Niko: Welcome to the program, Jesse Royal. Give thanks for being here, brother.
Jesse Royal: Yeah man, give thanks for having InI. It’s definitely a pleasure to here reasoning with the I. You know I mean? All the way in Rhode Island.
Niko: Yes, yes! All the way from Jamaica.
Jesse Royal: Yeah, man!
The Roots: Choir, Bambaata, & Fatis
Niko: Well, I’ve been a long time fan of yours, from the get-go. Pushing your music around here. So you know, it’s a pleasure to sit down here with you. Face to face.
So, let’s start at the beginning. You started your career – your musical experience – working with Fatis Burrell back in the beginning. Can you talk about what that experience was …
Jesse Royal: Yeah, it actually started long before that.
Niko: Ok, tell me more …
Jesse Royal: You know, my Grandmother was a choir director in the church that I used to attend as a little kid. From about 5 years old. So I used to go to choir practice every single Wednesday and Thursday. So on Sunday, I knew the songs. I just wasn’t a part of the choir.
You know, so my introduction to music was definitely from a Gospel perspective. Praise and worship. Which is why to this day, I maintain the spiritual remanence, you know … and make sure that whatever I am doing, it is still fitting for praise and worship, you know?
Niko: Yea, ok.
Jesse Royal: Yea you know like, if you notice my shows, it’s about me – but it’s not all about me. I like to get people involved. Because we are all in this thing together, you know I mean? And, it is bigger than me. I am simply a messenger trying to keep my vessel pure so that the message can flow through InI purely.
Niko: Yeah, man.
Jesse Royal: Dig! So as mi ah say, from this it starts. And then – a lot of people don’t know, but Ziggy Marley’s son, Bambaata Marley, who’s also a very brilliant musician – is my brother from another mother. We’ve been friends since we were 9 years old.
We’ve been making music together since we were 13 years old. You know, we were making music in the living room, you know? Making drum patterns and reason, you know? Recording our music through Pro Tools and ting, with rehearsal microphones, you know? Shure 56A Beta, you know? But um, these were very integral moments in InI life, you know? Long before I even knew who I was.
I’m grateful that the creator had a plan and a purpose for my life, you know? And I try to embrace it as much as I can. And try to be, what I need to be for the universe, you know? Cause once I am as perfect as the sea behind us, or as perfect as the mountains in front of us, or as perfect as the sun – that rises and sets – and the moon that shines …, you know? I was created perfectly, with a divine purpose. You know, so it’s not really about me. It’s about finding my purpose and once we find that purpose and we approach life without a nervous mindset, you’ll be alright!
Niko: Yeah, man.
Jesse Royal: You know?
Niko: Yeah!
Jesse Royal: Yea, so. All of that was leading into me meeting Fatis. But, I can’t talk about Fatis without talking about Remus. You know Remus is Fatis’ son. You know, InI and Remus went to school together – Ardenne – inna high school in Jamaica. Developed a relationship we had um, time apart, but then after we came back together and we started creating music together.
Niko: Yea.
Jesse Royal: And under that vibration, Fatis actually came into the studio and saw what we were doing and was amazed! So that is how the relationship start, you know? But if I have to say anything about Fatis Burrell, I can say is that he is one of my greatest inspirations. He was truly one of my greatest teachers. We refer to him as “The Guru,” because he really showed me what I was before I knew who I was. Ya, understand that?
Niko: Yeah, man.
Jesse Royal: So my love for him stretch deeper than words can say. Fatis have a special place in InI heart, in InI mind in InI soul – ’til the day I die. Rastafari …
Niko: Yeah, I can imagine, man.
Weight on Your Shoulders: Upsetta x Loud City
So ok, let’s move on. Let’s talk about this tune that you have coming out on Upsetta. The big tune, on a big riddim yet to be named (since named Out of Many Riddim) – that we have coming out in a couple of few weeks, month-ish or so …
Jesse Royal: Yea!
Niko: So we got it coming out on the Upsetta Label (with Loud City). We’re super excited to share this riddim and your work with the world …
Jesse Royal: Yea man and Dan is a very good friend of mine, you know?
Niko: From Loud City?
Jesse Royal: Yea man. Seen, w’appen is … really love, I really love the work that Upsetta is putting in. They’ve definitely given a lot of my brothers a big chance, you know? And they produce some great music. So when they reached out, it was like a normal ting, because I, I’m a huge respecter of people who respect people, you know? I really love music and I am forever indebted to music, you know? I love music more than words can say. So whenever you meet people who have that common reasoning when music is concerned, it’s only natural for us to work together, you know?
Niko: Yea.
Jesse Royal: So we came together and definitely held a vibes, you know? And you know it’s real when you don’t have to write it down (laughter).
Niko: Ok, cause that’s actually my next question man, was how you came about the tune. Which is a love tune?
Jesse Royal: Yea!
Niko: Was it the riddim that brought out the lyrics or was it?
Jesse Royal: No, no, no … its life. It’s life! You know, I was going through a situation. A special individual in my life was going through trying times, you know? And is just reassuring her that you’re not alone, you know? Everything will alright. Dry those weeping eyes. Give ME some of that weight on your shoulders.
Niko: Yea.
Jesse Royal: You’re no longer alone. In your heart, I found my home. You know, give me some of that weight on your shoulders. You know, so it’s basically I’m just reassuring a Queen that you have a King, you know … regardless of the ups and downs. I’m here. I’ve pledged to be here and I will be here. No matter what.
Yea, so that was the vibration of the tune. As me ah seh, I would be lying if I said I sat down and wrote the song. The song was truly just a vibration that came to me and we transmitted it through, um … the music and Upsetta really embraced and engulfed and put perspective on the song, you know? So I’m really … grateful to be working with such brilliant producers also.
Niko: Yeah, man. We’re pleased to have you and like I said before, as a fan of yours for a long time, it’s a real honor to have you on the project for sure.
Jesse Royal: Yea man, a wicked thing, man! Straight! Riddim wicked!
Niko: Yea, the riddim wicked!
Jesse Royal: (singing) “Everything will be alright! Dry those weeping eyes! Give me some of that, weight on your shoulders – ah, ah ah!” Wicked, wicked, wicked!
Niko: Yes, yes, yes, yes! Can’t wait for the world to hear that!
Jesse Royal: Yeah, man!
Words of Wisdom from Jesse Royal
Niko: So your works I find to be prolific and your writing very effective and compelling. As a lyricist, would you be able to offer some advice or words of wisdom to young inspiring artists, or anybody?
Jesse Royal: Ah, just be truthful, you know? Embrace your identity. Understand that’s there’s never or there will never be another you. You know what I mean? Your two eyes are so unique. Your two ears are so unique. You know I mean, your mouth is so unique. There’ll never be anybody who says what you say, how you say it. There’ll never be anybody who sees what you see, how you see it. There’ll never be anybody else who hears what you hear, how you hear it.
So embrace that individuality and put it in your art. You know what I mean? Cause that’s what makes art beautiful, the identity. The uniqueness and the creativity implemented in this gift to the world, you know what I mean?
Niko: Yea.
Jesse Royal: And understand also that what you get is not for you. You know what I mean? What you get is to share with the world and that’s the only way it really becomes real.
A seed is worthless in a jar, in your bedroom. But when a seed is in the ground, the potential is limitless. I can only imagine how many people it can feed, you know? How many other trees, will spur from that one tree. How many seeds, that these fruits will bare. That has the potential for other trees that can sustain other individuals and other human beings.
So accept your individuality, embrace it and share it to the world. You know, and understand that you were given a blessing – to share. So it’s not really about trying to be what everybody else is, you know I mean?
Niko: Right!
Jesse Royal: Because sometimes as people, you know, you get caught up in what’s going on right now and you forget that there’s something special in you, you know? Like, even if you find twins they still have …
Niko: … they still have differences, that’s right, man. Yea there’s no doubt.
Jesse Royal: Every single individual that’s here is special in their own way. So find that and share it.
Niko: Yea.
Jesse Royal: Yeah, man.
The Small Axe
Niko: Very good, good advise. I’ve noticed over the years that you use the metaphor Small Axe. Can you talk about what Small Axe means to you and what you’re trying to transmit …
Jesse Royal: Well, it’s not really me calling myself, Small Axe.
Niko: Ok.
Jesse Royal: You know it was a name, that was given to me affectionately by friends and acquaintances and fans, you know?
Niko: Yea.
Jesse Royal: Because of my stature, I guess, you know I mean? I’m not a very tall guy, but I’m very mighty. Very powerful. It’s like the saying, Small Axe; The small ax can cut down the biggest and tallest tree with dedication, persistence, and discipline. There’s no obstacle that is bigger than the individual. You just have to know what you ah fight and how you ah go fight it. So I got the name Small Axe because of who I am.
Inna Jamaica, if you come to Jamaica and see me – me stand up for people, you know what I mean? We live inna love. We do what we should do when we can do it. There’s been many times when I’ve where I’ve put myself on the line to get embarrassed, to get humiliated, to get disrespected. But we always stand for what is right, cause we ah fight the right fight.
Niko: Yeah, man.
Jesse Royal: You can embarrass me physically, but my soul will live forever, you know what I mean? And the message that I’m carrying is not my message. It’s a message that transcends from thousands of years ago. So I’m nothing more than another knot in the rope. You know, another step in the passage of time. Another step on the ladder. You know I mean? Another fruit in the garden and like I’m nothing more than another tree that is here to serve humanity, in this time. This is my time. This is our time. So InI have to utilize it to I best ability, to relay the message that was transmitted to me, to deliver to the people. For InI am nothing. I am a vessel. Seen? I’m a vessel and the only way I am useful is if I am being used by my creator. If I’m being used by my universe. The only way I’m a blessing is if I’m able to bless other people.
You understand that?
Niko: Perfectly.
Jesse Royal: The only way I’m useful is if I’m able to be used. Ah … You understand that?
Niko: Yea, man. Yea, man.
Jesse Royal: So the reality of me is trying to get myself inna perfection with my creator. And that doesn’t mean … cause you, you probably dislike a lot of things I do, but I don’t care about you. See what I’m saying? And that’s nothing personal. Mi just care about the universe and what role I’m supposed to play … in this thing, you know? Cause imagine if the sea was trying to become a volcano. There’d be confusion. Imagine if the sun was trying to be the moon. Imagine if the stars were trying to be the trees. Imagine if the birds were trying to be the lions. Imagine if the lions were trying to be the dogs. Imagine if the fucking … ya understand?? So my main view is to find out who I am, and what is my purpose. Cause when I find that, Babylon get fucked!
Niko: Almost speechless man … (laughter). Beautiful. Perfect!
Jesse Royal: Yeah, man.
Reggae: Dedicated To the Message of Truth
Niko: Let’s talk a little bit more about the role of social movements in politics. Throughout history, world history, music has always played a crucial role in politics and social change. How do you see today’s reggae movement, reggae music …
Jesse Royal: Very, very integral. You see reggae is born out of truth. Yea, reggae is truth music. Reggae’s the only and only genre, that still dedicates its message to the truth. You know what I mean? When you think about it, everybody else is really saying what everybody wants to hear.
Niko: Yea, for real!
Jesse Royal: Reggae music is saying what people NEED to hear. You understand? So reggae music is integral for the world and that’s why we are here and we will be here and reggae music is going to get even bigger and bigger. As the world gets more conscious and more understanding of who they are and where they fit in, reggae music will move closer and closer to the helm of what people view as to understand, education, and literation from a spiritual perspective. Understand? So, I try my best to maintain that heritage.
When you hear Bob Marley say …
“Exodus, all right! Movements of Jah people!
Yeah! Yeah! Oh, yeah!
Open your eyes and look within,
Are you satisfied (with the life you’re living)?
We know where we’re going, uh!
We know where we’re from.
We’re leaving Babylon, ya God
We’re going to our Father’s land.
And there’s an Exodus! Movements of Jah people, yea …”
It feels good, but there’s a message!
Niko: Yeah man, there’s definitely a message.
Jesse Royal: So even when you say …
“Nuh keep nuh square inna your circle.
Dem come from every angle just to hurt you.
Only lions inna my den.
No snake, nor no rat can be my friend … (sings Lion Order) ”
Yea man, message! One thing with reggae music, we’ll never forget the message. For wi affi ensure that we remain that balance in the world that we’re living in. Seen? I guarantee you. I guarantee you, when all of them fade, reggae music ah go stand strong! Watch!
Golden Age and the Reggae Revival
Niko: Yeah, man. Yea, man. I believe that. You think there’s been a change in the old guard and the new guard? And how much, you know … the golden age of reggae and the revival. You think that there’s a difference in how much attention is paid to social issues or do you think it’s exactly the same? Same power, same strength?
Jesse Royal: Ah one inna the same, man. Different situations, different conversations, different people that we’re talking to…different ways of talking to the people we’re talking to. So I give thanks and praise for all of InI elders because I’m walking on the road that they’ve paved. But I understand that there are a lot more tar and a lot more bricks to be laid. So by honoring their work, we ensure that we push it further. So we are one in the same vein. From the tree, without roots and leaves is nothing. So they lay the roots and we are … the fruits. You understand? Yeah man, we stand up on the foundation that they’ve laid. InI’s nothing without Bob Marley. But Bob Marley’s nothing without InI. For if it had ended with Bob Marley, that means the message was not real. So, therefore, we come forward for sure you know this thing is real.
And from this time until that time and forevermore, you shall see lovers of love and lovers of truths and rights rising. Seen? Because the sun is necessary for the earth. See because whether you get up and want to put on suntan lotion or you think the sun is too hot – the sun is fucking necessary. You don’t know what the sun is doing in Norway while you’re in Minnesota. You don’t know what the sun is doing in Hawaii when you’re in Jamaica. But just understand that the sun is doing its job, even if you don’t understand it fully yet it’s doing what it’s supposed to do.
Yea, so InI’s nothing more than a divine creation, that is doing what I’m supposed to do. Seen?
Niko: Seen! Yea man! Alright, a little bit more about the tour. Tell me about the tour. How many dates you guys got. What do you have ahead of you?
Jesse Royal: 27 shows in 35 days.
Niko: Wow!
Jesse Royal: Amazing, you know!? 12,000 miles. You know and we are truly grateful to be able to spread this message across America. And we’ve met some lovely people, lovely fans and it’s nice to really be able to share our energy and our vibrations with so many different people in different territories. Because people need love and people need guidance and people need reminders. You know? So, if I am nothing more than a straw for your drink, I am glad to be that. You understand that? If I am nothing more than wind for your sails, I am glad to be that. If I am nothing more than a piece of board on your ship, I am glad to be that. Whatever I need to be, to be a positive impact in your life, I want to be that.
You know? So we’re grateful fi be able to travel far and wide and spread this message for these people because they also inspire us. Remind us of how necessary it is to stay true. Yea …
Niko: Yea man, tell me … new projects on the horizon. You thinking about a new album?
Jesse Royal: Yea, we’re currently working on the sophomore album. We haven’t developed a name yet. But the first single released was a song called “Lion Order” featuring my brother from another mother, Protege. Yea and it’s been getting a lovely, lovely reception. So we definitely excited about getting this project together and sharing it with the world, you know?
Niko: Yea. How can people get in touch with you if they want to get tour dates, new music?
Jesse Royal: Alright, so you can follow me on Instagram: @JesseRoyal1 that’s the handle for Instagram and Twitter. For Facecrook, you can find me on the Jesse Royal Fan Page. To find out all the updates, where I’ll be at what point in time, JesseRoyalMusic.com.
Stay tuned, we have a lot of things going on and just stay connected! Ya know I mean, stay connected. We really wanna see people, we wanna touch, we wanna talk, we wanna feel vibrations, you know?
I’m really glad to be alive.
Niko: Yeah man, I’m really glad to be alive. I’m glad to be alive in this moment, for sure! It’s been a beautiful moment.
Jesse Royal: Yes, Rasta!
Niko: Give thanks, Jesse!
Jesse Royal: Alright, Rasta. Rasta Guide!
Full Interview Audio
