Jamati: You have shared a stage with Beverly Knight, Alexander O’Neal, Jimmy Cliff, Damage, and Teish O’Day. What was it like to share the stage with such musical heavyweights? Did any of them help improve your style and make it what it is today?

The best thing about doing shows with these people is that I grew up listening to their music so, long before I ever got to share a stage with them, they had influenced my sound. It also felt like all my years of hard work had been somehow validated which gave me a boost in confidence. I spent quite a lot of time hanging out with Beverly which was great because she managed to fill me in on a lot of the ups and downs of the industry which has helped me avoid the many pitfalls.

Jamati: You were part of a group called “Dark Roses” that came out with a song that was popular before embarking on a solo career. What influenced your decision to go solo? Do you prefer performing solo as opposed to being part of a group?

It was amazing being part of a group as we shared so many experiences like performing at the Common Wealth Games celebrations and making a music video. I learned so much about performing and the other guys in the group were inspiring singers so I learned from each of them. We traveled a lot to different shows and when I think back to those days I just remember laughing all the time and having fun.

The group came to a natural end and I must say that though being a solo artist has been a huge challenge, after having so much freedom of expression and direction, it would be very hard to give that up for a group now. I do really miss the group dynamics, especially when I am traveling.

 Jamati: You mentioned that you would like to promote your music in Africa;are there any countries in particular that you would like to target?
Why is promoting your music in Africa important to you?

The main hotspot would have to be Ghana as this is where my Dad’s side of the family is from. It is a dream of mine to get over to Ghana and do some shows. I have already made some steps in this direction as my track ,Food of Love, was on heavy rotation on “Choice FM” and some other stations over there.

I also recently recorded a song called Close to My Roots with the long-time Roc-A-Fella lieutenant, Memphis Bleek. Bleek, who featured on Jay-Z’s debut album, “Reasonable Doubt”, looks to his roots and speaks of the struggles that gave him the strength to rise to the top and I follow through with the same sentiment for the hook and the last verse. The song was recorded for a project put together by Coptic, one of the producers I am currently working with. Ghanaian-born Coptic rose to global success with records produced in the USA with Big, P.Diddy, Snoop Dog, Faith Evans, Bobby Valentino, Trey Songs, Memphis Bleek, Black Rob, Ludacris, G Dep, Ice Cube, and Black Moon to name a few. Some of the highlights of Coptic’s smash hits have included Come to me (Remix) for P.Diddy, Big, and Nicole, as well as the worldwide #1 hit I Need a Girl with P.Diddy and Usher. Coptic still speaks his mother tongue and has his finger firmly on the pulse back home in Africa, the emerging hot bed of talent that gave rise to global African superstar, Akon.  The project will explore the hottest sounds from Mama Africa, set against a backdrop of the biggest joints coming from the top echelon of USA Hip-Hop. The innovative blend of acoustic African sounds and Hip Hop drums will present Hip Hop and R&B royalty from both continents bringing a fresh perspective to records that established African music on the world stage such as Been Such a Long Time Gone, by Hugh Masekela, Fefe Naa Efe, by Fela, and Pata Pata, by Mariam Makeba. Confirmed appearances on the album will come from the unique talents of premiere artists like Memphis Bleek, Black Moon, Smiff N Weston, Dead Prez, r&b artist Rell, and African super stars such as Grammy Award nominated Angélique Kidjo who recently headlined at Live Earth. It will be pioneering Zimbabwe Legit, the first African hip-hop artists to put out a record with a major US label. I am extremely proud to be a part of this project which will surface in 2008 with global distribution and lots of promotion in Africa.

Jamati: Are there any future plans to tour any countries in Africa? If so,where can the fans expect to see you (or what would your fantasy African tour be?)? Do you have any tours planned for the United States?

As I mentioned before Africa is on the top of my list of countries to tour and I am hoping that the African Express will provide a platform for me to do this.

I would also love to come to the USA and have a do my thing. UK artists such as my friend Hill St Soul are doing very well over there and it would be a blessing if I could also enjoy some of that success. As an artist you want to reach as many people with your music as possible. I also have my eye on Japan as there is a huge market for UK soul over there. I am taking it one step at a time and enjoying every step of the way.

Jamati: Sample tracks from your debut solo album “Food of Love” are very well received and there are already clamourings for more of your work. What projects are you working on now?

Well my album is in the final stages of production and that has been my main focus this year. I am working with a few producers, all with something different to bring to the table, so I am really excited about the tracks and can’t wait to get out there and perform them with the band.

Another project I am involved in is an album to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. One of the producers from my album, Wayne Brown has been appointed as the producer for the project. He has brought together a wealth of talent to combine their varying styles and create a commemorative piece of music that will stand the test of time. As well as commemorating the abolition of the slave trade, the album aims to highlight the plight of millions around the world who are still victims of slavery in its modern forms. Some of the UK artists involved include: , Billy Ocean, Ruby Turner, Junior Giscombe, Roachford, Maria Lawson, Janet Kaye, Voices with Soul, Roland Gift and, from the US, Malina Moye and some other very special guests to be announced shortly. Stevie Wonder has been noted as saying he wishes to contribute a track to the project and is in the final stages of production.

Jamati: Those are phenomenal projects. Thank you for agreeing to interview with us and sharing your successes.