Ras Shiloh Interview

Text + Photos: Benjamin Poljak

Berlin 2005
Ras Shilohs story shows what can happen, if you were born in New York and have Jamaican neighbours which have a soundsystem. Now it is round about 17 years ago as Ras Shiloh goes to his neighbours daily after doing his homework (a New York soundsystem called Ballis International). Ballis International was a big Sound in these days and so Ras Shiloh meets: Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty, Admiral Bailey, Barrington Levy, Shabba and a lot more. After a short while, Ballis International took the young Ras Shiloh to some soundsystem shows. In this time everyone called Ras Shiloh"Big Belly Youth", who was strictly deejaying. Ras Shiloh become to a singer with a great voice. If you close your eyes while he is singing, you have a feeling the melodic, vibrating voice belongs to the singer Garnett Silk which is passed away. Ras Shiloh heard often about his similar voice to Garnett and he takes the compliment with pleasure. Years later Ras Shiloh visited Jamaica for a few times and met his mentor Tony Rebel. After that Ras Shiloh released the song (title) "Are You Satisfied" on the Lalabella Riddim and a lot more should follow. Without Tony Rebel all the Penthouse tunes would not be possible to released. At least after the combination song with Gentleman (title) "Blessings of jah", even every Reggae-Fan in Germany should know Ras Shilohs name.

Ras Shiloh album number five is gonna be released soon, in this case produced by Bobby Digital. (while in the interview, the name was still unknown to be set). So this voice of an angel visited Germany the second time and we took the chance and made an Interview after his performance in the flat of the Promoter.

Pullupmp3: Where are you from?

RAS SHILOH: I am born and grown in Brooklyn NY and since three years i am in Jamaica. Do or die - thats how they call it where Im from.

Pullupmp3: How old are you?

RAS SHILOH: 27 years old.

Pullupmp3: For how long will you be on tour in Europe?

RAS SHILOH: For a hole month with Junior Kelly. I am coming from Rome know, Coming from the Vatican city. Just Burning up the new pope. Ha ha.

Pullupmp3: Do you have any more gigs in Germany?

RAS SHILOH: No. Just in Berlin, but i have some things to take care in Cologne. I will check my brother Gentleman for the combination number two. But no more gigs in Germany on this Tour. We will play some Shows in France.

Pullupmp3: What about your new album. How do you call it?

RAS SHILOH: It has no name yet, I have to be in Jamaica with Bobby Digital to decide about the name. I still have to finish two tracks. It will have fresh, unreleased Tunes on it. Look out for it. This is the number five album.

Pullupmp3: You work with a lot of different producers. Do you have a favourite producer?

RAS SHILOH: Donnavan Germain (penthouse) is a great producer, Bobby Digital is a great producer, I work with Firehouse. I dont work with every producer. I have my selected few producers. Bobby Digital is like a rubberdub king, when it comes to roots-music he is specialised in that. Garnett Silk does most of his work with Bobby Digital, because Bobby is specialised in certain things. The connection is there. Every producer is unique in their own way xterminator, penthouse... have different vibrations than Bobby Digital. If you work with this producer you gonna get this, if you work with that producer, you gonna get that. And when it comes together it is beautiful.

Pullupmp3: I heard you have a soundsystem?

RAS SHILOH: Ja Man, Jah Fingers. We are three people. Jah Fingers have a part in NY / Orlando with Top Cat and we are based in Jamaica with Futuristic Warrior and me.

Pullupmp3: What is your part in the soundsystem? Are you the selector or the dj?

==> Read more

Coming Home & Only King Selassie are still released in 2007.

It was already cold outside, I had the chance to speak personally to veteran DJ Philip Thomas aka Cutty Ranks after a Dubplate session in Berlin. It took place in an old factory site, which was modified to a studio. In the old days they repaired locomotives and railway wagons in that factory. Today you can find a heap of leisure facilities, a skate park and clubs. I was the first in the studio, so I took place on an old couch and waited. It didnt take long and a well known engineer boarded the building. Somow is a half of the Berlin Record Label Rebelcuts. Rebelcuts cooperates with Topline events, which makes the thickest bookings of the city. Shortly afterwards the master himself entered the studio followed by a set of Soundboys. I introduced myself and mentioned I liked to interview him after the Dub-session. During the recording one thing was clear to me. The man is a bit impatient. When the recording system was not as how he wants it, he quickly became loud and uncomfortable. The poor Somow! After completing the work, I let him have a moment in silence and then we started with the interview.

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Rise Up Riddim in German Reggae Charts

Yes Massive! The RISE UP Riddim feat MYKAL ROZE (Are you ready for something new) and BONGO CHILLI (Rise up) entered the German Reggae Charts!

Thanx for your support!

Check the other Versions and visit our Shop or here==> www.myspace.com/rebelcuts

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