Tanto Metro and Devonte perform to the delight of guests at the 'Heineken House Party' held recently at Grand Lido Braco, Trelawny. - Photo By Nathelie Taylor THEY WERE the first act on the second night of the 'Heineken House Party' held recently at Grand Lido Braco, Trelawny. After a rousing intro by United States-based selector DJ Irie, they bounded on nto the stage singing one of their biggest hits to date - Everyone Falls In Love and kept up a lively 30-minute set.
Then, when they returned with Joe Budden to perform Mardi Gras which is on the Red Star Sounds CD, they established that they were definitely among the best in reggae music.
This was no surprise since this is just what the duo Tanto Metro and Devonte had guaranteed to do earlier when interviewed.
They spoke of their musical journeys with great pride and no arrogance. They were open, they were frank and they were real. They had no hang-ups and showed no pretences. Basically, they were just cool. They believe artistes can and should be the same.
According to Tanto, when local artistes experience success at the international level, certain changes are to be expected. Their schedules become tighter and their lives more hectic. He was, however, quick to point out that artistes need to remain grounded.
"They won't get to spend much time in Jamaica, but it's about roots. They need to keep focused 'cause if dem nuh know whe dem a do, dem will get off-track. That's basically what me and Devonte have to do. Everytime we get the chance to come to Jamaica, we come."
Devonte, who spoke little during the interview, excitedly jumped in at this point. "Yeah man, we live by we roots. We nuh change. We find out the Americans accept us that way. That's the side of us they like. It nuh mek nuh sense we try change."
It is because of this philosophy that the duo remains unfazed when working with foreign artistes. Devonte piped up passionately about such collaborations, saying "When we're in high peak, you know when we have a big hit single, we do a good amount, over 20 for the year. So, we meet them all the while." They are after all used to international recognition and success, having toured places like the U.S., Europe, Canada and Japan and having produced albums like Everyone Falls In Love in 1999 and the latest hit The Beat Goes On, which was released in 2001. They did admit, however , that it was a great experience linking up with Joe Budden for Mardi Gras.
A LINK
The duo's involvement with the Def Jamaica/Heineken Music Initiative project came courtesy of Cristy Barber, the president of Tuff Gong. Tanto lovingly referred to her as 'Mama', the person who 'hook it up for us.' However, it was a link that had actually begun from their efforts on their last album The Beat Goes On. "We did a song for Tony Kelly, Mardi Gras, which is a song we did for our album. But, they (Def Jamaica) heard the track and loved it so they decided to compile it with Joe Budden an' him mash it up." Tanto said, laughing.
Tanto and Devonte are aware of the high level dancehall music has reached. As such, Tanto is not pleased with the recent announcement that the Reggae Grammy may be cancelled.
"Dancehall exploding right now. This is the time they need to bring in a younger person who know about dancehall so that a Wayne Wonder or a Sean Paul can be nominated. Mi nuh want it to cancel ... Mi nuh tink it a guh cancel," he passionately replies. When asked who he thinks should get the coveted award if the category remains, he strongly backed Sean Paul. With Devonte nodding in ageement, Tanto stated "Sean Paul fi get di Grammy. Wayne Wonder fi nominate, Buju fi nominate, but Sean do a lot of work. That album should definitely get the Grammy."
Winning a Grammy is not really on their minds right now, but Tanto Metro and Devonte do intend to keep striving for greater things. After bursting on the scene in 1998 as a formidable duo, they have simply grown from strength to strength. They have adapted well to their environments without losing sight of their roots and thus remained focused enough to release and enjoy the rewards of hit after hit.
The interview ends on a high note - literally - when on request Devonte sings:
Wine shorty wine,
Turn baby turn,
Goove baby groove,
You have the man dem heart a burn.
