The self-professed 'Messenger of Reggae,' Luciano has a big issue with the current state of Jamaican music, taking aim at younger artistes for what he calls the demise of positive lyrical content within Reggae/Dancehall music.
Speaking with Bermudan newspaper, The Royal Gazette earlier this week, the veteran singer chastised emerging acts for pushing messages of degradation to the public, disrespecting women and their culture in the process.
"These youth nowadays would sing any garbage. They don't weigh their words and that's not right,” Luciano said. “When yuh listen to Dennis Brown and Bob Marley, yuh don't hear these great pioneers cursing and demoralizing women.”
He says this is only part of the ongoing downfall with Jamaican society, proclaiming there is a precipitous decline in morality and standards.
"I can remember watching the movies of yesterday where you could sit and watch with your children because there was no swearing...these movies nowadays have a lot of swear words and it’s disgusting and demoralizing.” he said. “It's not right because it's breaking down the moral standard of our community and family. The very fabric of humanity is at threat right now and it's the same with the music.”
There is hope for Reggae music's future given the emergence of new artistes such as Chronixx and Hempress Sativa while more established young acts like Romain Virgo, Christopher Martin took flight in 2012.
As a result, Luciano remains hopeful that a brighter tomorrow looms for the local music industry.
“There are many great youths so there’s hope and never give up hope,” he said. “What you see happening here is like a little freak storm that will soon pass away.”
Meanwhile, the singer, known for classics like Sweep Over My Soul and It's Me Again Jah will be releasing his 20th album, Deliverance later this year. The album will be unveiled via the U.K.-based Mad Professor label.
"I sing on some of the foundation rhythms and pay homage and respect to some of the great pioneers that have paved the way for I and I." he said. “I have a ministry with the music and that’s what we are about. I love what I’m doing and have really grown into this position that I have and I give thanks because when I was younger I never knew which direction to take.”
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