Peter Lloyd is a face and voice that Jamaicans have grown up with for nearly 20 years. From numerous films and TV, where he is remains the popular Matthew Robinson on Jamaica’s #1 drama Royal Palm Estate, to radio and theatre, Peter Lloyd is currently enjoying success as a recording and performing artiste. A Rasta and family man, Peter Lloyd’s easy sexy appeal, ranging from teens to seniors, is undeniable. His latest CD, Stories From I Father’s Country, was released on March 11, 2011 on his own Blacklight Records label.
1. When and where did you get started in the actual music business? 1st show/recording?
Started singing in church from age three. I n I grandma put I on the pulpit and from then it became a kind of tradition/ritual…Church of the Open Bible, Washington Blvd. Kingston. Between primary Dunrobin High School and Kingston College, I sang in many festivals, school choirs. I was lead singer in a reggae band called Natural Mystics. I guess music was in I n I blood…It choose I.
2) Who were your early influences?
I listen to everyone from Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye…most of Motown’s’ roster…Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke to early Wailers-Bob, Bunny and Peter, Dennis Brown, Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, Gregory Issacs, Sugar Minott, Maxi Priest, and Frank Sinatra, early Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie. Also, the early Rolling Stones, Eagles, Beatles, all the way through to Guns n Roses. I just love, great melodies, lyrics, and passionate delivery. Beres Hammond became I n I favourite, and still is.
3) What is your current project? Or what do you have planned?
Dropped I n I sophomore album project, Stories From I Father’s Country on March 11, 2011, simultaneously online and in stores on the Blacklight Records. This album is dedicated to the memory of mi father and features I n I twist on every genre of reggae music. It includes hits such as “Gold Digga,” “Wake Dem Up,” “Oh My Darling,” and “Searching.” Great new tracks such as the Paul Lewis produced “Shanty Town” and “Wickedness in High Places,” the new age dancehall track “Style and Figure,” and many more: The Stories From I Father’s Country also features the production skills of the masters, Sly & Robbie, Dean Fraser, and Snowcone. We are currently booking I man first major tour, and staging Peter Lloyd Live again in Kingston. Reprising I roll as Mathew Robinson on the new season of the Blackburns, the hit TV drama on CVM TV, numerous gigs worldwide, and constantly recording. I recently produced mi first stage play, which I also starred in, called “Against His Will”, and sometime later this year, will try mi hand at writing mi first play.
4) Where is your largest fan base located, and why?
Jamaica, the demographic being early teens to late 40s. The princesses appear to give I nuff strength, too. I think Jamaica because I’ve only recently started to do gigs beyond Jamaica, and receive strong airplay (mi single “Searching” achieved the number one chart position on the New York Reggae chart, the South Florida reggae chart, and the Manchester England reggae charts in late 2010.). Teens like mi material and know I from television, and the older folks also know mi from TV. Also I’m clean, no negative lyrics, mi have 2 daughters, and mi is a Rastaman, so mi words must edify the soul n mind. I like experimenting with the genre and most person say I deliver a great live set (I, however, think there’s always room to improve) but I take the compliment for what it is.)
5) What has been your most memorable career moment and why?
That’s a hard one…several and for several reasons. Most recently performing for mi mother at the “Big Show” in Coral Springs, Florida Labour Day weekend 2011, singing for the little princes and princesses in the cancer ward at UWI years ago, and the first time I performed with mi 4-year-old daughter watching at last year’s Boston Jerk Festival in Portland, Jamaica. She loved it and was singing and beaming for the entire week. I mean, the fans screaming and singing is always great, but I n I heart beat having a great time meant the world to I n I.
6) What has been your biggest challenge professionally?
The BS in the biz. Let’s all just make great music and stop the nonsense. Recognize the power of reggae; it’s purity, simplicity, and world-changing potential. I’m confused by the egos and ‘shegos’. It’s music that JAH inspired, and truth be told, on any corner in Jamaica, and now the world, there’s greater talent than all of us in the biz now. We should all—artist, musician, media, engineers, soundmen, disc jocks etc.—be really grateful we found a living that we love and affords us the adulation of our peers. I do not BS, I think it’s ultimately self-destructive and has held back the natural progress of reggae.
7) If you could collaborate with any artist, of any genre, who would it be and why?
Early Wailers, because of the simplicity and spirituality of their lyrics. They spoke about the fears and hopes of generations to come and gave words to the true inner city experience. John Lennon, he took the genius of the Beatles and made it a unifying force for people of the world, simple, poetic and genuine lyrics and melodies. Beres Hammond, a true story teller, brilliant writer, passionate vocalist. Early Sizzla, edifying and uplifting lyrics that called for the unification of all African people, Nadirah X, a Jamaican female rapper and great lyricist. Finally, Jay Z for the fluidity and poetry of his lyrics.
8) If you only had time left to perform one last song, what would it be and why?
“Blood on Your Hands”…I n I original about taking responsibility for our actions. How do people sleep after committing the most horrifying atrocities?
9) If you could change one thing in the reggae music business, what would it be and why?
I’d change the BS so the music will grow, and accomplish what the forefathers had hoped…changing the world positively.
10) Here’s your chance to thank someone who has been instrumental in your career, who would that be and why?
Not one but three persons – I n I mom and dad, because, although they had no overstanding of this career path and they supported I as much as they could. Finally Alice, who was mi right hand and left-brain for seven years.
11) Tell us one thing about yourself that your fans do not know.
Mi love to cook, but really cannot bake to save I n I life! Mi cook meaningful vegan food. No meat roun’ here.
More info on Peter Lloyd at: http://www.reverbnation.com/peterlloyd
About the Author:
M. Peggy Quattro, Reggae Report founder and publisher, celebrates 30 years in the Reggae business in 2011. As head of RRI Media Corp., she manages ReggaeReport.com Reggae Report on Facebook, performs freelance writing, editing and PR, public speaker from a personal reggae perspective on Reggae history, and is a Certified Social Media Strategist and consultant. - Reggae Report/Facebook ReggaeReport.com Blog- www.mpeggyq.com ReggaeReport Twitter [email protected]
