Fari sees the future in marijuana

Yaadcore, founder of 12 Yaad Records and resident selector for Protoje and the InDiggnation, has began a new project. The selector masterminded 'Dubwise Jamaica' to reintroduce authentic roots dub reggae music in spaces accessible to mainstream audiences, and is lauded as the first to play Kabaka Pyramid and Chronixx's music on Jamaican radio.

Now, the selector has switched gears to take on the artistic development of the newest reggae revivalist, Fari DiFuture.

Official visuals for Fari DiFuture's first single, called Farmer Man, premiered last week on popular music site, Reggaeville.com. The track is a complete remaster produced by Donovan Joseph and Earl 'Chinna' Smith, and is intended to celebrates Jamaica's cultural roots and highlight the necessity and importance of agriculture, as self-preservation is vital to Fari's 'livity'.

Images of Jamaican countryside, along with reels of ginger, coffee and other exports are juxtaposed with shots of former prime ministers and angry protesters.

Other images show a farmer reaping his harvest, and Fari singing atop a shipping pallet or leisurely blowing smoke beneath the shade of a mango tree.

"I want the Jamaican Government to treat [marijuana] more like an asset and spread more awareness where marijuana is concerned. There's a lot of health benefits that comes from the plant, and as you can see with the whole ballooning of the marijuana industry, is overseas players really benefiting, you know? That's what I and I wah see still. More awareness and just treat it like our asset," Fari told THE STAR.

Like some reggae revivalists before him, Fari DiFuture is a legacy performer.

Protoje's mother, Lorna Bennett, was a popular Jamaican voice with her song Breakfast In Bed, and Runkus' father is well-known dancehall deejay Determine. Fari's roots trace back to his mom and dad, Maizy and Winston Powell, both singers for the reggae group Midnight Riders.

"My parents impacted my career choices significantly because they were my first role models. It's an honour and also a blessing to have parents who are musicians," he said.

As a child, Fari received training as a vocalist as well as lessons in guitar and djembe drum.

"Is like them bestow the blessing upon I and I. So I just a carry on di mission same way fi make sure the name last forever," Fari told THE STAR.

Farmer Man's video release comes ahead of Fari's first solo EP, called ALKEBULAN, that will be released later this year.