We have an honor to interview one of the most accomplished reggae figures for our own 2nd anniversary. We talked to the ones who have been contributing for more than 25 years in the Jamaican music scene. The one who has a distinctive signature known as the “Waterhouse Style”, ones who was a part of the supergroup, Black Uhuru. Ones that still spread his charm through his solo work up to now.

Michael Rose, or better known as Mykal Rose, was introduced to reggae music by his friend; Newton, who owns a recording studio in Scarlett Road, Waterhouse, Kingston – Jamaica. They often experimented with an existing song to create a new one. He remembered, they did a song “Woman A Gineal” at that time. Mykal then took part in a talent show around Kingston, and won the award.

“I was discovered by ‘Niney the observer’ (Winston ‘Niney’ Holness) and then you know he took me to the studio and we recorded ‘guess who’s coming to dinner,’ ‘some love between us’, ‘freedom over me,’ ‘clap the barber’ dem songs”

Mykal has also worked with Peter Tosh and recorded with other big figures, such as Lee “Scratch” Perry, Yabby You and Sly Dunbar. In fact, Mykal calls Sly a person who has always been in the Jamaican music movement. Mykal stated that he was the one who encouraged Sly Dunbar to form his own label, Taxi, and Mykal became the first artist to be released by this musical imprint.

When Kultur asked who inspired him to create his music, he answered, it’s Dennis Brown; a singer he greatly respects. According to him, Dennis Brown is one of the best reggae singers with a distinctive style. “Dennis Brown is like the godfather in the business, you know,” he said.

Mykal always works in his private studio to work on his lyrics. He does not have a specific theme, he just writes what he feels. To date, he has at least 20 song books that have not been recorded, he added.

Mykal Rose’s brilliant career started and skyrocketed when he joined the powerful Black Uhuru. He told of his early days with this unit, at that time, they often talked about what they should do, about the music and dreams while they gathered in a football field. Then, they started rehearsing and recording for King Jammy’s 1977 album “Love Crisis”. At that time, Errol “Tarzan” Nelson (The Jayes) joined the band because they needed another permanent singer to team up with Duckie Simpson and Mykal Rose. But Errol was replaced by a female singer, Sandra “Puma” Jones after he decided to go back with The Jayes. Mykal Rose then invited Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare to produce the music for this new formation of Black Uhuru. Sly & Robbie agreed, and started this work alongside King Jammy with the additional works that Mykal had prepared after they wrapped the tour up with Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger.

“We started that old thing with the group and hmm we started the ‘Showcase’ album (1979) which is hmm ‘guess who’s coming to dinner,’ ‘Shine eye gyal,’ ‘abortion’ and general (penitentiary),’ yea and hmm..did very well, we did very well you know.” 

The classic “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” song indeed does have a special charm, so it was made the title of one of Black Uhuru’s LPs in 1983. As the lyricist, Mykal Rose tells about the background of this track. At that time, he had just left his parents’ house to live independently and started growing his dreadlocks. One time, he had dinner with an upper class woman. The father of the woman was shocked to see a dreadlock on the house and said “Oh it’s crazy, no!” before the dinner started. That’s what the story behind the song, Mykal added.

According to Mykal Rose, the song that describes and represents Black Uhuru itself is “Whole World Is Africa”. because according to him, formerly all parts of the world were one part and centered in Africa but over time due to natural phenomena such as melting ice ages and earthquakes causing the earth to be separated. This explanation is also reflected in the name of their group because the word Uhuru means unity or one.

Mykal Rose kept rocking his music with his own solo after he left Black Uhuru. He shared with us that doing solo means more freedom to express any ideas. He also shared that he really would like to collaborate with Sly Dunbar in the future, Slyy is a friend who has a very special and exceptional energy to him.

Recently, before this interview was conducted, Mykal did release “Butter Bread” , a single from “Discern Riddim” which tells us a deep and meaningful message about young people in Jamaica. Mykal explained, he’s happy doing serious music.

“to keep making happy music and music to uplift people who are going through depression and everything. And social issues and it is all about to take people out of poverty. And this kind of thing. the struggling race of this world you. That’s all. That’s what it’s all about”

 When we asked Mykal Rose, what is his favorite among ska, dub and dancehall. He replied, this is a difficult choice because all of these genres he likes. For him, Ska is the authenticity of Jamaica even though at this time ska seems no longer connected to his homeland. Dub, for Mykal, is something that can connect the past and the present. While dancehall is something new that can connect him with the current generation, something he must learn. Mykal Rose also advised the younger generation that everything about music is about making a change and being yourself.

“Share enough irie vibes with the young youth dem where we’re come up inna di industry because people need di better [offer] in life, people want to live up better life and everything we have to hope and pray more youth can come up and make a living!”

A solid and thoughtful message that concludes our interview session with Mykal Rose. Long Live Mykal Rose!

(Reporter: Keyko, Transcribed: Yedi, Edit & Translated: Sam)