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A Preserver of Reggae Music
Reggae | Sunday 15th April 2012 | Osh
He’s what we might describe as a preserver of reggae music and its roots. Based in Jamaica, the Balion Music School of Reggae and Performing Arts is all about using the chance to reform the issues reggae has come across as an artform. Defending “culture with true quality controlled musical production with the right message in the right spiritual order” is necessary to “snap the discoursed journey" it has been derailed to.
Rupert Davidson took the time out to speak on reggae music and the Balion Music School.
What issues do you feel reggae has come across?
Reggae has faced a lot of issues today since not a lot of people can really appreciate it for its true purpose. How many people know what the word reggae itself means? Anyway, since reggae is a tool of protest and redemption it will always have adversary forces to contend with on various levels of society; especially from the so- called leaders who play a role in part to a system which manipulates human resources and even social behaviour patterns which affect the culture of things today. It has been raped in an effort to fuse out its potency, especially with its connection to the Rastafarian message.
What are the aims of the Balion Music School?
The School is a project that aims to preserve and enhance the quality of reggae music and the culture surrounding it. We seek to develop inner city talent on various levels so the potential can be fully maximised and we aim to bring about change in our communities with the use of the project while sharing our culture with the world as technology will be used to share and fuse information integrated in projects. We will train, produce and promote talents, showcasing and touring globally. We develop for export and also merchandise items which will complement our musical arts, sold to raise funds at events endorsing our projects and we host independently or as a collective. We aim to introduce the authentic purpose of reggae especially amongst the youths.
Is this an original idea or are there more schools like this in Jamaica/ the world?
The idea is original though it somewhat grew subconsciously out of the essence of other efforts here which can’t be denied. Though there are no other institutions known to us locally doing the same works directly with the same claim, there are a few projects doing what they can to preserve the music in the same sense. It is a wonderful idea which others tend to like very much.
Are you a part of an organisation/ company?
The idea was developed by a few friends and associates in various ways over the period and we have been trying to get it established. We have approached this project the best way we saw fit though we have not yet gained the support needed as there are a few issues affecting full development; especially with problems facing local music industry organisations, artists and musicians.
Have you worked with any artists for the project?
We have a few established artists which are working with us as far as committing to events and performing at The Buss Out. We have had elders like Ken Boothe, Tony Tuff and others.
What do you hope to gain from The Buss Out weekly talent showcase?
The Buss Out Showcase will bring us on par with the rest of the world as far as performance and delivery of Jamaican talent. We will use the show to pool and recruit talents and we hope to be live and streaming in the very near future so we can deliver fresh, conscious and cultural content at a reasonable rate. When developed properly, the show will be able to be shown locally on television and cable. Local acts can feel comfortable and supply their exposure to the public needs. The show will build up to a momentum which will create a buzz to allow us to host a major show at least twice per year locally and internationally over time.
And with all of the issues reggae music has been facing, a project like this seems like the perfect cure especially when based in the place where the genre began. This school certainly appears to be a move in the right direction for reggae music.
