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In the ever-changing music business, veteran reggae artists like Tony Rebel have to be in a constant state of renaissance to remain relevant.
Rebel will step onstage tonight for a free show at the Harbourfront Centre's Island Soul music festival to prove to fans that he can still deliver the same sizzling performances that broke him into the business during the early 1990s.
"The foundation principles of music don't change," Rebel said from Paris. "Once you make a good song, regardless of which era, it will never die. It is always pleasant to the ears."
The 47-year-old is well-known for reggae anthems like "If Jah (Is Standing By My Side)," "Fresh Vegetable" and "Nazarite Vow" and is notable for being one of the few existing Rastafarian cultural deejays that sprung up during the 1990s ragga era. Rebel said he tends to mix some old-school styles with new age beats, to create social-commentary tracks like "Another Bill Again," his complaint about the cost of living which made waves this year in Jamaica.
"As an artist you have to look at what's happening around you so that you can be current," he said. "I use my experience with what I am learning now to sound different."
Rebel last performed in Toronto at Island Soul in 2006 to more than 5,000 people. Dalton Higgins, Harbourfront's music programmer, said Rebel's versatility earned him a second showing. "He's a foundation artist who appeals to a multi-generational audience," Higgins said.
The Star caught up with Rebel while he took a break from shooting a cameo in a video in Paris with Bob Sinclar, a renowned French record producer, remixer and house music DJ. The video also features a vocal performance from reggae artist Queen Ifrica, who is managed by Rebel's own Flames Productions.
In the last decade Rebel has evolved into a multifaceted reggae personality, adding a number of impressive titles to his resume, including producer of, Rebel Salute, one of Jamaica's biggest one night reggae shows, attracting 30,000 patrons annually. Artists performing on the show are mandated to preach a message of peace love and unity to the audience.
Rebel has also been an outspoken advocate for peace in Jamaica's most violent and poverty stricken inner city communities. He is also the president of the UNICEF-sponsored Artists Against AIDS organization, raising awareness about the effects of the deadly disease on the Caribbean. His work earned him the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government in 2002.
As the head of Flames Production he has been busy launching the career of his protegee: up-and-coming reggae talent Queen Ifrica, who has been creating waves as a female reggae artist in the male dominating business. The title track from her debut album "Montego Bay" is making moves on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts.
For all the accolades that come with his name, making hard hitting socially conscious music is what Rebel is most respected for. His last album I Rebel was distributed by upstart label, Island Entertainment. Rebel said although the record didn't do as well as he wanted, it was a another step to gaining full independence for his work.
"You have more control over your work," he said. "You realize sometimes that a lot of these major companies hardly do anything for you."
He said in the last five years the internet has made it easier for Jamaican artists to promote themselves to the global market, via the likes of Facebook and MySpace. Rebel said not being on a major label can still affect the outreach of his work, but it doesn't change the quality that's expected. "I've been doing songs that I think can live up to the standards. What I do is make sure that I change to what is changing." He is currently working on a new album.
Rebel observes a strict exercise regime, disciplined vegetarian diet and doesn't smoke. "The greatest thing you can do is to preserve the gift of health," he said.
Rebel will step onstage tonight for a free show at the Harbourfront Centre's Island Soul music festival to prove to fans that he can still deliver the same sizzling performances that broke him into the business during the early 1990s.
"The foundation principles of music don't change," Rebel said from Paris. "Once you make a good song, regardless of which era, it will never die. It is always pleasant to the ears."
The 47-year-old is well-known for reggae anthems like "If Jah (Is Standing By My Side)," "Fresh Vegetable" and "Nazarite Vow" and is notable for being one of the few existing Rastafarian cultural deejays that sprung up during the 1990s ragga era. Rebel said he tends to mix some old-school styles with new age beats, to create social-commentary tracks like "Another Bill Again," his complaint about the cost of living which made waves this year in Jamaica.
"As an artist you have to look at what's happening around you so that you can be current," he said. "I use my experience with what I am learning now to sound different."
Rebel last performed in Toronto at Island Soul in 2006 to more than 5,000 people. Dalton Higgins, Harbourfront's music programmer, said Rebel's versatility earned him a second showing. "He's a foundation artist who appeals to a multi-generational audience," Higgins said.
The Star caught up with Rebel while he took a break from shooting a cameo in a video in Paris with Bob Sinclar, a renowned French record producer, remixer and house music DJ. The video also features a vocal performance from reggae artist Queen Ifrica, who is managed by Rebel's own Flames Productions.
In the last decade Rebel has evolved into a multifaceted reggae personality, adding a number of impressive titles to his resume, including producer of, Rebel Salute, one of Jamaica's biggest one night reggae shows, attracting 30,000 patrons annually. Artists performing on the show are mandated to preach a message of peace love and unity to the audience.
Rebel has also been an outspoken advocate for peace in Jamaica's most violent and poverty stricken inner city communities. He is also the president of the UNICEF-sponsored Artists Against AIDS organization, raising awareness about the effects of the deadly disease on the Caribbean. His work earned him the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government in 2002.
As the head of Flames Production he has been busy launching the career of his protegee: up-and-coming reggae talent Queen Ifrica, who has been creating waves as a female reggae artist in the male dominating business. The title track from her debut album "Montego Bay" is making moves on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts.
For all the accolades that come with his name, making hard hitting socially conscious music is what Rebel is most respected for. His last album I Rebel was distributed by upstart label, Island Entertainment. Rebel said although the record didn't do as well as he wanted, it was a another step to gaining full independence for his work.
"You have more control over your work," he said. "You realize sometimes that a lot of these major companies hardly do anything for you."
He said in the last five years the internet has made it easier for Jamaican artists to promote themselves to the global market, via the likes of Facebook and MySpace. Rebel said not being on a major label can still affect the outreach of his work, but it doesn't change the quality that's expected. "I've been doing songs that I think can live up to the standards. What I do is make sure that I change to what is changing." He is currently working on a new album.
Rebel observes a strict exercise regime, disciplined vegetarian diet and doesn't smoke. "The greatest thing you can do is to preserve the gift of health," he said.
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Jason Miller: TheStar Staff Reporter
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