‘I will always be here for Jamaica’ - David Rodigan answers call to assist following Hurricane Melissa

In January 1979, a young white man from Oxford, England, journeyed to Jamaica as his fascination with its music was so magnetic that he was unable to resist its pull.

Though he knew no one, he knew what he wanted, and that was to immerse himself in Jamaican culture and understand the nuances of why its beats, rhythms, and sounds resonated with listeners worldwide. That man was David Rodigan. Now more than 45 years later, he is recognised as one of reggae and dancehall's most prolific radio presenters and disc jockeys, having been an avid collector of reggae vinyl records and a fierce clash selector who has battled some of the biggest disc jockeys. Always willing to promote the positives of Jamaican culture through its music, Rodigan was only too happy to head to his 'second home' to lend his support to Breds Foundation as it seeks to rebuild Treasure Beach and its surrounding communities in hurricane-ravaged St Elizabeth.

Fresh from his 45-minute stint on stage at Friday's 'Dubwise: Many Rivers to Cross' session, Rodigan said that as an honorary 'yardman' and being married to a Jamaican, he would always answer the call whenever Jamaica needs him.

"I had to come because Jamaica has given so much to me since I first came here. What has happened as a result of Hurricane Melissa was truly beyond tragic, so if I can jump on a plane, land in Kingston, and perform here at 10A [West Kings House Road] in order to raise a serious amount of money for the Breds Foundation, I would be more than happy to do that," he said.

Rodigan, who has been selecting music at parties and youth clubs since he was barely 15, added that his visit was twofold, as he also needed to pay his respect to his late friend, broadcaster Barrington 'Barry G' Gordon, by attending his funeral. He also paid homage to the 'Boogey Man' during his set when he told the sizeable crowd that Gordon had often boasted that he was unbeatable in musical clashes. So when Rodigan saw Tenor Saw in New York in 1985, he persuaded him to do a Ring the Alarm dub plate for him to clash with Gordon. That night, he claimed a victory that still is etched in his memory.

Music, Rodigan added, has been a passion since childhood. He was bitten by the music bug for the Jamaican genre from the first time he watched Millie Small perform her 1964 hit My Boy Lollipop on television. Jamaican music is ever evolving, he stated, but there is still space for dub music.

"Dub music is now more popular in Europe than it is in Jamaica and that's a simple statement of fact. It was born here, grew here but then other genres came along, which is understandable because nothing remains the same. By creating dub music, they created something unique here in Jamaica, which has now been embraced by sound systems and sectors all over central Europe and beyond who embrace the music," he said.

People, he added, are still appreciative of the culture and of a good cause.

"Jamaicans are very proud people, and it is heart-warming to see people from all walks of life come out and ram the place because a lot of people still respect the music's foundation and history."

He said young selectors have to be cognisant of this history if they intend to be taken seriously, as just spinning what is trendy will not automatically bring them longevity.

"To be a good selector, you have to be a good collector. If you can't collect vinyl anymore, you can collect songs and digital recordings and study them. If you know and understand the music, you can play to any crowd, any time, anywhere. You are duty-bound as a selector to be able to entertain any kind of party."