Peter Metro ‘up like 11’ - Veteran is nostalgic over Echoes of Sound award

March 04, 2020
Peter Metro (right) says thanks after receiving his award from Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange.
Peter Metro (right) says thanks after receiving his award from Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange.
Peter Metro
Peter Metro
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The names Peter Metro and Metro Media carry a lot of weight in the music industry, and last Saturday, both were honoured at the inaugural staging of Echoes of Sound, an event poised to become a signature Reggae Month activity.

During the 80s, Peter Metro was a lyrical game changer in the music business, and he has not lost that slick wit.

During an interview with THE STAR at the event, he was quick to point out that he is not 'six', he is 'dozen', a sly reference to the Squash-led 6ix crew, and that his is "not 'up like seven', I stand up like 11".

Peter Metro is not fond of some of the songs he hears today, but he has plenty of respect for many of the current acts.

"I rate Koffeee more than anything else because her lyrics have substance. She is not like these likkle guys who are deejaying about alcohol and dem money and cars and how much gun dem have," he said.

The veteran deejay says that although the music business today is not what it used to be, he is not perturbed, as good music will always live.

Bathroom studio

"The music has made a lot of transitions from my time until now. The lyrics, the riddims and the producers have changed. Back in the days, we used original musicians and go in the studio. Now a man just go in him bathroom studio and him have a computer and him just pick the drum from the computer and record," he said. "But the good thing is that once you have a good song, it will get popular in no time."

Like Third World, Peter Metro says that there is more work to be done. In addition to doing shows in Jamaica, he is prepping for an overseas tour and continues to record.

"I am enjoying dancehall and stage show same way. I just did a show called Rockers Takeover and I have a concert coming up in Ocho Rios. Me and Burru (Banton) looking to go on tour soon. And congrats to Burro because him just get an award too," Peter Metro said.

Currently working with a producer, Cuban, who owns the Jefe de Musica label, Peter Metro is allowing his song, Banger , to soak into the minds of the people.

" Gimme di banger phone, mi love di banger phone," he quickly reeled off a piece of the lyrics.

Formerly the resident Metro Media deejay, he had mega hits in the 80s like Dedicated To You, Back Way Talk, Police Inna England, Nuh Put It Deh and The Girl Is Mine.

Throughout the period, he collecteded an armful of trophies for winning coveted titles such as 'Deejay of the Year' and 'Most Consistent Deejay'.

After collecting yet another award last Saturday, he told THE STAR that he was thrilled.

"The feelings I have right now is of nostalgia. It brings back memories from the days from in the 80s when we used to deejay right through the year and at the end of the year we receive an award. This is overwhelming," he said passionately.

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