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Bramma
Early Success
By Kern Carter
You always hear stories about what it’s like growing up
in parts of Kingston, Jamaica. What was your personal
experience Maxfield Gardens community and how did
that shape you as a person?
My personal experiences... There’s a lot. Just to name a few,
I’ve to escape poverty and make it out. Maxfield is one of the
toughest Garrison in Jamaica. Just to survive out of Maxfield
was an experience within itself. Also I’ve experienced losing
most of my friends to violence and even saw some of them
go to jail. Other experiences back then, my address alone,
made people judge me “because me a ghetto youth” etc. I
definitely think it shaped and molded me into the person
I am now. It made me stronger, made me realize where I’m
coming from and identify where I want to go.
What was it like going straight from school directly into
the dancehall scene? How did you handle the expectations
at such a young age?
Well honestly, it was a conscious decision, when I look at my
life and my surroundings. Firstly, I had to grow up quick; so
immediately after High School it was either music, or being
on the corner. As an only child of my mother, you know what
stems from the corner: either death or jail. I did not want
that for myself, «so I chose music». It was hard as a youth
yes, trying to make links from studio to studio in the streets,
lots of doors closed on me. I knew what I wanted though, so
I just went for it.
How difficult was it getting attention in the Jamaican
dancehall market? Why do you think you were able to
have success outside of Jamaica?
BOSS MAGAZINE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Boss is fortunate to interview Bramma, one of the leading
reggae artists of this generation and the certainly the
next. He’s already accomplished so much in his early career,
and although Bramma is thankful for the present success,
he is even more focused on what he has yet to conquer.
Very difficult because Jamaica has one million and one
dancehall artists and every other person thinks they are the
next big thing. So you know you have to make your thing as
unique as possible and just go hard to stand out. Firstly, I
know my music is real, and I sing for real people. So naturally
they will feel and appreciate it, and it’s different from
the everyday crap you hear on the radio they are calling
dancehall. I mean, a lot of lyrics, plus the catchy melodies,
nothing confusing (laughs).
You’ve said that Bounty Killer was one of your musical
idols growing up. Which one of your peers in the Reggae
scene today do you admire?
I don’t think that I have any peers because I am unique… lol.
But if I have to say someone it has to be Stephen McGregor
or my S-LOCK Team.
How important was it for your career, and for you as
a person, not to take sides when the initial problems
started between Vybz and Bounty and everyone else
involved. Was it difficult to stay neutral?
Well it was never really hard. First and foremost nobody
can program me, I do what I want and I am my own man. At
that time Kartel and I were close friends and I looked up to
Bounty Killer, so if they have beef; I’m a vegetarian. “Rasta
don’t mix up in that.”
Describe the feeling on finally going on tour for the first
time? Did that make you feel like you were solidified as
top Reggae artist?
Yes, it was overwhelming and gratifying to know that I’m
leaving my island and people because another country want
to see me and love my music. It was a good feeling and it
solidified me as an artist, because it boosted my love and
confidence in the music through that appreciation.
What is the next step for Bramma? Where do you hope to
take your career and what message do you want to send
with your music?
I will continue to do this S-LOCK / BIG SHIP thing to the
best of my ability. Which includes playing my part in
representing and promoting the Dancehall/ Reggae genre
to where it needs to be. Look out for lots more videos, tours,
collaborations and also getting my new artists out there:
Krucial, Idus and Diamond. I hope to take my career as far as
it can go, doing my best. And my message is that ‘#Gorillas
run the world lol.’ To all of the people with dreams, you can
be or do whatever you want don’t allow anything or anyone
to discourage you.
WINTER 2013 BOSS MAGAZINE
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