The Jamaica Star :: Entertainment :: Spice revisits his childhood with Gideon Boot

By Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Richie Spice - file

One of the most cultural artistes in the business Richie Spice meditates on the youth in his latest album Gideon Boot.

The follow up to 2007's In The Streets to Africa, Gideon Boot which was released yesterday and features popular songs such The Plane Land, The World Is A Cycle among others. From the cover art of the CD where Spice poses with a few young children in the ghetto, it is obvious that Spice hopes to provide guidance for the next generation. When the STAR caught up with Spice aka Richard Bonner he talked about the focus of his music.

"Richie Spice is a rasta yute who stand up for equal rights and justice for the younger generation. Mi really focusing on di younger generation cause we know that they are the future, without them the world would end. That is our main focus right now," he said.

This message is heard in songs such as the title track Gideon Boot where he sings 'I need a Gideon Boot and a khaki suit to stand out inna Babylon and defend the truth/ I got a strong reggae beat with a mic in my hand fe lead out de youth dem outta destruction and let de people know right from wrong.'

According to Spice his interpretation of the biblical story of Gideon speaks to the seriousness of life and using his musical 'tools' to conquer evil.

Positive messages

Richie Spice's Gideon Boot.

Since Spice's breakout in the music business in 2004 with his single Earth A Run Red he has carried on the positive messages portrayed by his musical family which consists of Pliers (from the deejay/singer duo Chaka Demus and Pliers), singer Spanner Banner and deejay Snatcher Dogg.

"My relationship with my family has always been great, we try to keep it that way through di music from ever since growing up we try to keep it that way. Pliers was the first one to lead out then Spanner so I maybe follow their footsteps, their example. See how dem do their ting, dem always try to keep it on a level to uplift di people dem spirit," Spice said.

Like his siblings, Spice strives to make timeless music that can be listened to years in the future. He looks up to artistes like Burning Spear, Bob Marley, Shabba Ranks and his Bonner brothers.

He explained "In the Streets to Africa was and is a great album and its still doing good. When I compile an album it always stands out, it neva be a album that sell for like six months and one year and stop. Its a life ting that keep going on and on so every time you pick up dat CD and play it it goes on and on."

Not looking to limit his future in the business with Gideon Boot set to blaze, Spice is focused on promoting his music and the album with a number of shows and tours around the world.