Hezron Clarke: Heart & Soul

Let’s hop right into this single, “Tik Tok, I’m Coming” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

I wanted to do a track on the album that was a little more sensual, for my female fans. Over the years, my female fans have asked me for a sexy song, they love my love songs, but they wanted something sexier. So, I decided to go on a track that had an old school sound, because I’m not a fan of the current trap sound, but make it modern. I am a fan of the app TikTok, but on the song I use it as a form of a countdown, tic, toc, and I put some modern keyboard sounds into an old school rhythm that was recorded live.

Of course, “Tik Tok, I’m Coming” comes courtesy of your new LP, M.O.A.M. (Man on a Mission) — Although self-explanatory, still tell me, conceptually, what this title represents both to and for you?

Man on a Mission represents a man that has a target, a man that has a plan, a man that, as an artist, decides that the journey continues and he won’t stop until he reaches his target; it’s real music on a mission, soul music on a mission, reggae music on a mission. Man on a Mission represents a mission to restore reggae music to greater prominence internationally and bring back something soulful to the market. It also represents the resilience to keep going, to keep making good music, reggae music, real heart and soul music, until it reaches a greater level of acceptance.

How then does M.O.A.M. (Man on a Mission) either differ and / or compare to previous efforts?

M.O.A.M. (Man on a Mission) differs from my previous efforts because greater resources were put into the production and the caliber of musicians who played on it. The collaborative efforts of the greatest of minds and talents in the industry played a significant part in the execution of the album.

This is a Tad’s Record project — What particular string of events actually led to this signing?

The release of (M.O.A.M.) Man on A Mission is a joint venture with Tad’s Record and my own label, Hardshield Records, it is a result of discussions we have been having since I licensed my first album, The Life I Lived, to Tad Records in 2014. Over the years, we have been discussing how we could collaborate in a deeper way. When (M.O.A.M.) Man on A Mission was completed and I sent it to him, we decided to make our discussions a reality.

As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?

I draw my inspiration from life, personal experiences and other people’s experiences. I like to think of my music as the soundtrack to people’s lives. A song might come to me when a person says something, maybe they make a profound statement, and it inspires a melody. I could be watching a movie and get an idea for a song. Sometimes I am just playing my guitar and words and melodies come, or I get a beat and write the lyrics to that. Once I get the right vibe, words start to come and they just flow, and next thing I know I am recording ideas and recording songs.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Hezron Clarke?

I am from a musical family, my grandfather, grandaunts and granduncles were all self-taught singers, so this is something in my bloodline, something I was destined to do. When I started going to church as a child, people found out I could sing and they let me do one song…but at that time, I was more interested in deejaying – Jamaican rapping – like Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer and Buju Banton; I was doing that for fun while going to school, I did some recordings with friends just to hear my voice on a riddim [rhythm track]. I got serious about music after I won a talent show in Miami, I got a really good response and I won $500.00 in the finals. That was 1998. After I won, I signed to a label, Fanatic Records, then I moved to Shang Records and I got some experience developing my craft along the way. I got a deal with Sony Records and I did a song called “Reggae Salsa,” and they loved it! I also had a brief relationship with Warner Music, they were interested in a song I did called “27 years.” Then I started working with Danger Zone Records, they had a partnership with Def Jam and then another label in Michigan called Wall St…but for reasons beyond my control, nothing came from any of those situations. Then I returned to Jamaica and the first single I released was “So in Love” in 2008 and it went to number 1 in 2009; that is when people started to hear about me.

Now you’re a native of where exactly? And growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

I am a native of Jamaica, a descendant of the Maroons. My greatest Jamaican influences were deejays Ninja Man, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton and singers Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Beres Hammond. I have also been influenced by Madonna, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Al Green and Luther Vandross.

Having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

My overall sound is blues mixed with reggae, vocally my style is soulful rhythm and blues mixed with reggae.

Switching gears here…

Longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this industry?

I believe a consistent level of making great music, continuing to be creative, being able to innovative-ly adapt and being true to who I am musically will sustain me in the industry.

To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

August 27th was my (M.O.A.M) Man On A Mission album release concert in Negril, Jamaica, and I am very proud of that show. I performed for over two hours, all original songs from my three albums. I witnessed fans singing along to my songs, some that were released years ago, and they knew all the words and that was a really a big deal to see that kind of response. The fact that the songs from Man on A Mission resonated so well, because the audience never heard them before was another major moment, and playing with my band, The Hardshield One Drop, who are the best musicians I have ever played with. A great accomplishment for me was recording the song “Warriors Code,” from my M.O.A.M. album, which is a collaboration with Native Americans, the Hopi and Navajo people, something that has never been done before. Another great career moment was when Shaggy heard my voice and wanted to do a song with me; we recorded “Two Places” in 2009.

What’s an average day like for you?

Every morning I make sure that I drink a glass of water with lemon, turmeric and ginger. After that, I blend kale, spinach, raspberry, blueberry, pumpkin seeds, beetroot, chia seed, almonds, carrots, banana; I drink that, then I go to the gym. I come back home, take care of personal stuff…then it is music for the rest of the day.

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

I interact with fans on social media or if we meet up in the street or at a show, I will sign an album for them or take a photo. I always make time for my fans because I am so grateful for their support.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

My favorite part of the music industry is the creative part, songwriting, recording, producing and live performances, I love all of that. My least favorite part is the business side.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

I have been patient, firm, and maybe stubborn for so long that I cannot give the best advice because I took the hard way. I took the path of pride, artistic integrity, moral principles, Godliness…and I don’t know if these qualities are so popular for the next man, but all I can say is I lead by example and anyone who wishes to follow can follow.

Lastly, what’s next for Hezron Clarke?

The promotion of the album, (M.O.A.M.) Man On A Mission continues, with touring and other means of getting this music out to the world.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

No.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

I will close with lyrics from “Man on A Mission”: “we are ordinary people doing extraordinary things, smallest tides rock the biggest boats, so who says it can’t be done? Here I am, ready for the task at hand, ready with a clasp of hands, here I am, I’m a man on a mission.”