This week on People Profile: Suzanne Sultry (Upcoming reggae artist).
World-renowned musicians like Toots Hibbert, Peter Tosh, King Yellowman , Michigan & Smiley, Jimmy Cliff, Alton Ellis and Bob Marley, from Babylon to Zion, they are the international artists who have revolutionized reggae, a musical genre that originated in Jamaica in the 1960s. At that time, the genre took on a more pop-based sound. Over the past several decades, however, reggae music has transformed to include various sub-genres such as rocksteady, roots reggae and steppa. Our list of Reggae Artists includes musicians of various styles and experiences, from Rastafarians to raggamuffins to sapps, to everyday mom, pop and the aspiring youth. The most common variable is that all these “reggae stalwarts have had a starting point. Their early challenges and struggles some of which have been documented suggested that the road to reggae stardom is a rocky one.
This week on People Profile we have as our guest Suzanne Sultry an upcoming reggae artist/singer. Welcome to People Profile Suzanne Sultry.
Suzanne Sultry
Big respect Dr C, thanks for having me.
Dr. C
From as early as the seventies, I remembered listening to reggae music with my older brother Bauldwin from a corner bar when the men would play all sorts of reggae music from a juke box….lol. Reggae music back then was a source of inspiration to me as it provides the platform for comradery, dancing with my friends and singing along with the music. Suzanne could you tell us about the first time you heard reggae. What was your experience like?
Suzanne Sultry
My first time hearing reggae music I was about 4 going 5 yrs. old. Didn’t know the title of the song but as I got older I remembered hearing it over and over. The song was ‘Baltimore” and the experience was what I would call groovy.
Dr. C
Yes, one of my favorite reggae song as well, was it then that you decided to be a reggae artist?
Suzanne Sultry
I decided to do music professionally back about 8 yrs. ago. I started out doing background vocals support for various artists in the genre. I say music because reggae is not the only genre I sing.
Dr. C
Ok…I know that you have done other genre as I have been to quite a few of your performances and must add that I was extremely impressed. It is difficult to understand the business being on the outside Suzanne, and the nature of the industry is directly related to the country or area it is practiced. What is life like for a new reggae artist particularly in South Florida?
Suzanne Sultry
Life as a new artist in Florida has been a bit challenging. Folks tend to want to have you on events and then say to you “this will be great exposure” without telling you that you will not be compensated.
Dr. C
Absolutely….a free performance for exposure if you will? Lol….One would think that that is the nature of the beast. I would suspect that you do a lot of these “free concerts?”
Suzanne Sultry
Yes I do a lot of free concerts with the verbal understanding that these promoters will in turn do good by me with future endeavors. I must admit that sometimes these free concerts provide other opportunities and gave me much needed visibility.
Dr. C
Yes, you must be visible with your talent, everyone needs to hear and see you perform so that they can have an appreciation of what you do. In this regard have you ever performed outside the US?
Suzanne Sultry
Yes I have performed in the countries of Antigua, Canada, Turks and Cacaos, St. Croix.
Dr. C
I was hoping that you would have had the opportunity to perform in Jamaica…lol….that is the foundation. Tell us about your first reggae song/album Suzanne?
Suzanne Sultry
I am hoping to perform in Jamaica real soon, in fact, as early as next year! My first reggae song is called “Stand by you” written and produced by Zemroy Lewis of Zimma Entertainment. The song came about while working in the studio. Zemroy just had me wrote down a few lines of the song for the hook while playing the guitar and whala! A beautiful song was produced…lolol…
Dr. C
I have heard numerous stories of how Legendary Bob Marley was inspired to write several of his music. When will your next song/album be released?
Suzanne Sultry
I did release a single which is a cover version of an old love song done by the lovely Dionne Warrick “I’ll never love this way again”. I am currently compiling songs for a CD which I am working on releasing this fall.
http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reverbnation.com%2Fq%2F5xy0d1&h=pAQFrKk53&s=1 (this is the link to my song)
Dr. C
The Iconic Dionne Warrick. I absolutely love that song and I appreciate the way you integrate the reggae flavor to this master piece, well done Suzanne. What first drew your attention to Reggae?
Suzanne Sultry
Thank you sir, what drew me to reggae is the sound of the drums and bass as well as the groove you feel while in the midst of all that. I guess you could add that it is the cultural testimony of the Jamaica people and the very foundation of our heritage. Also, the reggae beat soothes and relaxes my spirit from as early as I can remember….sort of a stress relief lol.
Dr. C
What was the first Reggae song you can relate to?
Suzanne Sultry
As far as I can remember, the first reggae song I could relate to was “no woman nuh cry” by Hon Robert Nesta Marley.
Dr. C
Which female reggae artist are your influences?
Suzanne Sultry
Several comes to mind, but my all-time role model is the lovely Marcia Griffiths. Marcia is one of the many influences for me while being on this journey. Also I must include the late Cynthia Schloss, Jc Lodge, Annette Brissett, and Nadine Sutherland just to name a few.
Dr. C
I know the Caribbean population is huge in South Florida and so reggae music should have some audience. Tell us Suzanne Sultry, Is Reggae mainstream and is it played on the radio in South Florida?
Suzanne Sultry
Yes reggae is being played mainstream in Fl. Tanto Irie who is currently on WHTQ 105 has a program he calls “Reggae Runnins”. Also John T of WAVS 1170 does the same along with a few more.
Dr. C
Yes, in fact popular stations like HOT 105 and POWER 96 seemed to have included reggae music as a popular music in their program. How has Reggae influencing the North American music culture Suzanne?
Suzanne Sultry
With the support of the reggae music boom in the 1970s, the Rastafari movement has spread worldwide. Reggae as a musical genre has strongly influenced African American popular music in America, especially the genres of jazz and rhythm and blues.
Dr. C
Who is your favorite Reggae Artist?
Suzanne Sultry
My favorite reggae artists are Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, and Dennis Brown. Sorry I don’t have just one…lol..
Dr. C
Where do you think Reggae will be in 10 years’ time in South Florida?
Suzanne Sultry
I think the reggae industry will be highly regulated and the growth of the music will show promise. I also think we will better in that time frame if our country starts to protect its own artist.
Dr. C
I see, do you think there is anything preventing Reggae from flourishing for you and other artists in US?
Suzanne Sultry
Yes, the lack of support without paying for airplay and also not everyone is supportive even the folks who claimed they are with you and then turn a blind eye when it comes down to business. Unfortunately the folks living in Europe and other foreign countries seems to be the ones who really support the genre and the message it brings. It should be bringing our culture and country together instead it’s tearing us apart.
Dr. C
Yes indeed, the support is needed if the music is to survive. Are you affiliated with any band?
Suzanne Sultry
I am affiliated with Code red as well as the progression band.
http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reverbnation.com%2Fq%2F5xy0d1&h=pAQFrKk53&s=1
Dr. C
Suzanne Sultry it was certainly a pleasure speaking with you on People Profile. We wish you all the very best in your career and we hope that very soon you will be back as a guest when you have reached the mountain top..lol. Thanks Suzanne
Suzanne Sultry
Dr.C it was definitely my pleasure to be on People Profile thanks for having me, all the best to you and your team.
