@PayAttentionJa PROMO: @Sef_Jo Interviews @Rseenal

“It is time for us to push the creative boundaries and let our masterpieces speak loudly for itself in some classic, timeless, ageless manner.”

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Jamaica is home to a musical culture that’s quite diverse in nature as displayed at the #PayAttention concert series. Regular patrons should know that after a short hiatus the show will be back on Saturday, January 31 at C&C South Beach, 2 Brompton Road.
Rseenal is ready to perform a Hip-Hop laced set & he explains why as we caught up with him to ask about his 2015 plans.

Q: You’re a #PayAttention veteran, how exactly does it feel to be hitting the stage after the short break? [July 19th being the last staging of the show]
A: For the opening act after the break, to hit THAT stage means to set the precedence: upholding the highest standard all others must follow hereafter. This is a great task.. rather, a noble task in the local Jamaican Hip-Hop community, that must reassure the rest of the world of Jamaica’s Rap relevance. It is a worthy force to be reckoned with because the First Coast movement is fully active and greater is yet to come!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZHS_IkNDw0

Q: Summarize what core fans should expect to see/hear on Jan. 31
A: Personally, I usually electrify my audience with a high-energy performance. For this specific staging, my core fans will get to see me perform more Hip-Hop influenced tracks w/ a more hardcore message, delivery and killer lyrics. #PayAttention is a Hip Hop show, therefore, why shouldn’t my performance be strictly within the context of Hip-Hop?

Q: Share one track/video you feel embodies your entire work & tell us the meaning behind it.
A: ‘Ghetto Boy‘ [the first track on my 2nd Official Hip-Hop influenced Mixtape entitled ‘The Power Of Intelligence‘] is a sober message expressing my journey towards self-actualization, from the typical ghetto boy into man. Through utilizing the power of intelligence to create the desired reality, and a sample from the song originally by Donny Hathaway [‘Little Ghetto Boy‘] the track asks: “What you gonna do when you grow up, and have to face responsibility?”  I believe my greatest responsibility is to strive for and manifest my ultimate success in all aspects of my livity.

Q: On that note, if you feel like letting on, what puts you in the right vibe to make music?
A: I just totally float away in my mind with the vibe of the beat, who knows what comes out…

Q: It’s important that your fans are kept in the loop also, so what’s the progression for the rest of the year?
A: I’m looking forward to a great year, artistically. I intend to play and perform more live music. The ‘Aluta Continua‘ EP is complete and ready to be released. I also intend tours and shows overseas to broaden my scope. Expect much more new music, collaborations with musical heavy hitters. Stay in the loop, we will keep everyone posted.

Q: If @Azaeliabanks singled you out [on twitter] because she felt that you don’t represent as a BLACK artiste, how would you respond?
A: After RETWEETing, then sending some kisses her way i’d simply respond: “B*tch, I’m #Jamaican!” -LAUGHS- says it all…

Q: Why is it (from your perspective) that Hip-Hop in Jamaica isn’t yet on some worldwide renown level?
[via Andrew “Kawb” Bell]
A: I personally think it is because we try to copy the American Hip-Hop sounds and lifestyle too much. The core of the local Hip-Hop movement’s ultimate success lies in its originality. Not only this, but how we represent best this genre of this music and allow the audience to perceive Hip-Hop from our culture’s point-of-view. When we can inspire our audiences with an Authentic Jamaican Hip-Hop culture and sound, then will we be able to better sell the music as well as every thing that goes with it! This goes without saying:

① We will need to work with more unity and cohesiveness. 

② We will have to utilize, manage and share our resources with each other as a way to effectively ensure a general quality control. 

③ We must develop more platforms as outlets for our music and support each other’s initiatives. Everything that we do holistically from that point will be very successful on the micro level which will eventually resonate into the macro and global audiences.

When we all start looking successful individually then will the world recognize the movement as a great force. The movement must facilitate this and ensure the highest standards are created for our art-form. It is time for us to push the creative boundaries and let our masterpieces speak loudly for itself in some classic, timeless, ageless manner.