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Five Questions with ... Heavy D

Published:Friday | February 22, 2019 | 12:00 AM

Junior ‘Heavy D’ Fraser is a ­multifaceted dynamo.

Having been involved in the music industry for more than 40 of his 60 years on planet Earth, Heavy D has seen a lot and has done much more. He has managed more artistes than he can count and has the dubious honour of being involved in the careers of most, if not all, of the reggae and dancehall artistes who have gone to prison.

Heavy D’s expertise in the music industry also extends to the promotion and execution of stage shows. There was a time, for example, when the names ‘Laing’ and ‘Heavy D were always said in unison as they represented the twin towers of the longest-running annual dancehall show on earth – Sting.

However, with Sting on a ­hiatus, Heavy D remains as busy as the bee that was the identifying mark in the Sting logo. He is constantly being called on for his advice from artistes – veterans and ­emerging acts alike – who want to tap into the music industry in a meaningful way.

But, it is not always smooth sailing for Heavy D. He has been branded every derogatory name in the book, and then some. However, he refuses to be ruffled and is the first one to declare that his shoulders are broad and point out that the persons who really matter show him respect.

What do you do to relax?

Relax! What name so? But recently, I have been watching series. Yes, series on Netflix. The Blacklist has me captivated when I am at home. I have watched 95 episodes in February, so you can imagine how much time I have spent doing that. But I also have my phone with me and I am ­constantly taking calls at the same time, so it’s not all about relaxation.

If you could change something about yourself, what would that be?

Womanising. When I look back, it is not something to be really proud of, so I would definitely change that. Also, I would like to change the perception that people have of me. People say a lot of negative things about me, and that’s mainly because I stand up for my rights and refuse to cower in fear before any human being. But, the truth is that I am a really nice person, and the people who know me very well have a lot of respect for me. You just have to get to know me.

Tell us one thing you have ­accomplished that you are most proud of.

Being associated with the Jamaican music industry. No special genre, just music in general. Music is ­something that I live by. People live by ­different things, I live by music. I have worked with so many ­different types of artistes and have learnt so much from them that it is just amazing.

Tell us the something about yourself that people don’t know.

I am a godly person. I don’t go to church everyday, but I believe in God 100 per cent. I feel that I am a better Christian than some of those ­persons who are always in church. I know God for myself and I know that God is real.

If you were on a deserted island and could only have two things (no electronic gadgets), what would they be?

Lots of water and a girl to keep me company.