Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to introduce to you an artist who is making waves with his latest album ‘I Am Reggae’. Tilibop is an emerging artist who has stayed true to his roots and is creating music that speaks to the heart of the Jamaican people. Tilibop, is a rising star from Jamaica who just released his brand-new album ‘I Am Reggae’. In this vibrant 10-track project, Tilibop pays homage to his roots, his people, and his spirit, channeling his frustrations into a powerful statement about ongoing societal issues. With skillful lyricism and captivating musical performances, this album is a must-listen for any fans of the genre.
During our conversation, Tilibop shares his childhood memories in Jamaica’s August Town and how music became an escape from daily struggle. He talks about his mantra of blazing a trail and his strong belief in the power of love, intelligence, and opportunity for prosperity. We also dive into the themes and inspirations behind his latest album, including tracks about injustice, poverty, appropriation, and the true soul of Reggae- unification.
Tilibop’s music is a reflection of his life experiences, and his journey to becoming the artist he is today is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in the streets of Jamaica’s August Town, Tilibop found solace in music, which became his escape from daily struggles. It wasn’t until a stranger overheard him singing to a friend and invited him to a recording session that Tilibop wrote his first song and discovered his true calling. Since then, he has never looked back, and his introspective quality and work ethic have made him the consummate vocalist he is today.
Through this interview, you’ll get to know Tilibop, the artist who eats, drinks, sleeps, and breathes Reggae music. He speaks his own truth in several interludes and interviews, accentuating the themes in his tracks and offering a glimpse into his creative process. Join us as we explore the world of Tilibop and his exciting new album ‘I Am Reggae’.
How would you describe Tilibop to someone who knows nothing about you and your music?
I am a youth from Jamaica originally. I’m from the parish of St. Mary, the rural part of Jamaica where a lot of farming and agriculture takes place. Then I went to live with my grandparents in August Town which is more of an inner city where they would call it the garrison, the ghetto, where people struggle to make ends meet you know? That’s what you hear in my music. The harsh realities of the things we go through as people who do not have what you’d say, the education or the certificate to earn a reasonable living. My music speaks to a lot of that. My music is really geared towards, you know, people who are going through those kinds of struggles because I am from that. People are going through that and trying to rise will listen to my music and get strength from it.
What is one thing you want people to take away from your new album ‘I Am Reggae’?
One of the things I would like them to take away from I AM Reggae is knowledge of self. Knowledge of self is to be proud of who you are. You know? It’ s not where you are right now that defines you. Work on your goal; stand on your purpose so I like people to hear knowledge of self from that, you know, from the album, “I Am Reggae”.
What was the most difficult part of putting this album together?
The most difficult thing when putting this album together was just really figuring out the way in which I could deliver the message to my people in a way in which they would over-stand it and it not be overbearing, to simplify it, you know, so it’s like a lot of thinking and processing that went into it.
What is one thing that you like about reggae music that other genres don’t have that seem important to you?
Each genre has something to offer, but reggae music is a genre that has a message you know? It’s always coming from the heart and the way the reggae music sounds. The sound of it is like the beat of your heart. It’s that one drop you know? So when you listen to it it’s like beating with your heart so its connecting with the with the inner you. So reggae music is really soulful music you know? It’s music that speaks to the people and for the people. I wanted the album to define us, the people’s struggles of the people.
How did you come up with the idea behind this project ‘I Am Reggae’?
Well, I wanted the album to define me you know? This album is my first album so therefore I wanted the album to define me. So, in order for that to happen I have to, you know, speak from the heart; speak about things that concern me so that whole embodiment, you know, is the name “I am reggae”. In a nutshell because I am Jamaican, I do reggae music, and this is a great body of work deserving the title “I Am Reggae”.
How did you come up with your stage name?
Tilibop was a name given to me while I was attending Mona High School. It wasn’t named that I took on to myself to say I was gonna name myself and I didn’t like it at first, but then I gave it a purpose as an acronym. It is spelled TILIBOP, and it stands for “Teaching Is love, Intelligence Breathes Opportunity-Prosperity”.
Do you think reggae music has a role to play in the struggle against injustice and poverty amongst Jamaicans and the Black community as a whole?
Reggae music has an important role to play because it reminds us of the fight and the struggle of what goes on in our community that people normally would turn a blind eye to. Reggae music is music that you can’t keep down. As long as there is struggle and separation there will always be a need for reggae music. Reggae music is peace music. It doesn’t preach violence and negativity. It’s a really positive thing that brings you one with yourself and that harmony. So reggae music is very needed in the world and it caters to the communities that need encouragement and motivation to go on.
What are your thoughts on the current state of injustice andvpoverty amongst Jamaicans and the Black community as a whole as stated in your track “Psalm”?
Yes that’s what it does. It unites people in peace, love, and harmony.
