U-Roy. if anyone could a ever tell me one time seh I could a buy two shirt outta dis business yah, I would a run him

Nearly 35 years after he took deejaying out of the dancehalls and transferred it to vinyl and radio, and eventually laid the foundation for American rap and hip-hop music, U Roy is still as much a part of the youthful vibes of the genre as the current generation.

"It wouldn't be difficult for me to select for these kids now, because as a selector, essentially, you have to know what a gwaan," he explained so simply and logically, there is no doubt that he was not only the original master toaster, but that he still is the most extreme expert of the craft.

"My sound, Stur-Gav is still playing. This week-end we will be in Oracabessa, and from time to time we have engagements abroad. But, although we would play to suit the tastes of the younger generation, my specialty is vocals and versions," he explained.

Vocals and versions: that was the environment in which he sowed the seeds of dancehall music. Vocals which featured the mellow tones of our R&B-influenced singers and versions with rhythms which allowed the deejays space and time to craft and deliver their personal messages.

But despite his liberalism, even U Roy admits that the genre might have shifted a little too far. He hates the women bashing, he sees no reason for gay-battering lyrics, and most of all, he condemns the gun lyrics.

"I am not into some types of things. I doan into this disrespect of women an I doan endorse bigging up the gun ting. I make no individual judgment. I will talk about people and their behaviour in general, but I wouldn't hit at a gay guy personally, because to me 'im free to do what 'im want to do as long as 'im doan try involve me," he commented on the current broiling issue about homophobic dancehall music.

But, he admires deejays like Buju Banton, Sizzla and Capleton who have been feeling the wrath of pro-gay rights groups abroad, like OutRage, who want them banned from the international circuit for promoting gay bashing.

"I admire them because they put me in mind of myself as a youth, growing up. But, I am not as aggressive as them, I am more respectful," he pointed out.

"The music is still going forward," he insisted. "I wouldn't criticise the youth for what they're doing today. All of us were youth at one stage. I doan 'ave nothing against dem, because youth is youth and they will do whatever they think is necessary to uplift themselves. I see them as my co-workers, they are doing what they think is best to earn some money and to me dat betta dan stick up a man wid a gun," he added, "there is no way in the world I could be the man from dem time deh 'til now. Jah seh, I call upon the youth for they are strong."

"But, I would advise them, doan do something you 'ave to turn off when you parents are aroun' and do something that you will still be able to earn from years later on, like me. I still live off my songs from the early years."

U Roy, the 62 year-old veteran who originated in Jones Town, began deejaying sound systems in 1961 and exploded on radio in 1970 with a trio of hits - Wake The Town, Wear You To The Ball and Version Galore - for Duke Reid in 1970, still recalls those early days when he never had the slightest vision of reggae music becoming an international source of income.

"If anyone could a ever tell me one time seh I could a buy two shirt outta dis business yah, I would a run him. I never had the slightest idea that at this time I would be talking to anybody bout my music. I think it would have been forgotten by now," he admitted.

But the truth is that U Roy, the original dancehall deejay star, can never be forgotten.

In fact, his latest album, Rebel Style, was only released last December. Incidentally, it featured a number of singers like Tony Curtis, Thriller U and Lukie D, who weren't even born when his career started. But U Roy believes that adding vocals to the deejay songs improve the melodic quality.

"I love working with singers. It gives the music an upliftment, a lot more life. The singers bring a pep to the music. It was my idea and I find that now even the hip-hop artistes like the idea," he noted.

Although hip-hop and rap are considered value added dancehall, U Roy greatest current support comes from Europe where young people are still stuck on fundamental dancehall. His happy hunting grounds include France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland and, he says, he is still surprised at the large numbers of young people who turn up at his shows.

"Dem no romp fi turn out, man," he joked.

Locally, his next major engagement is on Heineken Star Time's next double which is December 4 in Kingston and December 11 in Mandeville.

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