Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter
Comical deejay Professor Nuts was one of the first to deejay with comedy and has been cited at the inspiration for a host of other deejays. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
This is the first of a two part interview with musical pioneer and veteran performer Professor Nuts who will make an appearance on Reggae Sunsplash this weekend. The second part will be published on Monday in The Gleaner.
Carl 'Professor Nuts' Wellington has played an integral role in Jamaican music.
If you're not familiar with his songs Inna Di Bus, Tan So Back, Don't, Professor Nuts was one of the first Jamaican artistes who sought to integrate comedy with music.
It's therefore no mystery that most artistes see him as their inspiration and a musical icon. In an interview with The Gleaner, Professor Nuts shares his not-so-smooth journey in music and his ongoing fight to have the industry recognise comedic music.
Who were some of your inspirations?
"In general, life on a whole is an inspiration. To be specific, there would be too many to name out. But as far as some of the people go, there is Josie Whales, Charlie Chaplin and Yellowman. Those are the three main people. Those were like teachers to me when I listened to them."
How did you get started in the business?"
"It was in 1979 when I got inspired by a cassette that I was listening to. I was listening to Nicodemus, Ringo and dem guys. It was after that, that I got inspired to write my own lyrics. The first song I wrote I was patterning one of Nicodemus' songs. Then when I got to know how to write my own songs, I stopped. Then in 1980, I did a show for Barry G in Rockfort and right there and then my confidence start to build up. The reception was great. Then I left for Portmore, where I still am, and I spent some time with the Love Child Disco sound. I spent four years with them, from 1981-1985. Then I left and soon after did my first stage show at the reggae carnival at Cinema 2 in 1985.
What were some of your greatest challenges in music?
"Is just the moving up and down from place to place, especially when you're tired. Sometimes you all have two shows the same night and you have to be taking a plane to go abroad and that sort of thing. But it is something that you have to do, so you just do it. As far as other challenges in music, it wasn't so bad because my music was always accepted, because of the content and I put it in context and I was always dramatic with it."
Why did you decide to embrace comedy in your musical style instead of
hard-core lyrics?
"It's mainly because I see where comedy can get a hold of people faster. People will always love comedy, no matter who they are. Everyone have a little laughing in their blood."
Next Week: Professor Nuts speaks about his place in dancehall, why he only recorded one album and his comeback.
