Music / Feature
Da Fuchamen: ‘It’s about spreading love, unity and positive vibrations’
Zemroy Thomas AKA Da Fuchaman is a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter.
Growing up in rural Middle Buxton on the north coast of St Ann Jamaica, the same parish Bob Marley grew up in, Thomas has always grown up around music.
“I’ve been singing pretty much my whole life from in school, from church, to industry to sound system,” Thomas tells Bristol24/7.
is needed now More than ever
After living in Kent for over 10 years, Thomas moved to Bristol in 2013 which he now calls his “home away from home.
“Bristol I find is literally home away from home and they accepted me really well,” Thomas tells us. “I think they like my positive energy that I bring musically and as a person and then I just love them for it.
“There’s always room to grow and there is room for you to flourish within Bristol, that’s what I love about it.”
The reggae singer has a heap of musical knowledge under his belt, having recorded 10 studio albums, multiple single and EP releases and worked with international and UK artists over the years, to say Thomas’ experience in the industry is expansive is an understatement.
In 2016, he formed his live band now known as Da Fuchaman and The Fire Blaze Band which have performed at a range of venues and festivals including, St Paul’s Carnival, Keynsham Music Festival and headlined this year’s Bristol Harbour Festival at Queens Square.
For those who missed their headline set, Da Fuchamen’s most recent release is Fire in the Harbour, released in October, the 12 track LP is the singer’s live performance from their performance at Bristol Harbour Festival 2023.
Of all the places they’ve performed, where is Thomas’ favourite?
“I will have to choose St Paul’s Carnival as my favorite one and it’s because it brings people from all walks of life together,” he answers.
“This year in particular was absolutely amazing. It was incredible and there were so many people from so many different places, there were so many people there, I was in my element, it was like music heaven.”
Da Fuchaman & The Fireblaze Band will be among over 60 artists performing at Bristol Beacon‘s reopening party on December 2.
On performing at the renamed and renovated venue, Thomas explains: “I’m very grateful, honoured and very privileged to be involved in such a great change that will impact for the community for eternity.
“To be involved with this when it’s happened is an absolutely amazing feeling, it means more to me than performing anywhere else. This is about making changes for a great reason and moving forward.”
With a nine-piece band performing on stage, DaFuchamen & The Fireblaze Band live performances are “like a party on stage” which is exactly how Thomas likes them.
“It’s about spreading love, unity and positive vibration to all the nation. Equal rights and love and oneness, for people despite of whatever color they are or wherever they come from
“I believe that everybody should be treated with love and dignity as a human being. That’s my philosophy.”
Main photo: Plaster
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