DJ Carter finds his roots in Seaview

Simone Morgan

Friday, February 10, 2012

Carter Hakala, popularly known on the entertainment scene as DJ Carter, says he has been listening reggae music since he was a teenager.

"I fell in love with the music from the day I stole my mother's Bob Marley Catch A Fire album then I took a trip to Jamaica and that added even more to my passion for music," the Massachusetts-born Carter told Splash.

It should be no surprise that as DJ Carter he has returned to Jamaica not only work with local talent but to build a recording studio with the hope of reviving' roots-reggae music which was at the peak of its popularity in the 1970s.

"I'm all about reggae music and not the negative message that is being promoted in some of the hardcore dancehall lyrics," he said. "These artistes fail to realise that they are mentors to the younger generation and children tend to follow what they preach," he continued.

"There are so much people living in poverty worldwide and how can we break them from their negative spirit if all we do is to produce songs that promote violence and sex."

Carter, who calls the Kingston neighbourhood of Seaview Gardens home when he is in Jamaica, is working on several songs for his Roaring River label, including the Dread A Life and Police and Thieves 'riddims' with roots acts Jahvictory, Lutan Fyah, Prophecy and Mark Wonder.

"My aim is really to bring back roots-reggae to Jamaica as I do believe that type of music is slowly dying, (but) it is widely accepted in the United States and other countries," he stated. "Some Jamaicans really aren't appreciative of the treasure (reggae music) that they have."

DJ Carter comes the New England region of the United States which has a strong roots-reggae and ska following. Some of the biggest acts in roots-reggae tour States like Massachusetts, Vermont and Rhode Island annually.

He is the latest foreigner to invest in a recording studio in Jamaica. Singer Cali P of Guadeloupe is also building one with the backing of American skiing champion Tanner Hall.

The biggest of these studios is the Gee Street complex in Port Antonio, owned by Briton Jon Baker. He opened the facility little over a decade ago and it has attracted Grammy-winning artistes Alicia Keys and No Doubt.