Making melodies and memories with Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer Olaf Blackwood
Published:Sunday | July 24, 2022 | 12:08 AMKrysta Anderson - Staff Reporter
His name resonates in the hearts of fans around the world and he is known as a multifaceted creative of his time. Not only does he write and record music, but he also produces tracks for some of Jamaica’s top dancehall artistes like Tessanne Chin, Bounty Killer, Spice, and Shaggy. Usually working behind the scenes, The Sunday Gleaner is bringing his uplifting story of his days in Jamaica to rise to fame in the spotlight. Let’s go on the beat with the melodies and memories of the award-winning artiste, Olaf Blackwood.
The triple talent, who returned to the island this year, after being away in the United States for two decades, was excited and delighted to be back on home soil. “It has been sensory overload. Anything from plants to the smell of food triggers a certain memory. It takes me back to a time and place and I almost remember who I was back then,” he told us in a recent interview.
His story dates back to 1980. A young Olaf graced the earth with the brightest of futures ahead of him. Born in Lacovia, St Elizabeth, Blackwood came from humble beginnings. Raised in a farming family, he recalled assisting with the livelihood of his family for as long as he could remember, travelling back and forth with his grandfather to work the land. But as early as the sun would rise, so too did his love for music.
“My earliest memory of music is ‘djing’ on sound systems everywhere. I was a disc jockey before I was an artiste. Wherever a sound was playing I would try to track where it’s at,” the music-lover confessed.
That provided a gateway for growth, following his discovery that he was vocally sound as well. At the time, he was involved in track and field and was also playing football, so he had gained popularity in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. They embraced his talent and he is truly grateful for the support. But the experience also made him realise that there was more out there.
So he took a chance on himself, ditched high school completely, and moved to the island’s musical mecca to pursue a full-time career in entertainment. He hoped that this would be his ticket out of poverty. Recording with reggae legend Garnet Silk back in 1995 was all the motivation he needed to push beyond his limit.
After moving to Kingston, he migrated to the United States and has since lived and toured in different parts of the world. He, however, set down roots in California, where he has since been able to create his very own state-of-the-art recording studio from home. That way, whenever the music moves him, he can capture the moment instantly in the most authentic way.
He released records as early as he could, but he didn’t receive his big break as an artiste until 2017. The song, I Need You, is a collaboration between him, Armin van Buuren and Fernando Garibayz who produced the track. On the track, he brings a smooth, easy and rich melody to pop and electronic dance music, that makes others gravitate towards him as an artiste.
You know how they say, you just never know when inspiration will strike? It was no different with I Need You. The song came to him during the wee hours of the night after a whole day of brainstorming.
“We started writing this track at about 3 p.m. in the day, throwing out a bunch of different ideas. We had two other producers and two writers there as well. But as the day grew old, most people left. Fernando, who was on the piano, began playing chords and I am sitting there scrolling through my phone. And then the idea just popped into my head and I started singing. So he said, ‘That was really cool, record it’. And we did. It’s one of the most effortless songs I have ever written,” he said. They spent a day solely crafting the melody and took a couple of hours of another day to work on the lyrics.
Since its release, the song has gone platinum in the Netherlands, winning the best international song of the year at the BUMA award in the Netherlands.
His creative process when it comes to writing and recording is aligned with giving into the vibe at the moment. Every rehearsal is considered a session because you never know when you will produce a hit, so always be ready. Speaking of producing, he explained that he doesn’t make beats. He is more involved with vocal production, “It’s one thing to get a good melody and great lyrics. It’s another thing to deliver it and hit those key points in order to trigger an emotion.”
He was honoured to be featured on Spice’s Grammy Award Nomination for Best Reggae Album, 10, with the collaborative track, On Your Mind, and continues to marvel at her undeniable talent.
This year, the hitmaker was able to come back to where it all began. Upon his return to our green shores, Blackwood made the most of the opportunity, visiting places such as the Blue Mountain and he was blown away by the breathtaking scenery. “I am a fairly decent photographer so I got some good shots. And it was also raining so it was so amazing. I also went hiking. Something that I do a lot in California,” he shared.
While he was there for leisure, the artiste also integrated work into the mix, doing some filming for one of his music videos. He showcases two sides, singing under the genres pop and EDM, as well as reggae, confessing that he could never choose just one because they both speak to who he is as an artist.
Outside of melody, Blackwood is a proud father who loves making priceless memories with his beloved daughter. He also shines as an animal rights activist and has been a dog and cat rescuer.
Respected in the field, he hopes to remain consistent, never quit on anything he has started, continue to do what he loves, stay grounded and true to his roots and make his family, his community, and his country proud.