Interview with Luciano and Mikey General

Luciano: For me, it's definitely the people. I see some nice scenery that elevates the spiritual growth of I'n'I and I give thanks for the wonderful creation of God. But within God's creation I realize that He has created a reflection of his own self. And when I see people who come out, who share their love, I realize that in the end, it pays to see people coming out to hear what you have to say, to dance to the rhythm and move to the timing.

Some people carry gifts, as for myself I carry my own soul as my gift and whatever small tokens I can bring forward. You do good and good come... whatever love you have found you share it in the world. It's like a bank. You put that money in and it grows with interest and it, in turn, brings forward tenfolds of happiness and blessings. Rastafari!

Mikey General: True, Brother Luci... When we see that people accept the message that we have to offer, it's so good for our souls ... On tour, we sometimes have more time to meditate and to pray. It gives us more strength. As Brother Luci said, the essence of the tour is the people.

LG: Let's talk about collaborations. Luciano, you have worked with many other musicians: Cocoa Tea, Lady G, Louie Culture, Baaba Maal, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Jungle Brothers... Mikey General, have you worked with many other people as well?

MG: I had collaborations with Luciano, Sizzla, Shadowman, and a lot of other DJs. We believe in sharing the work. We're not the only messengers out there. If we can "combinate"---combine and come together---deliver that same message with an extra force and energy, then we agree to do that. We like to stick with people who are on the same wavelength as I'n'I... It's about glorifying Jah; it's not about any self-praise or any self-glorification.

LG: That was my next question. How do you decide who to work with and who not to?

Luciano: I definitely see in I-self as a messenger of the Almighty Jah and going out there in the world to preach and teach the people. I don't see why I should carry in my pocket anything that will cause a damage to my salesmanship or my presentation. For example, you have a good salesman working for "Hardware & Lumber," you expect that when he goes out, he carries things belonging only to "Hardware & Lumber." This is why I say, if you're going out with God's message and word, I don't see how we should allow it to be tampered with... As messengers of the gospel, we cannot afford to support any form of recklessness or profanity amongst ourselves. We really have to encourage brothers who are really dealing with the upliftment and the growth of the people.

MG: Yeah, we cannot be working with people who have a different message from I'n'I. We deal with color variation with people, but they have to be of like mind, because we see the importance of the message.

LG: What is the future for Luciano and for Mikey General? What can we expect next?

Luciano: More action, more love, and more righteousness. Every one of us has a duty upon earth, whether you like it or not... While we are allotted this privileged time upon creation, let us do something good with our lives and not become reckless souls upon earth. Jah bless and protect.

MG: The future holds for I'n'I great things, 'cause we see ourselves continuing this great work. Brother Luci's a soulmate of I'n'I and we have devoted our lives to this. So, sometimes we might go to a show and we might not see the amount of people, but it's not about that. It's about delivering the message. If one soul is saved then we have found worth.

Luciano: Even if it's only two people in the audience, we're going to rock the house. Our duty is to carry love to the people and to carry some action with it, because we don't believe in lackiness. We love the people. I love to go wake them up because them just sitting like some blues busters. [laughs] We have to let them know that it is by singing and giving a wonderful shout out to the Almighty Jah that we really have found redemption for I'n'I soul. If we can inspire them a certain way to just rock and loose up the spirit within them, they can make a better world.

MG: Yeah, because our growth is their growth and their growth is our growth. That's what the future holds for us: continuing our growth through righteousness.

Luciano: The future lies in God's hands. Once we do what we can do best, then we just have to approach whatever we must to the best of I'n'I ability and remember, I'n'I utmost is for His Highness...

So I keep searching. I discover a little thing and I tell the people, "People, the deep breathing is GOOD! Trust me." Because there was one time when I couldn't find hit songs, I couldn't find melodies. [Enormous inhale] And by rising the early morning time, cut-out the slumber and the sleep, I realized that my life has been better. I get a little friskier. I get a little more energetic, a little more inspiration. I find myself living better. I have better thoughts, good melodies, good words. Jah has given I'n'I eloquence, speech and a high level of decorum. I know that God is blessing I'n'I with each breath I take. [Enormous exhale…]

LG: Brothers, you are truly blessed. I look forward to all the music that lies ahead.

Luciano: Thank you very much for taking the time out to reason with I'n'I. Continue to do the good works and make the Almighty light keep shining in thee.

MG: All right! I'm saying peace. My brothers and sisters in the Bay Area, blessed love. Give thanks and praises for the moment.

Special thanks to Paul Banks, Tracy at Maritime Hall, and Corinne for making this interview possible