What are your earliest memories of Kingston?

My fondest and earliest memories are when I was just coming into the business and I used to move from one area to the next to sing on sound systems. I used to be at Payne Avenue, Majestic Gardens, Concerete Jungle, Rema, Tivoli Gardens and sing on General Echo, Tape Tone, Burning Spear, and Stereograph and quite a few other sound systems.

What is the most memorable meal you have enjoyed in Kingston?

There is a restaurant named Tatty’s in Greenwich Farm where we used to go and eat, and even today, I went there to have steamed fish and turn cornmeal.

What would you do if you were the mayor of Kingston for a day?

I would give reggae music a chance to play until daylight. I would play it all day on the radio, on sound systems day through night, until the following morning. I believe it needs more respect in this country. Locking off reggae music at 2:00 am is not a good look.

As a respected reggae artiste, give us your take on the current state of dancehall?

I don’t have a problem with dancehall, my issue is with the lyrics that dancehall portrays. The lyrical content is very weak, they need to look back to the 1980s and be more conscious. Dancehall is too violent and needs help. Everyone needs to refer back to reggae music, it sells around the world and that’s what people want to hear.

With a storied, successful career spanning three decades. What are your proudest moments?

Sharing the stage with Whitney Houston at Wembley Arena in England, and doing collaborations with rappers like Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss.

Which new artistes are you listening to?

I give the thumbs up right now to Chronixx and Tarrus Riley.

Share the title of the last book you read.

The Bible.

What cologne are you splashing?

Bentley.

What was your last major splurge?

I recently bought some land in Spalding, Clarendon.

Share your favourite places in your travel black book.

Geneva, Switzerland; Paris, France; London, England; California in the United States; Rio de Janiero, Brazil; and Tokyo, Japan,

You just launched your latest album Acousticalevy. Are you pleased with the reception it’s getting?

I can see that people were yearning to hear something from Barrington Levy and I am happy with how persons have gravitated towards the new album. I haven’t put out an album for 21 years and it’s very different. I wanted to do a relaxing album and decided to an acoustic version.

Is there an overseas tour in the works to support the album?

I will be making an appearance on the NBC News channel in New York on May 18. I start the promotional tour for the album in the States and then I will touring Europe and Japan.

You’ve bridged the 21 year-gap between putting out albums. What next would you like to accomplish?

Going out and promoting Acousticalevy. I don’t believe in putting out albums every year like some of these people. You need to give people a break. People might say 21 years is a long time, but I’m still relevant.

How would you say to a rookie entering the music business who sought your advice?

Write good songs and not hot-headed lyrics. Do songs that are timeless and you will be good.

What is your life philosophy?

No matter what your status is in life, be humble. Never let someone who is less fortunate than yourself feel bad about themselves.

(PHOTOS: ANTONIO GRAHAM)