Saturday 18 April 2009

Should they make a movie about Bob Marley?

I came across this question on numerous occasions ..... Should they make a movie about Bob Marley?

Bob Marley was sent on Earth and his purpose was to prophecy to the people. His life is an example of a man being on journey in search of the truth and he found it by the time he died at the age of 36. He wasn't just one of the artists who entertain, he was a preacher to the youth, he had such a strong message in his music that it is still or even more relevant 29 years after his death. He had a tough time at the early stages of his musical journey, but when the time came, he had the doors open. Bob became a major superstar in his last years, but he grew even bigger threw the years posthumously. It is amazing, especially now, if you look at all these one hit wonders out there who nobody cares about after a few months when their fame starts to fade away. The truth is that Bob Marley has never been trying to be famous, but he finally got there because his destiny was to become a great artist and tell the people of the world the truth. His songs never get too old and the more you listen to them, the more hints you discover. He was real, and I doubt that any actor can play him. His life was well-documented and told in his own words and by people who knew him personally. There is no purpose for an artificially re-created story about him in a movie, as it might be changed for artistic reasons anyway. However, his works need to be continued in reality at this present time in 2009.

Friday 10 April 2009

Lev Prav Zvuk - Russian Reggae Hip Hop Record Label/Studio

So when people ask me about reggae in Russia, and wonder if it really exists there, I just have to mention the legendary studio/record label "Lev Prav Zvuk" - the one and only full circle operation record label specializing in reggae and true hip hop. Every year about 100 artists get established there. At fist a wave of roots reggae emerged in Russia with live bands playing across Russia from Moscow to Novossibirsk, a few years ago a dancehall reggae movement started to develop. Even though there is no support of reggae music from the mainstream media or major record companies there, it stays completely underground and develops in it's own right. "Lev Prav Zvuk" is a one stop point where all Russian reggae artists meet and connect at some point. However, it's also about real hip hop with it's social awareness, lyrical content deeper than Shakespear texts, as well as unity of next generation of musician who don't want to trapped in the "mincing machine" of Russian music business, commercial falseness of people who have nothing to do with music at all. You can choose one or the other, true artists choose to stay on the creative side, relevant, although in the underground of little bars, clubs around Russia. That's what young people there believe in being "true art". I was at "Lev Prav Zvuk" studio around 2005-2006 and it was a great experience.