Beres Hammond sends message to youths caught up in violence

Reggae legend Beres Hammond is no stranger to the Bermuda stage and with fond memories in his heart he is looking forward to returning.

Hammond is known for his lovers’ rock, forays into the dancehall arena and socially conscious lyrics which he hopes will send a message to anyone involved in gangs and violence.

The reggae veteran is due to headline a concert in Bermuda as part of the Cup Match Summer Splashmusic festival on July 31. The concert, which kicks off his six week US tour, comes hot off the release of his latest album One Love, One Life. The album is made up of lovers’ rock on the first disk and socially conscious tracks on the second. He will be accompanied by his Harmony House Band for the Cup Match eve concert organized by Veterans in Action and 441 Productions. He will be sharing the stage will be Collie Buddz with New Kingston (and a special guest appearance) and Uzimon.

His last performance in Bermuda was for Culture Shock’s 2008 concert at Somerset Cricket Club and he has performed on the island numerous times from as early as the 70s.

The 57-year old artist spoke from his home in Jamaica to the Bermuda Sun’s Sarah Lagan about how his socially conscious songs have an impact, his time spent in Bermuda, his thoughts on Collie Buddz and how, despite certain rumours, he is still going strong...

Are you looking forward to coming back to Bermuda?

Yes, my anticipation is growing high. I have been to Bermuda on several occasions and I think it is beautiful. It is like family to me. I have managed to develop a bond with a few people who I stay in touch with, for real. I remember St David’s and Devil’s Hole and Hamilton and Somerset and the little bikes you ride around (laughs). I used to ride about on them but not the last few times I came.

Do you know the music of Bermuda’s Collie Buddz who will be sharing the stage with you?

Yeah… I only know one of his songs. ‘Finally the Herb Come Around yeah’ (sings to Come Around). Back when I was in my first group as young man, Zap-Wow, we came to Bermuda. Therhythm on the (Collie Buddz’s) song happens to be my rhythm on Last War – they just loop it. When people do stuff like that and it reaches out to other places, then it’s more love man. Them doing that for me is a wonderful thing. It’s the only one of his songs I really know but, ya man, it’s really good. Much respect.

Tell us about your new album.

One(disk) is lovers’ rock and the other is about social situations, you know. I never necessarily have a concept when it comes to recording I do everything organically. I just go with the vibes, whatever comes to mind.  If you live in Jamaica youwill understand why I sing these songs. Even though they are international, I am taking it from a Jamaican standpoint. It is all about what the day in the life of a Jamaican is in this country. Some people are very nice people then youhave some who are not so nice. There is a lot of violence and gangs.

How do you see your music as helping the situation?

My music influences a lot of people I see it manifest in front of my face. When you go to the dances and listen to the radio people speak about my songs and I know that it is working. Not just with this album but with other projects before with my songs I have always tried to give people a reminder that there are different ways to approach things other than violence. It’s not new to me.

Bearing in mind your socially conscious songs, what would be your message to those in Bermuda involved in gangs?

Speaking as a Jamaican, it never works out — you never win. You always lose you never win from the experiences I have got along the way. In war no one wins so I celebrate life. There is no good in dying.  

I remember there were really nice people in Bermuda and that’s why I don’t want them to break out into this violence. Tell them from me they are too young to start this. I don’t know where it started but I wish it would end.

Will you be playing songs from the new album at the concert?

I’ll be mixing it up as much as I can, you know a little bit of that time and a little bit of what is happening now. Sometimes I just allow the vibes to carry me. I just go with an open mind and with a good spirit and everything follows after that. Feel Good? Ya man, I might play that! I’ll try to do the best I can and once it is organic then it must work.

Are there any highlights from the album?

Not really, I regard all of my songs as my family, like my children so it is hard to pick any out. (Laughs) Every one is special to me. They are all new recordings.

What influences your music?

My records come from people, everyday people. The common people who work hard that’s where I get my inspiration from. They are the ones who are totally responsible for making me a success.

There have been some rumours printed in the media about you being in bad health is there any truth in that?

You choose the right word… rumours (laughs). I don’t pay them any mind. People in the world have different things to their agenda and I don’t know what their agenda is. I know that I have never been really sick but I heard that I am so maybe somebody’s trying to make me sick (laughs).

Staying healthy is all just in the mind, keep your mind clean, you know, and everything just falls in line. There is no big formula but having your mind in the right place. I try and laugh and smile every chance I get.

Can we expect more music from Beres Hammond in the future?

I still have the same passion for what I do as I did when I started so when I get there we are going to show it still works.