Peace ya'll, Ganja Baby checking in. Happy New Year's to all! Hope you ALL have a wonderful and fulfilling year and may you reach your every success. Well BLU is at it again. We like the crack man. We are featuring Knotty Dread Fi-Eva in this interview. What you know, what you want to know, what you REALLY want to know and were afraid to ask, and what you don't know…So as usual blaze up, pass di cutchie pon di lef hand side and feast your eyes on another BLU extravaganza.

How did you get your name?
"I gave the sound its name, Knotty Dread. I chose to spell it with a K instead of N to show the strength and power this sound possesses. A knot is firm, secure and can't be broken. Rasta Keith later on added Fi-Eva, because the message we spread thru reggae music will carry on Fi-Evah. The message of LOVE, TRUTHS, & RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Where did you start?
"Knotty Dread is from the beginning of time. Moses, Yeshua, Solomon, etc. these Rasta men were all Knotty Dread; spreading Jah's message thru the Earth. Even King David played chune on his harp to teach the youths and give Jah praises! Straight down the line from Jacob Miller & Bob Marley, to the year 1996 when Fatta Ranks (sound owner/manager) & Ras Marvin Dread (sound owner/selector) manifested Knotty Dread Fi-Evah here in Washington, DC. Marlon Brando is the newest addition to the sound (selector/mc)."

What or who inspired you?
"There are many people that had a great influence on I in the music business. My father for 1 is a selector, so I man grew up around music. I started out rapping, doing demo tapes, and talent shows at the age of 11. Later I soon fell in love with reggae music. I remember going to Delta Force parties many years ago, and I was always fascinated by the energy that the music and selectors gave the people. Fatta Ranks has ALWAYS been in the music business. He used to perform with is late (& GREAT) brother, ALTON BLACK."

Did you play for any other sounds before the creation of your own sound?
"No…Knotty Dread is the 1st and will be the only sound I ever play for." I like that ladies and gentlemen, straight and to the point.

How does playing the music and audience reaction make you feel?
"If I answered this question the way I would like to, people might get tired of reading so, I'll try and get to the point. Honestly, words can't describe the feeling I get when I see people bawlin' forward, beatin' down walls, just full-joying themselves to the fullest. I feed off the crowds energy, and once I reach this level, there is no stopping di I.
This feeling is basically priceless! The biggest pay for the night is knowing that I made someone's day a better one thru music."

Where do you plan on going with Knotty Dread Fi-Eva?
"The sky is the limit for Knotty Dread Fi-Evah. We have just established a record company here in DC called Major Links Records®. Ras-pect Fatta Ranks, Rasta Keith, Elder, Shortman, Natty, and all Rebel X crew. InI mission mission is to take Knotty Dread Fi-Evah across the globe, and to deliver the message that Jah has given us. Knotty Dread Fi-Evah will be a sound recognized across the world.
Name sounds that you respect or like:
" A few sounds that Iman respect are Bass Oddessey (dem make Iman build mi own sound), original Kilamanjaro (when Ricky Trooper was on the sound…nuff respect for his originality) and Mighty Crown for their creativity."

Name some artists that you feel are an asset to the reggae industry and why you feel that way:
"Luciano and Bounty Killer. There are many artists I could have chosen but I decided to pick the main one from the culture aspect and the main one from the dancehall scene. Luciano is self-explanatory! He is the Messenjah. Jah's message is spoken thru his music. His words are very soothing and at the same time powerful. Bounty Killer on the other hand delivers both lyrics with a message, as well as lyrics that everyday people can relate to, being his chunes are about everyday life situations."

How do you feel about the state of dancehall music today?
"Iman feel there needs to be a change in dancehall music today. As far as sounds & selectors… there needs to be some originality. Every sound plays the same as the next. Selectors need to be original and more creative in my opinion. There are many talented artist in the business that just need the proper exposure, and it is sad when a selector has to wait to hear a next selector buss an artist before he decides to voice or play that artist. Knotty Dread is here to make that change. At the same time artist need to have a better relationship w/ soundman, and need to realize that we bring their music to the people."

What is Knotty's message and mission to the fans?
"Iman personal message to the fans is simple. MUSIC is LOVE, and LOVE is JAH. When it hits… you feel no pain! Nothing wrong with Zippin it up, Loggin it on, or Bussin loose!!! At the same time there is a time for everything. Keep Jah inna yu head, and inna yu heart! InI mission is to spread the message of Love, Truth, and Righteousness inna the dancehall. Iman want the people to remember whom mek it possible for them to zip it up, or log on… in the dance! InI's mission is basically to teach the yutes inna dancehall, as well as provide musical full-joyment to the people!"

What are your favorite dubs?
"There is no way I could answer that question because 85% of my dub box consist of my favorite chunes, but here are a few… every chune that we have from Luciano, Jah Cure- Divide & Rule, 3rd World-Knotty Dreadlocks Party, Fatta Ranks favorite dubs are Luciano- Medley, and Prezident Brown- Faith, Rasta Keith's favorite chune is Mikey General's-Unseen Blessings, Marlon Brando's favorite chune is the Bushman Medley."
Where are you and the sound going in the future and what would be your ideal?
"Knotty Dread is Fi-Evah so we ain't going nowhere!! Seriously speaking, big things are in store for Knotty Dread. In the near future we plan to extend the sound to ST. Thomas Jamaica, and also Accra Ghana. Our goal is to take this sound on a worldwide tour."

How are you helping with the upliftment of Rasta and dancehall?
"Someone who has listened to Knotty Dread for the 1st time can quickly establish what kind of sound we are, and the message we bring by just hearing the chunes we play. Our dubplates speak for themselves. Knotty Dread is the MessenJah sound and our message thru our music teaches at the same time gives praises to the Most High. This is what dancehall needs. I feel Knotty Dread uplifts dancehall music as well because we are not just here to preach…but to please people musically."

Have you always wanted to play sound?
"Yes. I used to always say I would build a sound. I was surrounded by music as a youth. So it was just the fullness of time."

What is your personal mission as an MC, DJ, etc…?
"To carry out Jah's message thru our music, and to make sure people full-joy themselves to the fullest whenever they hear Knotty Dread play."

Do you personally believe that dancehall has crossed over?
"Yes I do believe that dancehall music has crossed over to a certain extent."

Do you as a soundman want to see dancehall crossover?
"It can have its good points, because it broadens the variety of people that listen to reggae music. At the same time it can be detrimental because it causes dancehall music to loose it's originality."

In ten years, business wise, where will Knotty Dread Fi-Eva be?
"In 10 years Knotty Dread Fi-Evah will be a force to be reckoned with in the sound business. I for see Knotty Dread as the World Clash Champion…if not sooner. Knotty Dread will be an asset to the reggae music industry whether it be production wise, or sound wise."

Lastly, what do you have to say to ALL the people that try HATE on you and others that are doing positive works in Jah's eyes?
"I would like to say bless-ed love, and more life to all the haters. Anyone who hates I, or this sound hates himself or herself! Truthfully… haffi give thanks for the hater's cause it's them that keep Iman going strong!!! Knotty Dread is here Fi-Evah !!"

Psalm 35:1 Plead I cause O Jah, with them that strike me, fight against them that fight against me.

This has been another Bashment Link Up ® Exclusive

Interviewer: Ganja Baby|BLU January 2002