Exclusive: We interviewed Akila, musician and son of Carlton Barrett, the Wailers' drummer! Check it out!

Errol Barrett, or Akila Barrett as he is better known, is a great singer, musician and songwriter of the new generation who literally has Reggae in his blood, being the son of the greatest drummer of all time in Jamaican music - Carlton Barrett, who played with Bob Marley & The Wailers. Carlton was murdered in 1987, but left all his talent in his son. Learn a little more about Akila in this exclusive interview granted to Surforeggae.

A ENTREVISTA

 Rafael: Greetings, Akila. First, thank you for the opportunity. As usual in my interviews, I always begin by asking the artist to speak a little about the beginning. How did your interest in music arise? Akila: I remember music since I was little, when I heard it on my grandmother's radio. Besides that, my mother had very good LPs (vinyl), which I was always listening to. Another fact that influenced me was my father always taking me to the recording studio with him. That was how I learned what music was and became interested in it. Rafael: What do you expect from this new generation of artists? Akila: I really hope they sing and write songs that come from the heart. And that they learn everything the veteran artists left before us. Rafael: As the son of the great drummer Carlton Barrett, what were the most important lessons you learned from him and from his friends? Akila: One extremely important thing I learned was to respect music and not be a fake person. Rafael: Do you maintain any friendly relationship with the Marley Family? Akila: No! Rafael: If you were not a musician, what would you be? Akila: I would be a doctor. Rafael: What do you think about Aston ’Familyman’ Barrett's (your uncle's) legal fight over the copyrights to the songs he and your father participated in during the Wailers era with Bob Marley? Akila: I think the judge was bribed, and that is why we lost the case. Rafael: Tell us a little about the experience of having been the singer of The Wailers for a time. Akila: I only sang Bob Marley songs... for me it was ok... (speaking as if he felt that today's Wailers lack new songs, and not just doing Bob covers). Rafael: What are you preparing for us? We know you have been in Argentina working on your next album. Akila: I am working on two new albums, one of roots reggae and the other Rhythm & Blues, Funk, Pop, Rock, Soul... Rafael: What does your first album represent for your career? Akila: It shows the world that I was blessed with the gift of music, not only as a singer, but as a producer, arranger, songwriter and musician. Rafael: How do you define your style of Reggae? Akila: Without a doubt, roots reggae. Rafael: Do you have any opinion about the wave of ragga and dancehall that invaded Jamaica? Akila: For me it is a new generation of musicians, and as with everything, some are good, others bad. Rafael: What do you think about the racist and anti-homosexual lyrics proclaimed by some Jamaican artists? Akila: I am not here to judge anyone. I do what is right from God's point of view. Rafael: Do you think Reggae is losing its roots? Akila: Yes, indeed! Rafael: Tell us a little about the experience of meeting Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil. He did an interview with you about the ’one drop’ style (drumming style invented by your father - Carlton Barret). Do you intend to record with other artists? Whether Brazilian, Jamaican, or any other? Akila: Gilberto Gil has always been a great friend of my father, my uncle (Aston Barret) and me. I think he is the best living Brazilian artist today. I do wish one day to record with several Brazilian musicians, yes. Rafael: How do you define the importance of Rastafari in your life? Akila: Rastafari is a way of living, the way we need to live... naturally and respecting nature. Rafael: We know that you play several instruments. Where did you learn? Akila: I taught myself to play the instruments. First I learned to play drums, and at the time when I felt Jamaican music was being spoken of badly, I decided to try to make a change by bringing it back to its roots. Rafael: Tell us about your favorite musicians. Akila: I really like Steel Pulse and Luciano. I feel true music in their sound. And when I feel music, I love it. Rafael: What do you think about the Reggae x Ganja relationship? Akila: To make good reggae, we need it. It helps us meditate better. But what is important to remember is that we use it as a spiritual herb, and not for other purposes. Rafael: Do you know Brazilian bands? Which ones? Akila: I know many, but I am not very good at remembering names (laughs) Rafael: Your musical abilities are unquestionable. But do you feel you have a weak point that needs correcting? Which one? Akila: Yes, my voice can improve. Rafael: Your first album is very popular among the public that goes deeper into Reggae, but not among the great majority, made up of people who do not go so deep. What do you think is needed to take your work to more fans? Do you agree that the media can sometimes be more significant than the artist's work and abilities? Why do you think great musicians like you are not in the mass media? Akila: Yes, the media is very powerful. We are living in a time when money literally talks, so if we are not working together with a major label, it becomes more difficult. Reggae is the heartbeat of the people. Rafael: What have you been listening to lately? Akila: I really like Bossa Nova, Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Disco, Soul, World Music... Rafael: What do you think about other drummers playing at times in a style very similar to your father's, such as Mikey ’Boo’ Richards and Balengola Richacha? Akila: What is good is mirrored. Revista ’Baterista Moderno’ elected Carlton Barret the best drummer in the world. As other examples of this, I can mention singer Prince, who used samples of my father in the song ’Blue Light’, and the drummer of The Police, who recorded my father playing and says he learned from him. Rafael: Tell us a little about your family, the place where you grew up and the friends you cultivated. AkilA: It is quite a lot to say. I will write a book about my life, and I hope my fans like it. Surprise. Rafael: Akila, thank you very much for the interview. Send a message to Surforeggae visitors and to everyone who respects your work. Akila: I want to tell Surforeggae visitors to stay strong because Jah lives forever. Reggae will lead everyone on the path to Zion.

MULTIMÍDIA

Click here and watch Akila Barrett with the video "Changing People".