Music / Forwards Festival
Da Fuchaman – ‘I’m spreading love and unity, burning down segregation and manipulation’
Zemroy Thomas, better known as Da Fuchaman, has got pedigree. He was raised on a musical diet of reggae legends and started his career singing in churches in central Jamaica.
Cut to today and the Bristol-based vocalist has performed all over the world, collaborated with some of the greats and been crowned Best Reggae Artist in the South West.
Ahead of his show at Forwards festival on September 1, Da Fuchaman fills Bristol24/7 in on how he got here, the message behind his music and why Bristol has a special place in his heart.
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Do you enjoy the touring life?
“I’ve been on the road a lot this summer. It’s what I live for: there’s no greater feeling than to be so passionate about something, and to be able to share it with the masses. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to travel around, perform and share my music with people.
“All of this I’m doing now was only a dream, coming from where I came from…. You get tired sometimes but don’t complain because you know the minute you hit the stage, the energy’s going to come back.
“And music is something that motivates me, even through the darkest times. No matter how down I feel, if I can bring myself to start singing then I’ll be on my way back up.”
How long have you been building this career for?
“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t singing or interested in music – I’m part of music and the music’s part of me.
“I was born and raised in a little village called Middle Buxton in central Jamaica. My earliest memory is singing in church at about five. From around 12, 13 years old I started to sing at sound systems and little street parties.
“Growing up in Jamaican countryside, there wasn’t any recording studio, it was all just a dream. But when I came to the UK in 2002 a lot of people started to recognise my talent. I started to get offered opportunities to record myself properly.
“I’ve been in Bristol since 2013. That move was the best decision I made, when it comes to music – the people just gravitate to me from day one. We’ve built a beautiful relationship, so there’s always that support when I play in Bristol. That’s definitely empowered and propelled me to a lot of great things.”
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Tell me about your band…
“It’s a ten-piece reggae band with three backing vocalists. It’s big because I wanted to create a particular kind of authentic, organic sound – for spreading happiness, good vibes and positive vibrations.
“It’s called the Fire Blaze band because my slogan is ‘blaze fire blaze.’ It’s a spiritual fire: I’m spreading love and unity, burning down segregation and manipulation, anything that don’t say equal rights and justice for all mankind.
“My message is to uplift and motivate people to believe in themselves, that if they really want to get somewhere they can – I’m a living example of that. People in England, in comparison to where I come from, are a lot more privileged – so if I can rise out of it and follow my dreams then you can as well.
“You got to understand that good always conquer evil, so as long as your intentions are good just keep pushing and trying your best.”
Do you have any career highlights?
“I’ve met and worked with some incredible artists – Queen Omega, the legendary General Levy, Tipper Irie… It’s been an incredible journey! Meeting Toots (and the Maytals) was one of my greatest moments; he told me I remind him of himself!
“But really, one of the first times somebody booked me a plane ticket and a hotel, and paid me to come and perform overseas in Germany – I thought, someone that never met me and only heard my music actually believes in me that much. That was a massive highlight for me.”
What can people expect from your show at Forwards?
“Bristol people are special to me. It’s always a joyful feeling to bring music to my people in Bristol – to share the new things I’m doing and say, I’m still with you, I’m still grateful and will make sure you have a good time. They can expect more love, more positivity, more hope.
“I love music and I’ve got a lot of things to say – maybe I’m just very opinionated! It’s reality, we can’t deny it – as artists we’re opinionated and observant, and aware of what’s going on in society as well.
“It’s a great privilege to have the opportunity to put out there how I feel and see things. But number one, you always have to make sure that, more often than not, it’s something positive.
“God blessed you with talent so you just got to use it and keep pushing. I never stop, and I’m not intending to stop either. Just keep spreading love and positive vibes, that’s what it’s all about.”
Da Fuchaman and the Fire Blaze Band will be at Forwards on the Downs in Bristol on September 1. The festival also takes place on August 31. For more information and tickets visit www.forwardsbristol.co.uk
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