Verse Mega’s take on ganja
Ganja smokers find common ground on April 20, or 4/20 as the day is known globally. Rapper/deejay Verse Mega makes his statement on the controversial plant with 4/19, his latest song.
Born in Trelawny, Verse Mega has lived in Philadelphia since childhood. He believes ganja is less toxic than another addictive substances that have gained popularity with the youth.
“The inspiration behind the record was my unique relationship with marijuana over the years. I’ve never smoked weed but I’ve never been afraid of it, either. I also don’t drink alcohol,” he said. “As a Jamaican kid, weed was never a big deal to me and honestly, I’ve seen way worse behaviour from people who were drunk than people who were high on weed. I also acknowledge the medicinal value of marijuana.”
The track 4/19 is produced by drummer Kirk Bennett, Verse Mega’s cousin. The humorous song hears him rapping to a dancehall beat in a blend of his musical influences.
Those influences include The Wailers, Stephen and Damian Marley, Tarrus Riley, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, The Roots, Kendrick Lamar and Nas.
Some of Verse Mega’s favourite weed anthems are Legalize It by Peter Tosh, Sizzla’s Humble Thought, Brown Sugar by D’Angelo and Busta Rhymes’ Get High Tonight.
Like Thom Bell, the legendary producer known for creating the Philadelphia soul sound of the 1960s and 1970s, Verse Mega moved to the City of Brotherly Love from Jamaica at three years old. The hip hop and rhythm & blues culture has strong bearing on his music, so too his Jamaican heritage.
“It’s beyond important to stay in touch with my Jamaican culture. As much as I love Philly, there’s no place on Earth wey I feel more naturally connected and comfortable than Jamaica,” he said. “When I’m around the city, even hearing a Jamaican accent puts a smile on my face. Our music, our food, our movies, our fashion, is a source of pride. More importantly, it is a source of identity that can’t be removed or replaced. Now I’m doing all I can to pass it on to my son.”
Verse Mega has been recording songs since he was 14. His sole album, Audio Visuals, was released in 2007.
