LUCIANO, the self-proclaimed messenger of reggae, says although the music business is dominated by negatives, he still hopes for a brighter day.

“These youth nowadays would sing any garbage. They don’t weigh their words and that’s not right. When yuh listen to Dennis Brown and Bob Marley, yuh don’t hear these great pioneers cursing and demoralising women,” the reggae singer said during an interview with the website https://www.royalgazette.com. “But I still have hope in reggae and I keep pushing my music.”

The 48-year-old singer warned young artistes to avoid a path to destruction by making what he termed “disgusting and demoralising” music.

“I can remember watching the movies of yesterday where you could sit and watch with your children because there was no swearing. It’s not right because it’s breaking down the moral standard of our community and family. The very fabric of humanity is at threat right now and it’s the same with the music,” Luciano reasoned.

Luciano (real name is Jepther McClymont) rose to prominence with uplifting songs like Lord Give Me Strength, It’s Me Again Jah, Sweep Over My Soul, and The Messenger.

But his reputation as a man of peace took a big hit four years ago when he was charged by police with harbouring a fugitive at his St Andrew home.

In March 2009, that fugitive, Andrew ‘Conqueror’ Senior, shot and injured three policemen during an early morning shoot-out at Luciano’s home.

Senior was killed in the cross fire. Luciano was eventually freed of the charge.

The artiste is currently working on his next album, Deliverance, to be released on the Mad Professor label out of the United Kingdom, this year.

“I have a couple of tracks laid already and this one (album) is a big hit,” he said. “I sing on some of the foundation rhythms and pay homage and respect to some of the great pioneers that have paved the way for I and I.”