Nomaddz is celebrating the fourth anniversary of its live concept album The Trod. Why’s it so significant?

The process of recording the album was very special. We were auditioning drummers and I remember I had to give this particular drummer rubbing alcohol and he still couldn’t play so we had to let him go. The live recording of the show was two hours, but we rehearsed for over a month, preparing the material and musical aspect. It was the first time with our own band as well, because usually we did dub poetry with a couple drums.

How has Nomaddz evolved?

Within everyone of the brethren them, we now prize the art of unity because unity is an art and in every art, you have to practise it. We now know that we can agree to disagree, and we have grown from when we thought we needed this big sound behind us, to now [where] it’s just bony us playing and people are receiving it well. Because now people can hear the poetry very clearly, and the music does not overpower anything.

Which musicians inspire you?

I am inspired by the spoken word. I am inspired by my father, Keith Shepherd, a dub poet. I love Tracy Chapman, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Bill Withers, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and the Wailers. I have never, however, studied a particular artist and said I need to hit that note or sound like them.

Your father is a dub poet and actor like yourself. Did you deliberately want to emulate him?

No, actually. I wanted to do law and at other points I was interested in architecture, and wanted to go into the army to do aviation because it was a free education. I had an ephinany in lower sixth form in a math class at Kingston College, and I realised I was always participating in Jamaica Cultural Development Commission productions. I looked within myself and said I was making money from acting projects growing up and was able to pay my way through school when my parents couldn’t. I realised this was a path for me. Daddy is an amazing actor. He did a play called Son Son, and I bought it on the streets of New York a couple years ago. He used to stage live outdoor plays when no one was doing that in the early 1990s. My little brother wrote a script and it’s called my daddy back to the stage, and it’s the first time he’s acting in more than 20 years.

Who’s your favourite actor?

Paul Campbell. I loved him in Country of the One-Eyed God. I love when an actor makes me feel like I am there, and Paul sits down in his roles. He can do anything, he’s a very talented actor.

Any new productions in the pipeline?

Nomaddz is doing a reality series called The Bongos. It’s a look into our lives; we all live together and it shows the business that we do, the interviews we go on and how we make ends meet as entrepreneurs and artists. It’s in production right now; a single camera follows us everywhere. We are currently seeking funding and airtime for the show.

What’s your beverage of choice?

Water.

What cologne are you splashing?

My favourite cologne right now is Tom Ford.

You have a very distinctive sense of style. Do you fancy fashion?

I love fashion. You see, because I’m shaped weird — my hands are long and my waist is high — I look ‘lenky’ so I can hardly find clothes off the shelf, so I tend to design my own clothes. As a youth, I used to doodle in school. Now I design all the Nomaddz clothes. I am inspired by nature and colours and textures.

Share some places in your travel black book.

I love Daegu in South Korea. I love the city vibe as it reminds me of Jamaica ‘s mountainous region. But they don’t build on their mountains as they are keen on protecting their watershed. I love Beijing and Shanghai. I also like Essen in Germany, and I love the subway in New York City. You also realise your country is paradise when you visit all these places.

Share the title of the last book you read.

I just finished Spirituality of Rastafari by Guru Namsingh and I’m now reading A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink; it’s about why right-brainers will rule the world.

Where’s your chill spot?

I love Cable Hut Beach in Bull Bay. We play football there on a Sunday morning and then go over by the Poo Puku Poo shop and eat jelly coconuts and reason about everything. I also love quietude. I’m more productive when I’m alone.

Any new local artistes you’re into?

I love Raging Fyah. They have managed to merge the sound of old roots-reggae with a modern texture. I love Jesse Royal, I love his voice and the fire he’s burning. I also love Protoje because he has managed to carve out an image and sound that is unique to himself.

What is your philosophy?

Never take yourself too seriously.