Last Disciple celebrates 4/20

WHILE he no longer smokes, Last Disciple extols the benefits of ganja whenever he can. He did so last year with Smoking Kush, a song featuring veteran roots singer Linval Thompson and dub poet Myota.

With today being celebrated globally as 4/20, the American artiste reinforces his commitment as an advocate for open use of the weed.

“I have smoked, but have also used herb in food and not smoked whatsoever for a significant amount of time in recent times, only ingesting it through food. But always promoting the legality and right to use it is only right,” Last Disciple told the Jamaica Observer.

The singjay was born in conservative Greenville, South Carolina, where he still lives. Last Disciple has also lived in Florida and California; states with liberal laws in terms of ganja use.

Like Jamaica, where decriminalisation of ganja started nine years ago, it has been slow going in his home state.

“In South Carolina, the legality has moved very slow, but it’s taking steps and there are droves of people moving here from states like California, where it is legalised, which will push it towards legalisation soon;

I’m sure,” said Last Disciple, whose given name is Brad Brandt.

When he discovered roots-reggae just over 20 years ago, Last Disciple quickly realised the music’s strong ties to Rastafari and ganja.

During multiple trips to Jamaica he has recorded songs with top musicians, including guitarist Winston “Bo Pee” Bowen and keyboardist Franklin “Bubbler” Waul.

Walking on The Moon, his follow-up to Smoking Kush, is a collaboration with Kush Mcanuff.