Marlon Asher
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Marlon Asher is a Trinidadian reggae singer from Enterprise, Chaguanas. His first hit was "Ganja Farmer" and later went on to release three more popular reggae songs, his latest being "Fit and Strong".
Marlon Asher grew up in Enterprise Street, Chaguanas. He was a member of the Mount Ararat Spiritual Baptist Church Choir and later converted to Rastafari.
Asher was a pioneer of the Trinidadian reggae movement and his first song Ganja Farmer sparked controversy in his country despite being a run away hit. In an exclusive interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Express, he answered his critics by explaining what the song meant to him.
"I was never a farmer, but I have friends who are and seeing what they have to go through when police burn their fields inspired me to create the song. People must understand that planters have mouths to feed and this is how they earn a living to do so. Putting aside the fact that herb is life and everything else about that, when you think about the work and money a man puts into his field and then see it being burnt, it's not easy,"
"Herb is not for everyone. It have people who will smoke and trip. My music is not about promoting hate and violence, it's about uplifting people. I may not be able to change the world, but I can lead people into thinking differently about life and living with each other. Also, the lyrics in the song that tell about the rocket launcher, does not mean that people should kill police. I am showing the anger that a farmer has inside when he sees his field being burnt. That anger and frustration is real," [1]
Asher was once a joiner and a mason but left the trade due to allergies. His left index finger was lost in a sawing accident. He is currently a member of a pan side led by his father Glenford Sobers.
Asher has toured together with the stars such as Beenie Man, Sizzla, Maxi Priest and even the American R&B Group Boyz II Men. He has toured Boston, Virginia, Miami, Baltimore and Toronto, and later plans to tour Germany, the United Kingdom as well as other parts of Europe. [2]
He has since paved the way for other local reggae stars such as Prophet Benjamin[3], Isasha, Jah Bami, Xebulon, King David and so many more.
His name is sometimes mis-spelt as Asha.
[edit] Quotes on Marlon Asher
- On talking about the new success of Prophet Benjamin, the Trinidad and Tobago Express compared the new artiste to the popular Marlon Asher:
"With the success of his hit songs "Coming From Moruga" and "Pretty Boy", the Prophet has turned the full stop into a comma ensuring his name follows those of Marlon Asher, Khari "Khari Kill" Williams and Marvin "Mr King" Lewis as the growing cast of underground local reggae acts to penetrate into main stream radio."[3]
[edit] References
- ^ "'Ganja Planter' hit maker warns of marijuana risks" Trinidad and Tobago Express, Sunday, May 8th 2005.
- ^ "Marlon Asher" TriniJungleJuice.com
- ^ a b "Reggae has a new star", Trinidad and Tobago Express, Sunday, September 11th 2005, Retrieved Thursday, July 20th 2006.
MyMusicCity.Net Article on Marlon Asher at Corrosive Studio Launch Point Fortin [1] [2]
