‘God and time’, Wayne Wonder says of Reggae Icon Award

If reggae vocalist Wayne Wonder could use only one word to describe how he feels about being honoured by the Government with the Reggae Icon Award, that one word would be “amazing”.

But it is important to remember that ‘Waynie’, as he is affectionately called, is a writer. And, having penned quite a few dancehall and reggae hit songs, he can certainly write much more than a letter – and he had a lot of good things to say.

“It feels amazing to know that the work that you are doing all these years is being recognised by your own people. There are some persons who say that ‘dis shoulda happen long time’. But I believe in God and time,” a happy Wayne Wonder told The Gleaner.

Von Wayne Charles, as he was christened, has been involved in the music business for close to four decades, 38 years to be precise, and he has maintained his youthful looks throughout the years. He didn’t attribute it to the fact that he has been married to the same woman, Jackie, for decades, or that he has put in the work to be an excellent father to their two children, or his healthy lifestyle; he simply said that looking younger than his years “is my blessings”.

When he receives the Reggae Icon Award today at the Independence Grand Gala at the National Stadium, his wife, his son and his daughter will be at his side and, in his heart, he will carry all the people who paved the way for his remarkable musical journey.

“It was Singing Melody who took me to King Tubby’s studio all those years ago,” Wayne Wonder shared. “You have to always remember to thank those who give yuh a ‘assist’ along the way.”

He recalled being a shy artiste who would just be in the studio quietly folding his hands, taking in everything. He didn’t know that King Tubby was watching him and, one day, the producer tapped him on the shoulder and told him to turn up at 7:30 the next morning.

“King Tubby gave me tips that carried me through, and I always remember what he taught me. He told me that the day you are not in the studio, that is the day that something happens. So, even when I could barely find the bus fare and had nothing to eat, I showed up at the studio. He taught me the difference between singing live and recording in a studio. I’m sorry that he didn’t live to see my success, but I owe him a lot,” Wayne said.

There are other persons like Shaggy, Robert Livingston, Yolande Zanders, Donovan Germain, and Frankie Sly, whom he also recognised for the role they played in his journey. It was at Germain’s Penthouse Studio that he was given the opportunity to spend hours recording one song until it was perfect “and that’s a big deal”.

“When I had No Letting Go and went to the States to do a campaign, is Shaggy tell me how to do it. Shaggy was living there, so he knew the ropes. He told me to knock on every radio station door, stay on top of the mixtape DJs … nag dem. Shaggy also told me that time is money and, if they tell me to come for a 7 a.m. interview, I should be there by 6:30 a.m. And I followed the playbook,” Wayne Wonder said of the song, which was released in 2003 and is his biggest hit to date.

Commend Busy Signal

He recalled that Wendy Williams was the first one to play No Letting Go, because she liked the song, and it would eventually go on to spend all of 31 weeks on the Billboard chart, and he gave thanks that the song, which is a true story and “came from a genuine place in [his] heart, is still in rotation … still popping up in the clubs”.

He paused to commend Busy Signal, who will also be honoured today.

“Busy has put in some great work; he is a professional, he carries himself with dignity, and congratulations to him on being given the Reggae Icon Award,” Wayne said.

The Reggae Icon Award, which is presented annually at the national Independence Day Grand Gala, honours music pioneers who shape worldwide appreciation for Jamaican culture.

With his decades of experience in the music business, Wayne Wonder had some advice for up-and-coming artistes.

“Remember that nothing beats hard work, dedication and always giving of your best. And believe in your craft. I came through the era when there were a lot of covers, and you had to be brave to create a song. I would write my songs and, when people hear them, they would think that my original songs were covers,” he said.

“Over the years, I have been writing and co-writing songs for dancehall artistes, even though I am a singer. Is me and Frankie Sly write Deportee … it was my friend who get deported,” Wayne Wonder shared.

Deportees (Things Change), which was a mega hit for Buju Banton, was released on July 6, 1993, as part of his album Voice of Jamaica. It was produced by Donovan Germain.

And, speaking of Buju Banton, it was inevitable that the brouhaha about songwriting credits that surfaced a few months ago would be mentioned. Wayne Wonder, ever the professional, took the high road.

“I want to put all that behind me. Yes, it does leave a bitter taste in my mouth ... disrespect close doors that no apology can open. Right now, I continue to focus on being a good role model … my son goes to university, and the dean for his school follows me on social media. This Reggae Icon Award is making me and my family proud, and I give thanks,” Wayne Wonder said.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com