Ras Vuyo
Ras Vuyo – Diversion | Best Reggae Album
In brief, tell us about your journey to the Awards.
When I heard that Reggae will have a standalone category as genres Iwaited for the entries to open. On hearing that entries are now opened I went to the SAMA/RISA website to read the rules and requirements and then I submitted everything that was required by RISA as per the rules of entry.
Who was important to the process?
Basically I did everything, I read the rules, I phoned and e-mailed RISA to get clarity when I did not fully understand the requirement, I then submitted as per the requirement and once I submitted I followed up with a phone call to confirm if my entry was received and if it met all the entry rules and requirements.
Do you think that the award nomination would change the perception about Reggae, considering there have been Reggae winners in the past?
Yes it will because some people think that there are no South African Reggae bands and artists, I have heard people say that “since the passing of Lucky Dube they have not heard of any other South African Reggae artists”.
How can we make sure that the category stays ‘relevant?’
Artists and bands must keep submitting their albums when the time for submissions has arrived. We must always make sure that we comply with all the submission rules and requirements, and finally we must ensure good quality production.
Why should artists participate in the SAMAs? How can it benefit their careers?
Reggae artists and bands should participate in the SAMA’s to ensure that there is some kind of presence for Reggae music within the South African music industry. It’s creates awareness beyond the traditional Reggae audience that the artist is exists and is here. It also increases opportunities in terms of media coverage which can assist to increase sales and revenue from other sources like YouTube, etc.
Do you agree with the current state of voting or would rather have the public vote for their favourite artist?
I agree with the current state of voting because public voting does not necessarily reflect that the album is of good quality. The current voting is done by industry experts who understand the different production aspects and there is a set objective criterion that is used as standard by the judges. The public might not be objective, they will vote for their favourite artists regardless of the album quality, and then there is a risk that artists will not improve on production quality.
Why should you win the award?
Even though I respect and support all the nominees because they are all very good at what they do, all the songs on my album have live instruments except for the tune called “Brighter Days” where the drums were programmed. Each song on the album is different from the other and the massage is conscious.
What is your favourite track from the Album nominated?
I like the whole album but I will choose Agenda 2063 because it promotes the AU’s 50 year plan for the Unification of the African continent. InI stand for African Unity.
Where to from Here?
Basically I’m a producer and I have a few compilation albums that I must finish working on. I have a compilation album that almost ready to release, I have co-produced it with my Idren Hopeton Hibbert. It’s called Jamaifrica, it features the Meditators, Morgan Heritage, Azania Band, Richie Stevens, Toots Hibbert alongsite Queen Africa, Ras Jabulani (Trevor Hall), etc. And I have more tunes that I have produced featuring local and international artist that I must finish recording, these tunes needs live drums, horns, etc.