URBAN VAULT UK
Urban Vault caught up with CELEBRATION OF LIFE some of the UK’s premier talents from the worlds of Jungle, Drum & Bass, Reggae, and Dance to ask them about their collective track CELEBRATE LIFE and more
Celebration Of Life consists of producer Potential Badboy, Demolition Man, Jr. Dangerous, Navigator, Tippa Irie, General Levy, Alaska MC and Cowboy Ranger, not to mention ‘Celebrate Life’ being mixed by Liondub at his own New York studios. The reason for their unification is to support Demelza, a hospice which provides support and respite for the parents and families of terminally ill children with special needs.
The project is inspired by a little boy called Jaden who is suffering from an incurable brain disease. Despite his prognosis, he celebrated his 11th birthday in August, against all his doctor’s expectations, which has further inspired the project to achieve even greater exposure for the cause.
Celebration of Life features musical styles which Jaden is particularly fond of – Reggae, Jungle, Drum & Bass and Dance, featuring sounds which have kept him cheerful and positive throughout his illness. The track ‘Celebrate Life’ is an uplifting, beat-heavy, furiously catchy song which is aimed at all those struggling in situations beyond their control and showcases some of the best in UK musical talent from the last twenty-five years, in a completely unique coming together of genres.
What are your names?
Navigator, Potential Badboy, Ras Demo, General Levi, Tippa Irie, Ragga Twins, Sweetie Irie, Jnr Dangerous, Ras Ranger, Alaska MC, Joseph Lallbela & Fleck aka Celebration Of Life.
Where are you from?
LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, FLORIDA & GREECE.
How old are you?
33 – 54 years young.
How long have you been making music?
from 20 – 40 years
How many songs albums have you released to date?
COUNTLESS RELEASES, ALBUMS, SINGLES & VIDEOS + COUNTLESS AWARDS WON over a period of approximately 40 years.
Can you tell us about your new song, the background, and inspirations behind it?
The latest songs we have out right now as a collective is a collaboration project called ‘Celebration of Life’ consisting of two songs called Celebrate Life and Think Positive. We have also filmed a documentary to accompany the tracks which are to highlight the plight of a young 11-year-old boy called Jaden Mulhern aka ‘BabyLuv’ who has a terminal degenerative brain condition. His mother Charlene approached Alaska with an intention to feature a list of artists with whom she wanted to make two tracks as a tribute to her son and daughter Taya aka ‘Gucci’. Navigator was given the list and he then proceeded to coordinate all of the artists and producers to make the project manifest into reality. There is a charity funded respite hospice called ‘Demelza’ that gives support to people who are dealing difficult situations such as Jaden’s and so his mother Charlene wants to show people who are experiencing similar circumstances that there is help out there for them. Charlene has also pledged all profits from the sales to Demelza.
How have you ended up in the music industry?
We have all been involved and have excelled in the music industry, through sheer passion, drive and determination. No matter what trials and tribulations we have encountered on our individual and collective musical journeys, we have always found sanctuary in our capacities as creatives by expressing our emotions and artist prowess through the medium of this blessings in our lives called Music.
What inspires you when you make your music?
We all are inspired by daily Life itself first foremost, also a dope beat, or input from other artists, musicians or producers. The inspirations are endless as in the case of this latest project which was ultimately inspired by a sick child whose mother wanted to highlight the plight of his condition.
What did you think of the music industry in 2017?
The industry has gone through many changes over the past 40 years, but 2017 was a definitive year where all our perceptions of what we are aiming for and what we want to achieve professionally and personally became more apparent. We all know that when we fulfill our objectives it opens up new desire. So the work is never done and we are all endlessly expanding as energy forces who utilize music as a vessel for our creative expression.
What have you got planned for 2018?
Loads of new music, visuals, live shows, documentaries, books, movies, etc etc.
Who have you collaborated with so far in your Career?
James Brown, Lenny Kravitz, Black Eye Peas, Skrillex, Prodigy, Gorillaz, Jones Girls & Shabba Ranks and the Freestylers just to name a few.
What’s your favorite track at the moment?
CELEBRATE LIFE!!
What do you do when your not making music?
Most of us are making music and/or doing music admin full time, but we are also mostly fathers and grandfathers doting on our families.
Facebook or Twitter?
www.facebook.com/CelebrationofLifeglobal/
https://twitter.com/CelebratelifeukIn a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?
Urban vault is a place to celebrate the BEST of UK Hip Hop & Urban Music.
Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music….
With all proceeds from ‘Celebrate Life’ going to the Demelza Hospice and all efforts being made aimed to promote the work they do, there’s simply no reason not to get involved!
@jr1dangerous2
@Navi4Real
@tippairie7665
@Generallevy
@PotentialBB
@ALASKAMC
@raggatwinz
@sweetieirie
@RasDemo
@liondub