, and here me are, delivering it y'know?

JESSE: Okay, and you're planning to really work hard to deliver that message, and do some touring to support this new album?

NASIO: Yes, and the people of the Earth can look forward to see us. People will be checking it out, on the websites, and on the magazines, and checking the tour dates, and sooner or later, the people of the world will see us play for them. Because our whole work, our whole vibe and feeling is to really play for the people - lift the people. And we're looking forward to that.

JESSE: Sounds great, and we'd love to see you down under.

NASIO: Yo man, and we just want to thank everyone. You personally, and all the people of the region, y'know, who has been so very supportive of the artist. And I'm looking forward to one day meeting all these people.

JESSE: That would be great. So are there any final words of wisdom you'd like to leave for the Melbourne massive?

NASIO: Yes! Well, to all the people of Melbourne , and Australia , and the rest of the Earth. Y'know the whole message is… we must find a positive way to come together with each other. We must deal with one another with more peace, and love, and Godliness. We must love God and live, y'know? We must really come together. And that is the only solution. Unless the people of the Earth have not really decided to come together and live… Because that is the principle of Rastafari. Regardless of where you come from, everyone is a child of the Most High. So the people of Australia , and Melbourne , and the rest of the Earth… love God and live! Rastafari live! That is the solution.

JESSE: Yes I. Maximum respect to the man known as Nasio Fontaine. Thank you very much for taking the time out to speak to us, Nasio.

NASIO: Yeah man, is a pleasure. Respect.