He has a voice like no other; in fact, he got his name from the world famous tenor Luciano Pavorotti. And while Luciano might not have the fan following of a Buju Banton or a Sizzla, he is still ranked up there with legends Bob Marley and Dennis Brown for lyrical intensity and the power of his message. And the 'Messenga', as he calls himself, is in Belize for a concert Saturday night and only 7NEWS was at the airport as Luciano arrived with his 18-member band.
Keith SwiftReporting,
When the plane touched down it wasn't in Africa and he'll only be here for 3 nights but Luciano says he's happy to be in Belize.
Luciano, Reggae Artist
"Its good to be here in Belize. I feel very excited and honored to represent my art, music, out of Jamaica."
[Singing] "First time in Belize, come out in your tens and thousands please."
The reggae crooner brings a message of pregnant hope, personal empowerment, and spiritual upliftment. It's important work for a man who calls himself the 'messenga' and a general in, as the hat says, the 'Jah Army.'
Luciano,
"Our mission really is to recruit people in Jah army you know, to get them to see life from a more spiritual perspective and to approach life from a more spiritual manner. Music is a key means and a medium through which we can communicate with the people physically, spiritually, and from their soul we can get a direct connection. So this represents the mission like how a captain would wear a suit and the pilot on the plane or even any other serious group manifesting up on this earth, we also have a serious approach to our mission as musicians."
Keith Swift,
You call yourself the messenga, which carries a lot of responsibility. Why do you call yourself that?
Luciano,
"I think the greatest responsibility of a messenger is to make sure that it is delivered and that's not too much of God to ask of us to deliver a message. In this age we see so many different things happening that can distract the youths and the young generations coming up. I see myself as a messenger sent to this earth to strengthen the people and to warn mankind and to inspire them into a higher level of spiritual living, to communicate where there has been a distraction or a deviation or division or segregation to bring love and unity amongst humanity."
Keith Swift,
_Glad you brought up that point because while you sing reggae music, your music is not just about personal upliftment of Rastafarians but of all people."
Luciano,
"Of all people. We try to dedicate some songs to different areas and especially in social commentaries we touch on topics which that are more prevalent in the minds of the people. But we are definitely geared for everyone; humanity in general. Mankind whether you are black, white, Indian, Rasta, baldhead, Christian, Muslim, whatever denomination, whatever class or creed its one word and one message of peace and love and unity."
And if you are wondering why Luciano rhymes conscious thoughts instead of about the sex, girls and hydro we normally hear of in reggae music. Well he concedes those debased values may be what reggae music is about right now, but it shouldn't be. He called on a familiar face and voice to Belizeans, Sizzla, to help bring back a universal message to the music.
Luciano,
"I think Sizzla could be considered as a culture artist too if it wasn't for his involvement in too much of a secular lyrics since of recently. Since recently we have seen a little change in the brother but I think he could be considered as a culture artist too and there's not much of a line between he and I. I think the problem with me lies with the youngsters in general who have gone so far and they've deviated so far from the tradition to be demoralizing the women of society and demoralizing the very message in the music. So I would just want to encourage a brother like Sizzla to straighten up, he has been in a little way bending from the traditional pathway because he is very prolific, very talented, and a very gifted young man. We can only pray that he will straighten up before its too late."
Keith Swift,
What's the lesson in your success? We know that you tried singing once and it didn't work out so then you had to back to selling furniture and then you tried again. What do you think young people can learn from your experience?
Luciano,
"I think there is a lot they can learn and its that in life you don't just give up. You may try and you may not succeed the first attempt but try and try again. You never stop trying until you've achieved your goal. All the time as a young youth I couldn't just sit back and said 'boy I made an attempt and I didn't make it.' I didn't give up, that is not the approach to life. I want to inspire the youths out there to take their time and study their art and also clean up their heart because in doing you're a-r-t you have to have a clean h-e-a-r-t."
And for Luciano this is serious business and if you don't believe it in words then hear it in song.
Luciano,
[Singing Verse of 'Serious Time']
A powerful voice and a powerful message that featured saxophone player Dean Frazer says puts Luciano in direct lineage with Bob Marley.
Keith Swift,
You have worked with Bob Marley and now you are working with Luciano, how do they compare?
Dean Frazer, Saxophonist - Jah Messenga Band
"Well Bob Marley is not a man who you compare with people still you know. Bob is a man in a little place all by himself but of course Luciano is one of the most talented and one of the most energetic stars of this time and he is definitely the forerunner in the business."
Luciano performs at the City Center on Saturday night. He will be at the Eden nightclub tonight and will be making radio and tv appearances tomorrow. He leaves on Sunday.