In anticipation for Reggae By the Bay, happening on July 3rd at Pier 23 in San Francisco, we felt it was a good time to learn more about the headliner, J Boog.
J Boog, aka Jerry Afemata, is a Samoan reggae singer out of Compton, CA. His music started to get a buzz while he lived in Hawaii, and has since made charts and playlists all over the world. He's now living and working at the Wash House studios in San Francisco, CA. He has been hard at work in the studio with experts such as Gramps and Peetah Morgan of Morgan Heritage, Don Corleon, Bobby Digital and Ces-One completing his second album. J Boog recently went to Jamaica to film a video for an inspiring song called "Got to be Strong" with Richie Spice, which you can view by clicking here.
If you have been taking my club suggestions to heart, by now you have heard a DJ or two playing, “Let’s Do It, Again” by J Boog. In fact, when a J Boog song is played in San Francisco, it is played at least three times in a row. “The ladies scream,” says Rasta I-Vier of the Jah Warrior Shelter on Wash House TV. Watch the video here.
Today is your chance to find out a little bit more about J Boog, the artist himself. J Boog's phone call came from Washington DC. It is typical nowadays for him to be on the road.
ALYSSA: So let's get the basics out of the way. What’s your name? Where were you raised? Where do you reside now?
J BOOG: I am Jerry Afemata, I was born in Long Beach, raised in Compton, CA. I live everywhere. The world is my home. Frisco for right now. I'm Samoan.
ALYSSA: Have you ever been to Samoa?
J BOOG: Yes I've been there, my family is from the east side of the island. A small village called Alao. I got a chance to performed there with some of my good friends, like Fiji, Laga Savea, Kiwini, Siaosi and Hot Rain. It was amazing.
ALYSSA: When did you first learn to sing?
J BOOG: I don’t know, I just like music. My sister played piano and she would do runs on the keys and I would sing along and she would get annoyed. Now she likes my music.
ALYSSA: Who are your musical influences?
J BOOG: Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Berres Hammond, Glen Washington, Axel from Guns N Roses, System of Down… you know that song ‘Wake Up!'
ALYSSA: Your first album, Hear Me Roar featured Fiji. How was it working with one of your musical influences?
J BOOG: It was exciting to work with him. Never thought I would. I learned a lot from him. He taught me to check for a lot of different styles. He helped me find and develop my style.
ALYSSA: What would you call your style?
J BOOG: Feel good music. Sometimes lover's rock, it depends on the mood. I express myself in reggae.
ALYSSA: Growing up in southern California, you could have chosen to do any kind of music that you wanted. Why reggae?
J BOOG: I do reggae because it's the music of my people and my culture. Modern Polynesian music is reggae. Reggae is worldwide and it's a universal language. It's the music of unity.
ALYSSA: Who have you been working on the new album with?
J BOOG: Wash House. Snoop Dogg, Big Yard, Gramps Morgan, Bobby Digital, Don Corleon, Buju Banton, Tarrus Riley and Shane Brown. Peetah Morgan has been staying at the Wash House for the last month helping us finish up the album. We have some folks in France called Special Delivery and Bost & Bim too.
ALYSSA: Wow, the Tarrus Riley song is something to look forward to. What is it called?
J BOOG: The song featuring Tarrus is called She Give Me Loving, it's nice.
ALYSSA: It seems like San Francisco is your home away from home. Would you ever move here to the Bay Area?
J BOOG: I live here part time and I love the spot. The reggae scene is tuff and I love Frisco. The Bay Area has some hot spots for reggae.
ALYSSA: Oh really, and what are some those places?
J BOOG: Tuesdays at The Milk Bar for Bless Up with Jah Warrior Shelter, Wednesdays at Paradise for Cooyah, shout out to the Cooyah Ladies, Feel Good Thursdays at The Rockit Room and Mondays at The Hopmonk in Sebastopol. Don't forget 3rd saturdays at Pier23 for Right Time.
ALYSSA: With your success and popularity growing each day, and a new album on the way, how has your career affected your personal life?
J BOOG: Music is my life. It's a blessing to be doing what I'm doing, making music for people who love it. What I love is when people from all over hit me on my Facebook or inbox telling me how my music or certain songs have helped them. Like through a tough time in a relationship or in their lives. This one girl even told me she gave birth to my one of my songs to ease her pain. That was very humbling.
ALYSSA: Can you explain to the readers the main differences between Jamaican reggae and Island music aka Jawaiian music.
J BOOG: Jamaican reggae is the seed and foundation that's been planted worldwide. Jawaiian music is one of the buds...and it's "sweet as". ("Sweet as" is a New Zealand/Polynesian slang or abbreviation for "sweet as spring sunshine" or "sweet as the morning dew")
ALYSSA: What it’s like in your life right now? What have been some of the high points in your career lately?
J BOOG: I got a call from Don Corleon in Kingston telling me our song Lets Do It Again is getting a lot of love in Jamaica and beyond. That's rare for a foreign artist. It was amazing.
ALYSSA: Are your lyrics based on your own life experiences?
J BOOG: Yes. I like to write about what I know and feel. And I like to write with other people like my brother Akoostiks, Mr. Sanga and Peetah. Sometimes I need to take a cruise downtown with the boys to open up the vibes.
ALYSSA: If you could do a song with anyone, who would it be?
J BOOG: Bob Marley...
ALYSSA: Do you have any tours planned in the near future?
J BOOG: We have New Zealand and Australia coming up. The tour is called The Dream Team Tour.
It features T.I., Jamie Foxx, Trey Songz, The Dream and B.O.B.
ALYSSA: How was your recent visit to Jamaica, what is the current situation down there?
J BOOG: Filmed a video down there with Richie Spice called, "Got To Be Strong." It’s tragic whats going down in Kingston. A lot of sufferation.
ALYSSA: Do you have a favorite song?
J BOOG: Yes, he said joking as he laughed and put on, “Let’s Do It Again” by J Boog.
ALYSSA: What shows do you have coming up in the San Francisco area?
J BOOG: Reggae By The Bay. July 3rd at Pier 23 featuring Winstrong, Ishi Dube, Rocker-T, Queen Makedah, Lasana Bandele, Jah Warrior Shelter, Massive Sound International, Coo-yah Ladeez and more to be announced.
ALYSSA: Is there anyone you want to give a shout out?
J BOOG: A&B Management, Ces One, Wash House, Jah Warrior Shelter Hi Fi, Cooyah Ladeez, Papalote, Jacques of WBLK, KPOO, Poly people all over the world, Coop D'Ville, One Blood, and you of course, Alyssa. Give thanks.
ALYSSA: Thank you, Boog. That concludes our interview. See you at Pier 23 for Reggae By the Bay.
Now that you have read the interview, check out the list of links that we put together for readers to stay informed, inspired and entertained. Everything you will need to get ready for the big event is to follow.
TICKETS: Follow this link to get tickets now!
DOWNLOAD A FREE MIX: The one and only, Irie Dole of Jah Warrior Shelter has put together a free downloadable mix featuring J Boog and the other artists performing at Reggae By The Bay. Get it by clicking here . This is a great way to get in the mood for the show. Please share this link with friends and family.
A MUST-SEE, ACOUSTIC J BOOG VIDEO: Original Love Season Video
SUBSCRIBE TO WASH HOUSE TV: Get updates by following this link!
More videos of J Boog:
J Boog Performing In Sydney Australia
J Boog Recording With Chezidek @ Reggae Rising 2009
J Boog Interview in Brisbane Australia
J Boog Interview on Jamaica Live TV in Jamaica
J Boog and Peetah Morgan, Working on New Music
J Boog "Lets Do It Again" Dub Plate Session
J Boog - "Lets Do It Again" Don Corelon's Major Minor Riddim 2010
J Boog @ Rebel Salute 2010 Backstage Interview
J Boog Reggae Cafe Interview
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