Fred Locks "Reggae Artist In The 80's Used Cocaine Because They Believed It Helped Them Sing Better"

Here is a 'unreleased' footage of a reasoning we did with Fred Locks January 2017 at Caveman Studio at Skate Land in Kingston, Jamaica.
In this clip Fred Locks shares what he believes is the reason so many legendary reggae artist used cocaine.
He also speaks about the struggles Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs had with cocaine.
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[@marvinsinclair9245]

The rass know

[@peacemaker4391]

The locks too heavy look like it gonna bruck u neck

[@adrianbennett9875]

Yo his impersonation of Gregory Isaacs is just spot on........ Absolutely brilliant

[@robert7070]

His Gregory Isaac voice impersonation is on point!

[@JonathanRodriguez-lh5mb]

Had me laughing! 😂

[@starsesay5521]

Sound just like him fi true lol

[@senawabey2929]

Real Talk

[@kennydust]

LOL

[@killamanjaro8908]

True

[@KushArt]

Yes bredren tell them......we elder reggae artists don't need cocaine to sing better.....this devil stuff it poisons the soul and mind.....all we need is our voice our talent.. ...Stay healthy and strong bredda Fred.....Big up your empress.....Blessed love💚💛❤

[@MarkScott76584]

The bobylon system wants our people dead that’s why Dennis Brown and Gregory Issacs aren’t herw

[@mizrelmizrel]

"They've" been turning Us out for decades. We always fall for the BS 🤦🏽‍♀️ It's good some survived to tell the tale 🙌🏽❤️🖤💚

[@NextSound170]

Secretly wanted to kill the music

[@xinahicks13]

@@NextSound170 So what’s the reason for Rap Muzik?

[@NextSound170]

@@xinahicks13 The one who quick to question slow to understand.

[@MrAlistar99]

​@@NextSound170looool

[@two9parkave]

The truth at last. No one talks about that aspect of the industry!!

[@stuartgorman]

I'm a big fan of Fred locks it's good to see him in interview he was the first reggae singer I listened to back in 83 been seriously into reggae ever-increasing what a journey and it was him that inspired me I been West indies four times and I've delayed reggae in my hometown a few times I did play just like a bird look how them sing a long in the trees made quite a few friends through the music what a start and it was Fred locks blackstar liners that did it many thanks Fred respect

[@goddessyemaya4301]

Yes!! Mr. Fred Locks good to see you after so many years. Hail up Twelve Tribe, Tally Gad ♥️💛💚🙌

[@derekmullings1507]

Fred Locks is great. Quality not quantity.

[@jamaicanking45]

We fans need more interviews about Dennis Brown

[@indigoGoddess7]

🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@80sfam76]

Dennis brown is my favourite reggae Artist.. Da Crown Prince 👑

[@cartervanpelt]

Prince!

[@kayagirlniknik8108]

Mine too!!!

[@floydjarvis2161]

Great interview! Big Up Fred Locks, Trod on in Zion D.Brown and Cool Ruler. For a better over standing on this occurrence see "The Ganja Complex: Rastafari and Marijuana" by Ansley Hamid, and specifically chapter 6 "The Ganja Complex in Brooklyn: The Rise and Fall of the Marijuana Complex and the Advent of Cocaine. I am a cannabis policy expert, and this interview sheds light on how the US government was implicit in eradicating successful and beneficial illicit ganja operations; while abetting regimes that were favorable to narco cocaine states, which were detrimental to both home and away populations.

[@rootsmadiaqtv7091]

Hard Drugss Mash Up Them Head🤣🔥🔥🔥🔥👊🏾

[@notnice4214]

He’s right Dennis sadly did turn to drugs heavy. My dad was a longtime friend of his and when he came to Philadelphia and we went to see him, I could not believe this was the man I knew as a child. I still love Dennis Brown, the best of all time.

[@rickyyyy2781]

My singer

[@MarkScott76584]

It’s not Dennis Brown fault it’s the bobylon system

[@indigoGoddess7]

Thank you so much for sharing! I will forever listen to them because they sing from the heart ❤️✨🎉🔥✨🎊

[@MsWildberry1]

What a fantastic video really fullenjoyed this mini documentary. Fred Locks you are a treasure.

[@sitstill1561]

We need more of these stories 🙌

[@anikanola5983]

I could listen to him talk all day,blessings ❤️🖤💚

[@marshallnunezjr.7684]

Fulljoy this one iyah. Keep it coming. More love Rastafari Chirldren

[@jahservantgad9042]

Loving the testimonial account of Big brother Fredlocks

[@errylattik1507]

...I'm still looking for a Dennis Brown documentary!

[@JacqlynCharles]

Love this

[@RasCricketSmallAxe]

I played guitar tracks, keys and bass, for ‘igher Fred Locks = Tru Rasta. We nah deal no crack or coke. And this man commands that purity and I full respect that

[@marlonmiller5527]

Nice clip

[@kingsaint5759]

As Garnet Silk once said, a man is just a man, and man is prone to weaknesses, even in Rastafari, But as Rastafari, we must set example for the world to look and follow, because men and people will have plenty to say, so don't give them reason....

[@Ahuuakh-Amerindian]

GRATITUDE mi king...... 🙏🏽

[@TonyJudahCorbinMusic]

It goes to show even with the best intentions we are only human, with strengths and weaknesses.

[@brandonsingh3395]

Gratitude 🙏🏾

[@michellemalcolm6206]

I've got a JOY/JAH see and KNOW big tunes meh Idren BIGUP yourself big, big big big big big big tune!!!!!!🇹🇹🇹🇹❤️💛💚🖤 Sisthren TUNEIN Inna Trinidad Town with your music meh Idren 🇹🇹🎵🎶🎶🎶🔥🔥🔥

[@dbarrington5191]

“Fetch him.”😂😂😂😂. “Am not asking you am telling you.”😂😂😂.😂. The musicians & the artistes have some serious history. More please 😂😂😂

[@bunandcheese4445]

Big Up Fredlocks!

[@iyabynghi7052]

Jah kno star.. dis heartbreaking!!!

[@truthseeker6541]

The legand that is Fred Locks a fine raconteur too. Good old days!

[@jamaicanking45]

I found this video by searching for Dennis brown 🕊🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@michelrood2966]

Legend

[@patrickdaley2894]

Niceness Sir Fred Locks a dread locks💯

[@TheWisestCompanyOnEarth]

His comment on context with cursing is genius, and the European system is brilliant. And the "rocking on nerves" of artist making art is brilliant.

[@koont666]

Best rasta fisherman ,my favourite Mr black Star liner big love Fred 🍀🇬🇧👍🏼

[@jerriavit9music6]

*In the words of Whitney Houston..."crack is whack." 🤔👊🏾✊🏿🇯🇲*

[@roseyedwards3140]

I knew Dennis and Gregory from the mid 1980's and loved them as elder brothers. I spent time in the studios with them and breaking bread and reasoning with the beloved Crown Prince especially and I never heard either of them say that "coke helped them sing better?! "...

[@nattylox]

Everyone knows about the downfall of D Brown and GI through their "habits" yet Buju still chose freely to get involved with its distribution. It's easy to talk about these bredrin now they are dead and gone but people are shook to talk about the ones who are living and falling for the same crap

[@RobertCarvalhoUK]

The industry is run on coke..why because money has to be made at all costs. When I hear these stories, I have to look at the bigger picture, most of these musicians come from poverty or not but the problem is the lack of education about the industry and what to do with your money when you get it. Depending on the amount, buy a house invest etc…as this industry will burn you out. All of the greats had their own labels etc but I’m assuming it’s the want of needing more that’s makes them want to experience the fullness of the trappings. There was some great reggae music made via various labels especially Island but if I’m to think these labels were there to benefit the artists I’m lying to myself. Poor contracts in place, the lack of genuine lawyers or sound advice given. To later find out none of the musicians are talking to each other because everyone is protecting themselves meanwhile the record companies and publishers have taken everything. Yes we’re all human and fallible, but artists etc should know when to bow out especially when violence, hard drugs etc creep in. Somewhere like JA has produced extensive talent, so hold on why hasn’t the Govt stepped in and said let’s own this and protect our artists etc. Help them build, instead we see criminality and hustling even with contracts in place. Unfortunately most of the Govts in and outside of the Caribbean are corrupt and partake in the trading of coke. Where is Rasta in all of this, the moral code and ethics?. I heard a certain drummer would be carrying a gun in the studio sessions…why?. Hold on isn’t the studio a place where music is supposed to be created?. It’s all entertainment and show biz……?.

[@senawabey2929]

On point in every way.

[@boobizzy4173]

Where can I find that track of the artist singing at the end of the video?

[@rasngaboofficial]

Respect king

[@hailemikael]

Nice to hear Fredlocks

[@hailemikael]

Dennis Brown learn from his white muso colleague s. His story commited singer, loved by us. Same for Gregory.

[@Higher_Sun_Highzak]

Doctor dread from Ras Records is one such culprit who introduce coke into his business dealings with reggae artists in the early 80s

[@gazastripmad]

This is why these rock bands in the US 🇺🇸 back in them times was always energetic they were on them hard drug's.

[@ganjafarmer1572]

Talk up Fred Locks. I saw it with my own eyes, on the road with D Brown and Gregory. Man them come offa plane and the pusher is there waiting.....

[@rootsextra]

🙏🏿💯

[@blackwolverine1]

The Drug game played a huge role in Reggae music at one point. I read a good number of artists took cook to "stay up", for long periods of time. Jamaican Gangsters/Dealers during the mid to late 80s and early 90s. Where a huge force to be reckoned with when it came to the Drug game. I even heard some Sound System Operators, Promoters and Music Producers dabbled in this. I gotta say this, but if it wasn't for Drug culture (The Economic aspect). Reggae, particularly Dancehall would be a different beast altogether.

[@ftwdamfseyg]

If u was in Brooklyn around the dancehall scene in the 80s u knew that almost every singer was smoking crack, because when they touch down that was the first thing they wanted and it was more open than in Jamaica , even the dealers was smoking alot of people got caught up not just singers either

[@djinkastluqman2261]

Hey! Im a real music DJ. I like this interview

[@thelinkagency1]

So wha'ppen to good ole Bizzi!.. Di original Natural Coca seed? That keep you well up!... I used it alll the way through Uni, Rasta ah mek dem excuses der??

[@seanmakhards1020]

I saw Dennis at Sunsplash 85 first time he could not sing more than 15 m coke. 4 mths later as I going to a show at arena Dennis open for Third World he came on radio implore folks to cone to show admitted to his struggles but that he was foing better..wow he mashed up the Arena half crowd left after i saw him abouy 10 more times always the top of his game .

[@lorenalexander882]

💖 Stafford Elliott 💖 The Cultural Truth Be Told

[@gertrudeisaac7539]

P.T. "They will come with great pretence to gain your confidence..." Trademark of so call "friends". Denis should've known coke isn't men ace card; coke is a menace, to all men, period. SAD. JAH LIVE JAH BLESS

[@Nkosi766]

Fred Locks : great man , great story teller. Hey do you have anything on Ras Gabby ? “ long hair freaky ppl” great 🎵 song

[@filbertlulan3519]

Nkosi the singer you are inquiring about name is RAS KARBI not RAS GABBY

[@Nkosi766]

@@filbertlulan3519 why thank you

[@Nkosi766]

@@filbertlulan3519 4 the correction

[@EabProductions]

Peter Tosh said in his song Mystic Man “I want sniff no cocaine”

[@luceinbattaglia9425]

Coke is the worst shit with alcool and tobacco. Ganja is the medical solution to those fuckeries🙏Give tnx and praises to the most high. Rastafari! One love💚💨

[@djuanfort6944]

Yes I indeed bredren. Coke, alcohol is not the works of Rastafari, but it's Babylon! Ones cannot mix the two and be Rastafari! Rastafari is a Divine livity! Rastafari is the Almighty! No play play business. Selah. IYah!

[@markspringer716]

Not even the herb good again ...GMO

[@luceinbattaglia9425]

@@HolyRollerTV In fact smoking is the worst way to assume ganja but anyway the medical benefits are major than the lungs intoxication. Too much ignorance on this regard.. Don’t speak if you don’t know.

[@markspringer716]

@@HolyRollerTV every human being was born with 3 appetites ...1 for food ...1 for sex and procreation and 1 for God ....the appetite for God is misconstrued ...our souls remember the nirvana of God's presence ...this is the only reason why people get high on whatever.....it is a physical attempt to attain that which is spiritual ....

[@markspringer716]

@@HolyRollerTV I stand up straight but U bend up and crooked

[@mrknoklene]

And it did help them sing better! But the price is HIGH HIGH HIGH

[@dcz9490]

No it did not…cocain destroyed Gregory’s teeth and thefore his voice…i know many records that would be legendary if gregory still had teeth, for example his colaboration with Demba Conte

[@mrknoklene]

@@dcz9490 exactly

[@paulreuben7343]

i think fred was hoping the interviewer would push him to talk more about Dennis, Gregoty Leroy Smart etc

[@michellemalcolm6206]

FREDLOCKS another sweet voice reggae ICON!!!!!!!!🇹🇹❤️💛💚🖤🪖🎶🎵🇹🇹

[@JimmyGambiniEsquire]

Yeah how many w a negative comment about those times they were just a child themselves and no understanding the music go w the times the fashion the talent all all w it. Could a never know just a whine and judge

[@damobbmusiq464]

Even today dancehalll artist is using cocain.

[@fhenlizhao5406]

True...

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

Lie

[@edmundatkinson5424]

Pace yourself and perform your best don’t have to rev yourself out

[@yumjoystyle2]

The "J -ooze" that own the record companies know how to get you hooked on drvgz, then own you for life.

[@ryan72232]

Rip cool ruler and crown Prince 👑

[@edmundatkinson5424]

I feel so disappointed Jah know the lack of strength against the pressure it is very disappointing especially those artists that sing of great understanding

[@natty.roots.423]

Dennis EMANUEL Brown MY King 🤴 of REGGAE!

[@jimmyandtheresurrection7247]

JAH is i man high in i man low!!

[@JohnDoe-dx7bu]

No one talk about bobs use?

[@seanmakhards1020]

Ziggy said he saw

[@JohnDoe-dx7bu]

An this comment is not to say them any less of human being, everyone choose choices in life, live an let live I say, but some put out certain things so it make them look like him was some immortal being dat not make mistake. Rasta deal wid reality an reality seh dem ting wha'ppen but dem still greatest Jah Know!

[@douglasbrown1194]

Big difference between pure coke and crack D Brown and G Issac were on crack.

[@selassiesuntstv7040]

Finally the truth

[@natty.roots.423]

Hear mi no BOMBOCLAT word no bad!

[@johnnyjohnson7642]

The crack epidemic was worse than aid's it was a pandemic in black America,then went into the west indies in the 1980"$, via some singers of songs& players of instruments, reefer"$,weed heroin was also very used in rock& roll,acid,LSD,etc. Was normal in music industry,learn this

[@AllOuttaBubblegum123]

The government in the US encouraged the supply

[@normanbrown9225]

It's very seldom that the First bite of the Apple got Adamah and Eve hooked, it was the Second Bite. Don't take the 1st then there won't be a second.

[@mrmegabuckssongs]

Can someone please tell me who the artist is at the very end singing?

[@zacharyhazard6646]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGe4i4qahLObhM0

[@hailabbajanhoy777]

The artist name is Autarchii. blissings and wadada

[@nixonkwanzaatimothy286]

You are of Rasta and there are standards no compromise!

[@mduzulu3033]

Except Peter Tosh

[@nobull772]

People were convinced that smoking weed out of coconut bongs and wrapped around banana leaves got you THAT high.

[@shadowlessgam]

This is sad fr 😢

[@BoSSLeVeLs]

Bruh back in the day if it was in the dance You could smell it they put a pinch in the joint Stank the yard out

[@jahfus]

My dad and Gregory Isaac was best friends back in the 70s to early 80s hence my nick name Gregory. and he said Gregory Isaac was a real real real hot stepper back then, literally. My dad and my 7 uncles were very bad people. Very very bad.

[@carmel-wayfinder5401]

❤️💛💚🖤🔥

[@djinkastluqman2261]

I am also a cousin of Gregory Isaac

[@fab-factor.space.]

The cool ruler Gregory was a known user of the white stuff!

[@spamspam7265]

What in the Dennis brown you ah seh

[@swaggboss5182]

Fab 5 is the beginning of hip hop facts prove and dj red alert

[@blackrootunderground1002]

Such wickedness with manipulation. Smh

[@Jay-hr3rh]

Why do you guys think raggae music went from slow and mellow, English speaking, to fast and patois chatting?

[@Jay-hr3rh]

@@HolyRollerTV Good point.

[@ishayisrael9057]

Demise of Lies

[@leoneforte444]

Natural coca from the coca plant made into a tea is ok but making it unnatural and snorting it is bad

[@emiledaley3]

Mash up Tiger ,King evrald, malvo and many more artiste but if don't know you don't know

[@zumaanandrade3961]

Fetch him! Lmao.

[@HeadSlime]

Lol big marble

[@macknificenttvmcgee8591]

Whole heep of pressure in tour life. Tough to explain it. Artist must have proper diet rest and spiritual life. Seen!!!

[@shawnkanhai6091]

He said 2 white men came with the bag. Blood fyahhhhh

[@dkboss2412]

Singing on a stage for 4hours isn't easy that's why Dennis Brown took cocaine..cocaine can make you go for hours without sleep

[@DHM_TV-s4k]

How drugs help you sing betta

[@djterrorist4819]

Majority of the artists back then was cokehead

[@fhenlizhao5406]

Bounty killer said it. That being a dj usually meant you are a known drug dealer and user.

[@thatguy7028]

This story makes no sense. Someone help me out pls.

[@GTMarmot]

Dennis Brown was an ace reggae singer ("crown prince of reggae") who made some fucked up decisions and destroyed himself. But it was the 80s - not unusual