Roots Natty Speaks Out Against Terrorism, Puerto Rican Reggae on the Rise

Northern California was blessed in the summer of 2002 with the presence of Roots Natty and the Zioniers. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Roots Natty brought the message of Rastafari to California and the world through their conscious roots music. They were very well received for their initial appearance at the 8th Annual Monterey Bay Reggae Festival. For the next two months, Roots Natty and the Zioniers traveled up and down the coast unleashing conscious their roots music. Highlights of their tour included performances at the Renegade Festival, the Fairfax World Music Festival and the Bend Fall Festival.

"Reggae music is a music of resistance," explains Max Rivera, the guitarist, composer and lead singer of Roots Natty. "This is the message we have to bring here every time. This is what reggae carry." Roots Natty and the Zioniers includes Ibeshee (bass) and Ibednego (vocals and rhythm guitar), both accomplished musicians in their own right. Uzziel Levvi plays keyboards and adds his vocals, as does Cesar Altamirano. Derek Gonzalez accentuates Jorge Luis Cruz on percussion.

Ireggae interviewed Max Rivera just prior to touring California. During this interview, Max discussed being raised in Puerto Rico, and how he moved to Costa Rica in order to escape the island's concrete and pursue his love of surfing. It was there that he was called into the culture of Rastafari. One day, Jah called Roots Natty to bring the message of Rastafari and reggae music to his native island. He returned to Puerto Rico and formed the band Roots Natty in 1995.

Last year, Max traveled to Jamaica to record Roots Natty's debut album "Rasta Resiste (The Living Dread)." During his interview, Max spoke of how he linked up with Errol Brown and Earl "Chinna" Smith for "Rasta Resiste." Recorded at Tuff Gong Recording Studio with some of Jamaica's finest musicians, "Rasta Resiste" weaves the music of Rastafari with a strong message of resistance against oppression.

"I and I rastaman trample the beast and trample the dragon. Fiyah bun pon Babylon and evil forces. Fire pon the dragon. Fire pon the anti-christ. Fire pon 911. A bunch of terrorists around. Terrorizing the people. Who is the terrorist? That is the question I want to ask. This nation (USA) oppress all over the world. Oppresses all races. No more bombs in my back yard. You have to leave my island of Vieque alone. And you have to leave the rest of the world alone. Stop bombing everywhere. Stop it. We don't want no more bombs. We vex with that you know. So we have bring that here. Jah rastafari. The time is now. The time of revelation. This is the message we have to bring here every time. This is what reggae carry. Reggae no carry nothing else."

During this interview, Max Rivera also reflected on the growth of the Rastafari community throughout Puerto Rico. "All around, the island is catching the vibes and people are getting more conscious about what is the message, what is the livity." Max reasoned about their efforts to resist further commercial development of the island. He also talked about the political division caused by the "colonial" status of Puerto Rico and the people's struggles with the United States over military operations on the island of Vieques.

Readers should not hesitate to catch Roots Natty and the Zioniers if and when they come to a town nearby. In the mean time, make sure to pick up a copy of "Rasta Resiste."

Interview: http://www.ireggae.com/sounds/rootsnattyint.ram

Related Links:
Roots Natty Web Site: http://www.rootsnatty.com
Listen to Rasta Resiste: http://www.ireggae.com/sounds/rastaresiste.ram
Listen to Roots Natty's MBRF performance: http://www.ireggae.com/sounds/rootsnattylive.ram