MORE STORIES FROM DYCR
Whether tackling social issues or making light of current affairs, DYCR has released songs that have made him his generation’s dub poet. But as he promotes his second album, Dub, Stories and Poetry, he is still called on to define his style.
“Well, me’s a chanting dub poet. If yuh listen to a song like Mother’s Love,
I am actually doing a poem but dubbing a lot of it, chanting also,” he explained. “I am also a poet who tells stories.”
Dub, Stories and Poetry was released in July by Tad’s International Record. It contains 16 songs that address everything from child neglect (Mother’s Love) to unrequited love (Nyrie) and controversial trends (Bleach and Tattoo).
The 49-year-old DYCR has enjoyed considerable success with hilarious songs like Delroy, Misunderstanding and The Barber. On Dub, Stories and Poetry, he gets serious on the autobiographical Mother’s Love.
“Mother’s Love was a experience wey mi did have from early out. It was a natural thing that happened with mi natural mother,” he recalled.
That sad recollection is the set’s most sombre piece. Many of the tracks, such as Jah,
Bother Di Pope, Hold it Natty and Under Lox are spiritual and appeal to the Afro-conscious.
Others, like Bleach and Tattoo, take on skin lightening and elaborate tattoos which are popular among Jamaican youth.
“Bwoy, things get a way wid di tattoo dem an’ di bleaching…i don’t like it at all!” he exclaimed. “Some a dem bleach an’ haffi hide (from the sun) like vampire. I see dem as lost souls.”
Though many fans first discovered DYCR (born Delroy Chandler) through the hilarious 2003 song Delroy, the St Maryreared artiste started recording in the mid-1990s. Delroy was produced by Bobby Digital, one of the most successful figures in contemporary dancehall/ reggae.
While senior dub poets Oku Onuora, Mutabaruka and
Yasus Afari established themselves internationally through frequent tours in Europe and North America, DYCR gets his message across by appealing to promoters of major shows as well as the grassroots.
“Mi dey pon all a di big show dem…sting, (Reggae) Sumfest, mix tape an’ mi get play prime time inna di dance. But look at a song like Mother’s Love, is a natural hit, it jus’ need some more play,” he said.