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Interview: Benaissa
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Interview: Benaissa
"I actually intend to drop a real roots album on JahSolidRock"
Sampler
Dutch singer Benaïssa scores a hit song.
The Netherlands is really coming strong in the reggae market with great singers, labels and producers.
One of the most successful is singer, label owner and producer Benaïssa. His roots are in Surinam and he is part of the JahSolidRock label responsible for acclaimed efforts from Chezidek and Apple Gabriel, both albums were released last year.
Recently he scored a hit single with Yu Faya – a duet with Kenny B – in his home country. It has reached the number one spot and Benaïssa is proud and cheerful over this achievement.
“It feels great to have people really enjoying the song in my home country. I feel embraced by my roots”, tells Benaïssa.
Relate to the lyrics
Benaïssa believes that it’s a combination of things that has made Yu Faya such a hit tune.
“One of the things that I think people can relate to is the lyrics; you can tease each other by singing the hook 'Yu Faya' which means 'you're busted'”, he explains.
He met up with Kenny B on previous shows in Holland and it turned out that he was already working with production crew Not Easy At All, who are partners JahSolidRock.
He didn’t produce the song himself, but it was released on his other label 33 Creations.
“Yu Faya is produced by Joost 'Houston' Jellema, a promising all round music maker from Holland”.
Broad repertoire
Yu Faya isn’t necessarily the type of reggae that I know Benaïssa for. To me he is a roots singer responsible for big tunes such as African Blood and Sodom and Gomorra. Even though he did cut the sun drenched EP Voodoo & Coconut Water in 2008.
Yu Faya is certainly a cross over tune, and it has obviously made an impact on the charts.
“Indeed Yu Faya is kind of a zouk. I feel free to sing on anything that feels right to me. I don't care what it is. But this year I actually intend to drop a real roots album on JahSolidRock”.
New albums
Apart from releasing cross over hits, Benaïssa has plans to release several well produced roots reggae albums on JahSolidRock, with artists such as Zamunda, Lloyd De Meza and veteran singer Earl 16 this year.
“It also looks like I'm going to drop a cross over album in English and Surinamese with my friend Kenny B in 2011”.
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Read comments (2)
| Posted by Murv on 02.25.2011 | |
| I am pretty sure a lot of people where looking for the dubversion of african blood, i found it on the Cultural Vibes Compilation cd on the Jahsolidrock label. | |
| Posted by mazzi on 12.12.2012 | |
| Is it possible to find the lyrics to "yu Faya" somewhere? Please send the link in that case! |
|
Comments actually desactivated due to too much spams
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