Reggae icon Barrington Levy joined KGNU’s Reggae Bloodlines to celebrate 50 years in music and preview his June 5th show at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver. Known as the “Mellow Canary,” Levy discussed his roots, the power of reggae’s positive message, and his love for solo stage shows. He teased the debut of his new single “I Feel”, praised his longtime backing band Detour Posse, and shared updates on his Jamaican radio station, Rose’s FM. His message: reggae uplifts, teaches, and what’s meant for you, no one can take away.
BloodPreshah: We’re excited to have you on the show, reggae Bloodlines today, but we’re also here to talk about the show you got coming up here in Denver.
Barrington Levy: Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes.
BloodPreshah: So what’s going on with that man? Are you on tour? Yep. I’m talking about the upcoming show we got going on in Denver. I wanted to know more about that show and what people can expect when you come here.
Barrington Levy: I’ll be singing myself.
BloodPreshah: Beautiful.
Barrington Levy: And Definitely. That’s what they’re gonna expect. Beautiful. What else can they expect anyway,
BloodPreshah: The mellow canary.
Barrington Levy: That is it.
BloodPreshah: Yeah, man. Why do they call you the Mellow Canary?
Barrington Levy: They just give me the name.
BloodPreshah: Okay. We’re celebrating 50 years of the eyes recordings, and we’re celebrating 50 years of your initial recording. With your cousin, Everton DERs and the Mighty Multitude and the track my Black Girl.
Barrington Levy: Oh, that was my first song.
BloodPreshah: So what can you tell us about that song? Who was your black girl? The Black Rose. Okay. Beautiful. Did you make any other mighty multitude tracks?
Barrington Levy: The group get messed up after that.
BloodPreshah: Why? What happened?
Barrington Levy: We changed. That’s when, after we go solo.
BloodPreshah: Okay. What’s the, the band you are working with?
Barrington Levy: The same band I worked with the last time I’ve been there.
BloodPreshah: Great.
Barrington Levy: Detour Posse.
BloodPreshah: The Detour. Beautiful. That is. Amen.
DJ Soul Rock: That is it. Everyone’s very excited. Yeah. Greetings Barrington. This is, DJ Soul Rock and, you know, I got a, a short little story to say, so. Rock in You rock in, you rock in you. Yes sir. It’s DJ Soul rock. The Roots Rock is what I like to say. And, it’s such an honor to be talking with you today. when I was just a teen man, I was walking down the beach in, in Oceanside. And heard, right past the Jamaican record store. And I was like, what is that? I’d heard some Bob and Peter, Yes sir. See? Oh, that’s what you’re talking about? Oh, yeah, man. And I took my feet inside and was like. What is this you’re talking about Oh, yes sir. And I think it was, 2006. I was a teenager and it just lit my fire for your music.
Barrington Levy: 2006
DJ Soul Rock: Yes, sir. And, so how
Barrington Levy: old are you now?
DJ Soul Rock: Now I’m about 36, so I was just in high school.
Barrington Levy: (singing) last week. It was you was in your teens.
DJ Soul Rock: Yes. And you’ve been the soundtrack to all those years and it’s so great to have you come into Denver. Yeah, I’d love to know. You know, it seems like ever since I was a youth and I would see Barrington Levy playing shows his own stage shows your own stage shows, and, you know, I know a man like you who has millions of followers around the world could just, you know, play festivals, maybe a couple festivals every year and live a good life. But I just love the fact that you play your solo shows. And I was wondering if there’s something about playing your own, you know, stage shows that you prefer over the couple big festivals every year.
Barrington Levy: Do what I have to do,
DJ Soul Rock: I know we appreciate it ’cause we get to hear you for an hour and a half, you know, longer shows and, we get to dance all night to, some amazing Barrington Levy tunes.
Barrington Levy: man.
DJ Soul Rock: Thank you so much.
Barrington Levy: Tell a friend to tell a friend that I’m coming,
BloodPreshah: you’ve been recording and presenting reggae music for 50 years, man.
Barrington Levy: Wow.
BloodPreshah: Yeah. So what do you love about reggae music
Barrington Levy: love, what I love about reggae is that it’s still. Hold its home where message, where the message is concerned, you know?
BloodPreshah: Yes, ma’am.
Barrington Levy: You know, and that don’t stray from what it’s really all about. That’s what I love with reggae.
BloodPreshah: Yeah, man. And what is reggae all about? To Barrington Levy.
Barrington Levy: Reggae is all about teaching people when they, where they’re going wrong, where they’re going, right. And I mean, reggae music is just uplift uplifter, you know, in a positive way.
DJ Soul Rock: Yes, sir. Barrington, you know, something I’ve always loved about your songs is I feel like every song I hear there’s a story and it’s a very personal story and you know, a lot of artists will, talk about the hot thing, what is it about telling stories that you love so much in your songs? I’m thinking about songs like Black Roses or, youth Man or One Foot Jojo. I feel like I’m walking with you in your life. Is that your favorite style of writing and even when you were a youth, you wrote such poetic music?
Barrington Levy: Well, that’s the, I see it’s in the conscious way.
DJ Soul Rock: It’s a soundtrack that, you hear in Denver and Colorado and around the world, so thank you.
Barrington Levy: The world needs. Positivity, bro.
BloodPreshah: Yeah, man.
Barrington Levy: Positive music. Yes. The world needs that I feel.
BloodPreshah: Wow. Okay. So what is for me?
Barrington Levy: Anything Judge. Judge said anything. God said this for you. No one can stop it. no one can take it away. in my Jamaican part.
BloodPreshah: and if it’s yours, A I got it. I got my Patois lesson from the Melo Canary himself straight.
Barrington Levy: Yeah. So what is when you want this hurt, no one can take it. Take it created destiny and that. What is for you? It’s for you, not for me. So what is for you on this Earth? No one can take it because Judge, I created
BloodPreshah: When does the new single, come out?
Barrington Levy: The next two weeks.
BloodPreshah: Okay.
Barrington Levy: Just before the tour.
BloodPreshah: Okay.
BloodPreshah: All right. You hear that? Ladies and gentlemen, the tour is hitting Thursday, June 5th. 8:00 PM in the Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom. Barrington Levy Live and Direct with the Detour Posse and his new single AFI you will make. Its Colorado Debut.
Barrington Levy: Let’s go.
BloodPreshah: We’re looking forward to having you here, man. And you and the detour of Posse. How can people find out more about where you’re gonna be appearing and where can people find out about your shows in the tour that you got coming up?
Barrington Levy: Check out my website.
BloodPreshah: Okay.
Barrington Levy: All the info is there.
DJ Soul Rock: Okay, beautiful. Hey Barrington, can I also ask you, I know you’re a radio broadcaster as well, and have roses, FM could, fm? Yes. Could you share a little bit about how the radio station’s going and, your, your piece in that?
Barrington Levy: the radio station is going on fine. And if anybody really want to, they can also download the app and tune in FM 88.9.
BloodPreshah: Where is Rose’s FM based?
Barrington Levy: It’s in Jamaica.
BloodPreshah: Okay.
DJ Soul Rock: I was tuning in on my way into the station today and some great tunes on there, and I just think that’s amazing that you come from the artist side and from the sharing of the music side and from the live stage show side. And you really feel like you’re complete artists for many years.
Barrington Levy: Yes. But once the Almighty God said, this is yours, this is your destiny, it’s yours, and no one can take it.
BloodPreshah: Hallelujah.
Barrington Levy: I’m telling you brother,
BloodPreshah: We’re really excited to have you here, man. On June 5th, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver.
Barrington Levy: (singing)
DJ Soul Rock: Hey, I’m just so grateful you’re coming, Barrington, and such an honor to talk with you. You know, ever since that day, in California when I was a youth and hearing your voice, it, put me on this lifelong journey, man, so much respect, much love, and thank you so much.
Barrington Levy: Colorado wants me.
