Coming from different parts of Jamaica, the members of DUBTONIC KRU individually have been exposed to a variety of musical genres. Their songs and spoken words are consciously thought-provoking, while their rhythm/dub section walks through the passage of time with a gritty sound that rolls stones and break fences.
Two significant milestones by DUBTONIC KRU include winning the 2010 Global Battle of Band award and the composition of the “I Swear” rhythm, a rhythm that took the Reggae arena by storm, which featured Chuck Fenda’s “I Swear” and Richie Spice’s “Marijuana”.
I interviewed group member “Jubba” about the group’s Gold Edition DUBTONIC KRU CD, their accomplishments, and their advice for youth who want to start a band of their own.
Resident Planning Geek: Hi Jubba! I want to start off by saying that I enjoyed jamming to the instrumentals and vocals on your latest album. I’m not a fan of instrumentals, but I find DUBTONIC KRU’s rhythms upbeat and melodic. My favorite songs on your new CD are thoughtful, communicating powerful messages. One song on the importance of unity among African countries. The second song is on the impact of the Internet on youth around the world. I nearly fell out off my chair when Roun Deh played; the song is relevant to what I do daily. I use blogging and the power of the Internet to try to empower youth.
To start, could you share your inspiration for the song Roun Deh? As a follow-up, do you think the Internet can be a vehicle for empowering youth?
DUBTONIC KRU: Our inspiration was life. Current affairs that affect us on a daily basis. All the issues and situations that impact our lives. We look at situations from an angle. We are in an age where the economy is hard to cope with. You have parents having to work two or three jobs and children growing up alone. We’re talking about those of a tender age, easily influenced by the Internet. The Internet has both positive and negative messages. A child not properly guided can be easily misguided.
It can be a gruesome situation what a child can be open to. Kids now have access to Internet channels that deal with profane things. With the proper guidance we can create a better balance and positively affect the development of young minds.
Resident Planning Geek: What other outside influences have impacted your music?
DUBTONIC KRU: Anything within life itself is an inspiration to us. We are all living things. We breathe a fraction of the same air. I cannot speak to anything outside of that because that is what we relate to in our music. Sitting here, listening to your views is one aspect. Me going on the street and seeing a person be mean to someone else and me wanting to flip that script is another aspect. It’s the kids playing in the park. It’s the birds in the trees. It’s kids playing with technological advancements. It’s everything.
Our fans are an inspiration to us. Hearing what these songs mean to you is an inspiration to us. Because you are part of the whole. It’s these little things.
Resident Planning Geek: Shifting to another focus, what is the mission of your music that you share with the world?
DUBTONIC KRU: When you look up the meaning of the two names, Dub and Tonic, the meaning comes together. Dub, as we know it, is the foundation of reggae music. It is the version without lyrical content. Tonic, as we know it, is very vital to health. It’s the improvement to health. So, putting the two words together we came up with the ‘foundation medicine’. We’re back to the roots. Music, as we know it, has played a role in the development of mankind. Music soothes. It is there to entertain. It is there to inform. It is there to educate.
Our music should sooth. This mission, equal to the foundation medicine, speaks to the people, on behalf of the people, to bring vitality, consciousness and comfort to the people.
Resident Planning Geek: Do you have any advice for young musicians on how they can develop a mission for their music?
DUBTONIC KRU: My advice, as with any other craft, or anything else you want to aspire to do, is to first ensure that this is what you really want to do.
Do it because you love it. Passion and love are the same thing. If you are driven to pursuit, against all odds, you will find a way to do it.
You need to do this before you even determine to develop a mission for your music. After that, there comes putting in place the necessary steps.
Resident Planning Geek: Each of you has shared in previous interviews that you want the world to know how wonderful Jamaica is. Did this pride for your country develop from being raised in Jamaica, or from being musicians of the socially conscious genre, roots reggae?
DUBTONIC KRU: It is a little bit of both. More so because we are part of music that is a movement for the development of mankind. Still very important, we are natives of the land and that is the origin of the music. Reggae is spiritual music that came out of a movement as a result of oppression. What influenced the movement is what inspires our music. Because of our firsthand experience we are able to communicate this culture through the music.
Resident Planning Geek: You have a wide fan base, stretching from the West Indies to Asia. In 2010 you traveled to Malaysia and won the Global Battle of Band award. The significance of your win is impressive. DUBTONIC KRU won the regional and national Global Battle of the Band competition in Jamaica and you went on to represent your country in the world finals held in Malaysia. You won the world finals, beating out other countries in various genre including metal, rock and fusion.
What did this win mean for you as a band?
DUBTONIC KRU: It meant a lot, even to people who didn’t know us but were fans of reggae. It couldn’t have come at a better time, actually. Around that time reggae music was getting a lot of negative press.
This win means a lot to us also because of what it means to other musicians, especially younger artists. We hope aspiring musicians who want to pursue their craft on a professional level can see our achievement and know that they can do it too.
We have been an independent band and have financed our tours and our albums. We appreciate the support of family, fans and the media. Without them it could not have been possible.
Resident Planning Geek: Since your win you’ve completed a world tour. A world tour is big deal. What’s next for you?
DUBTONIC KRU: We will be heading to the US, the East Coast, early November, where we will be doing a few shows. Our main show will be the Reggae Culture Salute at the Nazareth Performance Center, Brooklyn on November 5th. We’ll also be at Mekadas in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The date of this show and updates about tour can be found on our Facebook page, our website and on twitter.
Resident Planning Geek: I’m sure a youth is reading this and wants to follow in your footsteps. What initial steps does it take to assemble a band like yours?
DUBTONIC KRU: Dedication is key. People who have the drive to ensure continuity in their craft are successful. Key to achieving success is love and passion. Persistence is essential. And being consistent, having a cohesive approach in working together is important. So is a good relationship between band members.
Resident Planning Geek: One final question. What steps can a youth band take to start to build a fan base?
DUBTONIC KRU: First, I recommend that you develop a strategic way of building a fan base that will be a comfort to your strengths.
All mediums are important. Social networking sites are the thing now. They are to be used. Find your strengths.
For me, I don’t have a problem using and working on social media. I have the drive to get our message out, and this medium is good for that.
Also, your message should be directed at people. You should get their attention. Getting to the ears and the minds of the people creates a fan base.
More about DUBTONIC KRU: The founding members of DUBTONIC KRU are “Jubba” and “Stone”, a dynamic Drum & Bass duo who, over the years have contributed to the development of modern Roots Reggae, with their unique sound and approach that intertwines Jubba’s mesmerizing Reggae/Jazz Fusion drumming with Stone’s groovy, yet pulsating bass lines. The KRU became a more complete music machine with the addition of longtime friend and versatile guitarist Jallanzo, who also added his strong vocal ability along with his refined engineering skills, as well, a young and very talented Luke Dixon on work stations. Another turning point of the group’s dynamic came with the addition of very unique and powerful singer to round out the already electrifying dub compositions with sometimes spoken words by Jubba and the thrilling voice of Jallanzo. Kamau, “the Quiet Warrior”, who already has one album and two popular singles to his credit “Sight a Revolution” and “Goodbye Babe” under the Island Treasure label, brings a revolutionary voice to the KRU.
Like DUBTONIC KRU on Facebook here. Follow them on Twitter here. Watch them on Youtube, and visit the DUBTONIC KRU website. Listen to DUBTONIC KRU’s CD. You can buy their music on their website.
© 2012 Resident Planning Geek
