All Interviews

Who is Wayne Wonder?

It certainly is a wonder how Wayne Wonder (b. Vonwayne Charles) gets through his day. After more than twelve years as a professional singer, Wonder has risen to the top with one of the sweetest voices in Reggae. He has also co-written some of the biggest dancehall tunes to come out of Jamaica, in addition to starting his own project called Alias (with an offshoot called The Entourage) alongside producer Dave Kelly. His new record label, Singso Records, has the industry buzzing. He has also been instrumental in developing the careers of Baby Cham and Buju Banton. To top it off, Wonder’s new CD titled "Da Vibe," is making waves throughout the community. With all of this activity, it is amazing that he has time to tour with Buju Banton this fall and makes time to charm and praise his fans, conduct interviews and give the impression of having a laid-back and relaxed lifestyle.

Born in Eastern Jamaica, Wonder moved to Kingston at a young age. He loved to sing at home for his parents and eventually became a part of the youth church choir. In 1985, Wonder was introduced to dubmaster King Tubby, who helped him make an original track called "Long and Lasting Love." Soon after, Tubby passed away which devastated Wonder who had looked to him for inspiration. After recording a few more original tunes, Wonder met up with his elementary school buddy, Dave Kelly, who was an engineer at Penthouse Records.

In 1991, Wonder introduced his friend Buju Banton to dancehall. Wonder co-wrote Buju’s world-famous hit "Murderer" as well as "Deportee" and "Boom Bye Bye." The two of them shared the mic on many tunes, including "Bonafide Love (Movie Star)," which perfected the singer/DJ sound. But Buju signed to the U.S.-based Mercury label, while Wonder was left to fend for himself. It was at this time that Wonder started the Alias recording project, where popular dancehall artists created alias names to disguise their true identities so they could reap the benefits of flexibility and anonymity with their music.

Wonder has also started up his own label called Singso Records which showcases Mr. Easy’s track, "On the Run," and Wonder’s own "Snitches and Spies," on which he played all of the instruments, sang all the vocals and did the arranging. Singso’s first riddim, "Ambush," is making its mark in the dancehall.

I first heard Wayne Wonder’s music on a Renaissance Sound System cassette that had sampled his tunes "Keep Forgetting" and "Let Your Conscious Set You Free," which made a lasting impression on me. When I heard he was going to perform alongside Buju Banton at the Monterey Reggae Festival (Labor Day weekend 2000) to promote his new album, I was eager to see him live.

Withdrawn and quiet backstage, Wonder gave the impression of being a loner–aloof and solitary. When I met him a few days later (September 5, 2000) for our interview at the KPFA studios in Berkeley, CA, he was reserved. Once we started talking though, he warmed up to me and I got a few laughs and smiles. I told him of my first impression and he said, "You don’t haffi worry about that, man. That is how I get my name, ‘cause I WONDER and nobody can figure it out."

As we were talking, his charm and charisma reaffirmed that he is proud of the work he does, and that Wayne Wonder’s time is now. And of course he wouldn’t let me forget his mantra: it’s all about the music.

Laura Gardner: When did you first know you could sing?

Wayne Wonder: [laughs] Well, my first experience was at about three years old. I used to sing for my mom and entertain the whole family.

LG: And people said, "Wow! That boy can sing!"

WW: Yeah, yeah, you know? And from there I sang in the kiddie’s choir in church.

LG: So when did you first go into the studio?

WW: My first time in the studio was in ’85 but I didn’t actually record in ’85. I started recording the right way in the late part of ‘87-’88.

LG: Did you grow up in the country or in the city in Jamaica? What do you think the differences are?

WW: I actually grew up in the city. I was born in Portland (in the country), but I was brought to the city ever since I knew myself at a tender age [laughs]. In any city it’s more fast-going, more ethnic, more clustered, while in the country there’s more relaxation and you can get a good meditation. I think in the country you grow up even better too, but what am I to do? I’m just moving with my parents [laughs].