EXCLUSIVE: Read Surforeggae's interview with Roots Nyabinghi, one of the highlights of the Bahia scene!

With more than 10 years on the road and a lot of struggle, the band Roots Nyabinghi, from Salvador/BA, is today one of the highlights on the Bahian scene, performing many performances in the capital and interior. Having already followed names like the Jamaican Siddy Ranks, "Roots" gave this exclusive interview to Surforeggae where she talks about very current issues and about the band itself and its formation. For those who don't know yet, it's a good opportunity to find out more about the group that is one of the favorites in the capital of Bahia.

THE INTERVIEW

 Rafael: I would like you to talk about what it was like when you met to form the band. How did the band Roots Nyabinghi come about? Ely: It all started with me and 2 friends, our keyboardist Dentinho and Elsimar who participates in the compositions with me. We had ideas to get together after seeing videos from Bob Marley and other reggae groups. In 1995 we set up Leões de Judah, which was the group's first name. As time passed, we saved some money and started buying instruments and sound. We set up “QG da Roots” in a room at the end of an alley, that's when my father, “Seu Nanau”, was motivated by seeing our work and decided to provide a garage. We started to love the thing and stayed, until today he gave us a house and we are there fighting to assert all the credibility that not only him but everyone puts in our band. Today Roots Nyabinghi is formed by: Ely Jr. (Voice and guitar), André, Igor Rufous, André Dentinho (keyboard) and Gustavo (guitar), Rafael: How do you define the type of Reggae you make? Ely: A diverse sound without labeling the rhythm, reggae is a genre made up of many inspirations so Roots formed its identity with the knowledge acquired on the subject, and the purpose is to entertain, inform and above all take reggae music wherever it goes. Rafael: What are the main influences of International Reggae that you currently look up to? Ely: Morgan heritege, Buju Banton, Luciano, Damian Marley and the brothers... We believe that these artists are the greatest reference you can have at this moment because they make the evolution of reggae, they put reggae on the world stage with quality. Rafael: What do you think about the movement in Bahia? Which cities have seen the strongest audiences they've ever been to? Ely: Look... Maragojipe, São Miguel das Matas, all of Recôncavo, Pojuca, Juazeiro among other cities where we have had the opportunity to play the strength of reggae is surprising. People sing and dance with passion, they really identify with "pegada". Talking about a movement in relation to Bahia is complicated, because there is still no formed concept about what they want to seek in this sense, the bands do their work, form their audience and continue in this direction seeking to grow, which is important, to have support and recognition, a movement needs more external factors added to this, such as associations, media, resources and constant activities, whether political, social or musical. Rafael: How is your relationship with other bands of the genre? Do you have good friends in the music scene?Ely: Certainly, maintaining a good relationship is important, we do not seek differences nor are we jealous of anyone, we have our goal, we know our path, we always seek to aggregate in this sense because the market is big and everyone can have their share. And we don't just have friends in the reggae sphere, but in all segments of Bahian music, in rock, axé, hip hop... Rafael: What was it like following Jamaica at Siddy Ranks as a support band? Tell us a little about what it's like to work with him. Ely: Look... he's an amazing guy, very calm, cheerful and identified with the band, I think that's why everything went well, his compositions are great and the public knows and responds to the songs we call "reggae lovers", in addition to having a unique and striking voice, it was an excellent experience following him. Rafael: What do you think is missing for Reggae to take off at Brasil? Do you agree that we are going through a difficult time, where people are no longer as supportive of the movement as they used to be? Ely: Lack of resources, this defines everything that any organization needs to grow, loving attention from the media, consistent sponsorships so that organizers have more credibility and a series of factors that require organization and a lot of work, but that doesn't mean we think reggae is standing still or falling, quite the contrary, it gets stronger every day, many more fans arrive and on the other hand, who doesn't know reggae music? I believe it is the only genre that everyone listens to and likes, even if they follow another genre, so reggae is it, we just need more events to happen, "movimento". Rafael: How did you choose the band name? What does this name symbolize for you? Ely: This choice came kind of from the need for change because there was another group with the old name, and "roots" represents everything that is strong in reggae (its roots), and nyabinghi completes this combination by providing the basis that formed this passionate essence that we all truly love. Rafael: Tell us about your biggest career achievements to date. Ely: Firstly, identity, the band has its own face, from everything it knew and heard, it was formed. The compositions, the joy of playing reggae, the recognition of people, the friends made through music, the shows, the records... is there anything better? laughs Rafael: What are you preparing for the future? Any new albums on the horizon? Ely: Yes, there is an album ready that was recorded here in Salvador but it is being mastered and mixed at Itália through one of the band's former guitarists, André Lomi, who lives in the city of Livorno. We also want to record a DVD, seek more recognition and do more shows. Rafael: Lately there have been great collaborations with Reggae artists. Do you think about recording any songs with other names from Brasil or International?Ely: It is certainly a contribution and a satisfaction to form partnerships, with us it already happened on the first album we recorded, Nengo Viera is present, one of the icons of national reggae and also Book Jones which is one of the precursors of axé in Bahia, we are always ready to add. Rafael: What do you believe can be done to make Reggae reach more people? Despite being popular all over the world, the rhythm is still very discriminated against. Ely: Look, discrimination is a human characteristic, someone always discriminates against something, but reggae has the power to change people, captivate and make them understand that it is music that came for the good, relating reggae to negative things is nothing more than mediocrity. What must be done for reggae to maintain itself is, as I said, organize, create and do... show the work to the people, our language is one of peace, joy and fun, so we are ready for that, it just depends on us. Rafael: Do you think that the roots of Reggae are being lost over time? What do you think of trends like ragga and dancehall? Ely: These are fantastic rhythms, reggae doesn't lose its roots, its base because of this and we also don't need artists doing the same things, they are just aspects of reggae that are created because the rhythm is big and rich. Diversity is natural, but everything is in a context, from our perspective it is evolutionary and aggregating, artists continue recording "roots" songs but there is a market around all of this and we have to respond to trends. The important thing is to talk about reggae and give the public what they expect, things are renewed and with reggae it will be no different. Rafael: Thank you for the interview, we at Surforeggae wish you lots of luck and success, as you represent a band that has been fighting for a long time. Please leave a message for site visitors. Ely: We sincerely thank you, Surforeggae is an important piece for us regueiros and our message to reggae lovers is to continue supporting and attending the bands' shows because without you none of this is possible. We hope you find a lot of joy, fun and excitement on this journey because reggae is our identity and it will be with us for eternity, a hug to all "soldados da paz", jah bless.