 "Photo: Photo courtesy of A.S. Presents")
Pato Banton is coming to the stage of the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium tonight after spending seven years reaching out to the community where his two sons were shot.
Banton was born Patrick Murray in London and was raised in Birmingham, England. He produced 10 albums, the latest released in 2000. While on tour in 1999, Banton received the news that his sons were shot in a drive-by. The boys survived, but while many parents might have reacted in anger, the shooting inspired him to use his reggae talents to serve gang members and youth on the streets of Birmingham.
Banton's high profile gained him the respect of at-risk youth, and his love of music helped get them off the street. Banton started two organizations, Musical Connections and Music Links, which taught youth to create and record their own music, as well as dance, DJ, sing and emcee. Many Birmingham youth were inspired to go back to school, finish college and get jobs in the community because of Banton's work, he said.
Changing lives is a theme of Banton's life that is reflected by Mystic Roots, the band of Chico natives that plays with him on stage. The lead singer, Cootdog, got his inspiration to start the band after Banton invited him to come on stage during one of Banton's shows 12 years ago.
Mystic's energetic beats and Banton's catchy lyrics blend to create songs about respect for others, care of the earth, spirituality and various political issues.
While prepping for his upcoming West Coast tour, Banton took some time to talk about his inspiration and vision.
Q: It's really encouraging to hear how you reacted so positively to what happened to your family. What inspired you to react that way?
A: I consider myself to be a spiritual person, and I usually rely on my inspiration from Christ, and I always try to imagine, what would Christ do if he was in that situation? I think if I'd relied on my own thoughts, I would have probably run and shot somebody. But my spiritual level usually gives me more positive and long-lasting advice to make a positive change rather than do something stupid.
Q: So after all this, what brought you back to the stage and touring?
A: I think after seven years of giving back to my community, I felt it was time to continue the journey in a different direction. Music for me is not about the business. It's not about a career. Talent is a God-given thing. For me, to show my appreciation to God is to use my life and my talent to serve God and to serve people. I tour to share my thoughts, to share positive vibes and to touch people.
Q: Would you say that there's a common thread that ties all of your musical messages together?
A: Yeah, probably the words that come to mind are life experience. People always call me Mr. Positivity. No matter what life throws at me, I deal with it and try to be as real as I can. I always look at the long-term implications and stay positive about it. I think my faith in God really makes me believe that no matter what is happening in the world right now, eventually good will overcome evil, and that gives me the energy to stay positive about everything.
Q: Throughout your songs, you have a strong sense of hope that we can change the world around us and that it's never too late to change. You have a lot of faith in people, too.
A: Yes, I do, because all people, at their core, are good. Sometimes, we let different influences dictate to us how we are, but I believe there is a common thread through all people. There's a spiritual thread, and if people get in touch with their true selves, they are really beautiful and good.
Q: So what are your main goals right now as an artist?
A: For me, my main focus right now is to write a really good new album and to go out on the road - sometimes as an artist, sometimes just as a missionary going out and spreading the good news as a person on the street without any hype.
Q: Is there anything you want to leave our readers with?
A: Well, the one thing I want to say to the readers is to come out and see an awesome show, have a lot of fun. The energy of this show is really high. You'll be dancing and you'll be intellectually motivated, as well as physically enticed.
Banton will play at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the BMU Auditorium. Tickets are $10 at the box office and $13 at the door.
Kari Nelson can be reached at knelson@theorion.com
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