Interview with Luciano:
Messenjah Production Studios

Luciano: Empress, for my fans out there, I know there is a lot of speculation going on. But they know me, and over the years they have seen me in action. They’ve seen me in concerts. They see I take time out to sign my autographs, they see how I take time to do my interviews. I don't run from my work. I love my work; I love my duty. I take pride in it but I see some people romping and playing with my soul around here. So I have to take a stance now and make note I’n’I a serious Rastaman who has nothing else in mind but to do Jah works, to restore Jah kingdom and move on because I am not here for too long really.

Some men are out of their minds, criticizing and chat chat and run out their mouths. And sometimes you feel like you're wasting time because God has given you the knowledge and you know you don't need this kind of bickering around you. You don't need any news carrying and any propaganda. They used that and tried to destroy Brother Marcus [Garvey]. But to my loving fans out there now, they know my heart, they listen to my words. I've been steadfast in the Father's works. I have not deviated with a song about woman this or woman your body good because I know that already and she knows that, you see what I'm saying? We have to let the people know that they need to serve the Almighty. They need to unite amongst themselves and humanity. They need to stop grudging one another and being envious. So in my own little way, I’m really rebelling against the whole Babylon system here. It's not just the Empress or a Brother who might have faltered or trespassed against I’n’I, because I have also trespassed in my own little way at times. So no one is perfect really. But we know that the sisters out there are farther away from their anciency so you have to preach like Peter and Paul just to get them to really even acknowledge what you are about.

Francesca: For the dates you have previously scheduled to perform, for instance Reggae on the River, you have been practicing and putting together a new band?

Luciano: Yes, we have rehearsal going on inside there right ‘round the clock and putting together a band. The band is called Jahmessenjah. And we have food cooking in the pot. We have some food cooking there and many times I don't eat. We didn't plan for what has happened. I didn't plan it because I am a forgiving person. I forgive those who trespass against me that I know that I might be forgiven. But in my own way I just push forward. I'm not looking backward and these people are willing to work. Mr. Forbes has all the papers ready; all the papers have gone though so we have work already getting through properly. And now we’re just working out the harmonies and making sure we're accustomed with the rhythms and so on and it's just a matter of reforming and I give thanks for that.

Francesca: Will Mikey General be with you?

Luciano: Brother Mikey will be there definitely.

Francesca: Thank you. Is there anything else you would like to say?

Luciano: More or less I just want to say to my people, to my fans out there, that everything is all right. It's just one of those things that happens in families. Every family goes through a little process sometimes. So we’re just stronger for it and push forward nevertheless. God bless, peace and blessings. One Jah, One Aim, One Destiny. This is the Messenger saying ... I Love You.

For the unedited version of this interview, check out http://www.reggae-vibes.com/concert/luciano/luciano.htm

Related articles:

Reasoning with Luciano and Mikey General —Two Years Later by L. Gardner (April 2001)
Interview with Luciano and Mikey General by L. Gardner (March 1999)

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Francesca D'Onofrio resides in Sacramento, California and has been a supporter of Caribbean Music for many years. She has been an organizer and stage manager for the World Music Stage at Sacramento's Heritage Music Festival for the past 6 years and is a freelance writer and photographer. She can be reached at jagypsy@earthlink.net.