Frankie Paul : "I go to pray every Friday"

What brought you here in Belgium ?

I am here to perform for the people.  It has been a while that I haven't been here.  I was sitting back, holding my medz, going back and forth between Gambia and Jamaica.  I finally accepted to do a European tour and to come and satisfy my fans whom I had given a break for a while.  The reaction to the tour is wonderful.  The thing has turned out loud and louder!  I will probably be back for a tour in the summer of 2012.

Your stage performance shows a lot of versatility.  What are the ingredients of your show?

Well I just do it with my own style.  I want to make sure that the people feel the music, sure that they receive more than what they asked for.  I want to fill their hearts with music so that they will talk about it next week, next month, next year…  I enjoy to sing several songs on a same riddim, to freestyle with my own songs and to bring different of my fellow artists to the audience remembrance by singing some of their songs too.  Man like Barrington Levi, Half Pint and others.  Just as if they were present. 

What are your plans for after this tour?

I am going back to The Gambia in West Africa straight after the tour.  I will spend a few months there.

Tell us how did you get there the first time?

Some years ago, one of my friends in London called Broky told me he wanted to take me for a show in Africa in a place called Gambia.  I had wanted to go to Africa for a long time so I just said "Yes".  The first time I went there I was received with great honors, there was a motorcade, news media came to meet me at the airport, red carpet service and thing.  It was wonderful.  I was supposed to stay there two weeks but then extended my stay of two weeks.  When those two weeks were expired, I added another two weeks, making it 4 extra weeks.
I then went back to London and to Jamaica but had in mind that I had to go back to the Smiling Coast as they call it..  I called to Gambia and they said "Come anytime!"  So I went back and got myself a place in The Gambia and there I am.  Fourteen years now!  Going back and forth all the time.

How does your Jamaican family feel about you moving to Africa?

Well, they feel it, but they can't stop it.  I have to be close to them but I also have family and friends in Africa whom I need to be close to.  Because they treat me like a new born baby everytime.  So I am very excited to go back.  And they're excited to see me back too….

We see you wearing the traditional prayer dress, also called the Haftan.  Do you often dress like this?

Well it's occasional.  I wear it sometimes on stage.  But I mostly wear it on Fridays to go to "Juma", the Friday prayers.

So you mean that you converted to Islam?

Yes I did.  That's why I do go and pray every Friday.  As a Jamaican, I was a Christian before, never been into Rastafarianism.  Then later on in Africa, I studied the Muslim religion and got to know good about it.  Then decided to make the change.  It changes a lot in my life : it brings more peace, keeps ma away from certain things and keeps me doing the good.

Another part of your acculturation to African culture are the songs you recorded with local artists…

Yes I did a song with Jaliba Kuyateh, who is Gambia's most famous Kora player and traditional singer.  Later I recorded two songs with Viviane Ndour, the sister-in-law of Youssou Ndour.  One of those songs is called "Lively Up Yourself" and is a cover of Bob Marley.  I also recorded some tracks in Wolof language which I learnt over there and which I can reasonably speak.

Are you planning on recording more songs in the future?

Yes for sure.  I never stop recording songs.  It's very important.  Even though I've recorded so much classical music, I always want to try and do something new.
I have started a new label called Coffee Walk where I want to put out some of my music but also songs from Jamaican and American artists like Sugar Minott, Patrick Andy, and others.

One of the greatest producers with who you worked before passed away last week.  I am talking of Philip Fattis Burrel.  How did you feel about it?

Well, I was shocked, really.  Because I did not even know he was in the hospital.  When someone told me about it, I quickly heard that he was gone.  As so many of our great heroes… I hear that Winston Riley is struggling right now also….

There has been some rumours about you being in bad health condition.  Was that true?

No, not at all.  I'm alive and kicking.  I can still go on a two weeks tour without problems.  Just as long as I keep taking my medication proprely, then I am fit and ready to go!