Luciano keeps the message alive

True to his moniker, the ‘Messenjah’, reggae stalwart Luciano continues to deliver powerful and timely nuggets of wisdom between his songs, and his performance at last week’s Reggae Gold Awards was no exception. When asked what keeps him motivated to share his message, the Lord Give Me Strength singer credited his musical upbringing as the source of his inspiration.

“I grew up listening to the works of the great Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh, you name it. Burning Spear, you know, Sugar Minott, Freddie McGregor and the other greats. With such a rich heritage, there’s no way I could have lost my way,” Luciano told The Gleaner.

Reflecting on his lifelong connection to reggae, Luciano explains how music shaped his resilience and fuels the positive messages in his songs. “I stick to the tradition and continue to spread a good vibration. You know, growing up with this music, I never had much – but I had the music as a solace to my heart, and that’s all. We could always lean to the music when we were going to rough times, if we have any challenges or whatever. So, I know the importance of making sure that there’s a message in the music,” he added.

This time around, the veteran singer spread his message alongside the son of fellow reggae great Garnet Silk.

“I get very emotional because you can definitely see and hear and feel that this youth has the DNA of Garnet Silk, and he’s spitting out right now. He’s ready. Over the years, he’s been a little kind of, holding back, a little reserved. But once you get him out of his shell, he’s gonna be a force to reckon with. Look over him, Little Garnet,” Luciano said.

Happy for a platform to share his message and carry Little Garnet with him, Luciano expressed his admiration of the Government’s role in keeping reggae music alive.

“It’s a great feeling to know that our government, especially our minister, took the time to acknowledge the icons who really helped mould Jamaica at tonight’s awards. Take Ken Boothe, for example – a man we grew up listening to over the years. He really helped shape the culture and music into what it is today,” he said.

“Remember, we came here in slavery. So, it was a reggae music that brought us to where we are today. The African diaspora lives on with reggae music,” Luciano added.

kenrick.morgan@gleanerjm.com