Celebrating 40 years since his first single, reggae legend Macka B will be headlining the Devonshire Green main stage, on Sunday July 27, I caught up with the reggae star to discuss his upcoming performance and what the last 4 decades of music means to him.
Tell me about your Fringe at Tramlines set, what can audiences expect from it?
“My music is kind of informative, danceable and energetic at the same time so, a lot of energy, we’re bringing the energy with us. It’s also gonna be educational, nutritional, all those kind of things, it’s a different kind of experience.”
Having performed worldwide in places like Japan, Jamaica and the US- why did you decide to get involved with The Fringe in Sheffield?
“I’ve done it before in 2010, Sheffield has a nice reggae scene and the crowd is always really lively, so we really like playing in Sheffield. When I was asked again, it was a no-brainer.”
Having performed here before, how different do you think it will feel 15 years later?
“In 2010, it wouldn’t have included these newer ones, which are very popular. Some people from then will be there as well, but a lot of new people are listening to Macka B. So, I think the set has evolved even more from 2010, it should be a really good experience for everyone.”
Congratulations on celebrating 40 years since the release of your first single- how does it feel to be celebrating this milestone?
“It doesn’t seem like 40 years. It’s good I can be doing something I love for so long, and people gravitate towards it and it’s still going strong, still getting new fans all over the globe.”
You are known for your conscious lyrics, why is social commentary so important for your music?
“That’s one of the reasons why I came into music in the first place. Music is such a powerful media. I try to always be positive, and I saw music as a great way to make people into more positivity. You can talk to people and it might not get through.
But when you put it into music, even when you put a little humour within it, you break down the defenses -it’s the first step to change in people. I’m always saying ‘If you wanna change the world, first you gotta change yourself’, so that’s why I’m into music, to help to change the world for a better place.”
You went viral in 2017 for your educational raps ‘Medical Mondays’, especially ‘Cucumber’- how does it feel to still get recognition for viral clips years later?
“It’s really good. We didn’t do them to become viral. Health is wealth to me. A lot of people are really unhealthy, and I think there was a need for it. And I think that’s why people gravitate towards it so much.
Reaching children is a great thing, my grandchildren come to me saying that their friends are following me on TikTok. When I go to concerts, there’s little children coming up to me wanting to take pictures, I give thanks, because that’s a great thing.”
For those who have only seen you in these viral clips, how do they translate into a live performance?
“A lot of people who primarily know me from Medical Mondays and things, when they come, they’re amazed at the other sounds as well. The food part is part of the set as well, but the other sounds, they get people singing and dancing, they really enjoy themselves more than they thought they would ever. You have to witness it to appreciate it.”
Tell me about your new single ‘Sitting in the Sun’, released on 30 May
“It’s got good reception, and a lot of people are into it. It’s about a woman who wants to go back to Jamaica. My parents came on the Windrush to work in England. Some worked for many years, but their intention was to return to Jamaica. Because of the cost of living, living is just kind of surviving, so they just yearn for that life where they can just sit on the veranda, sip coconut water with their grandchildren around them.”
Besides Tramlines, what future plans do you have lined up this summer?
We have a lot of shows coming up. In Holland, a festival on the 19 July, Hungary on the 24th, then the 27th is Tramlines, August is a Germany festival. A lot of festivals coming up, all over Europe. It’s a busy summer.
Catch Macka B at The Fringe at Tramlines, where he’ll be performing with The Roots Ragga Band on Sunday 27th July at Devonshire Green’s main stage.
