In a brief interview with MJ27, veteran recording artist Hopeton Lindo reveals that his tune, “Mi Selecta,” which features Sly & Robbie, was done to show appreciation to reggae-dancehall selectors and sound-systems. See the full conversation below.
MJ27: You are considered to be one of the best songwriters in the industry. How do you approach songwriting?
Hopeton Lindo:For me, songwriting is a blessing from the Almighty. I write lyrics based on the vibes at the time. My lyrics comes naturally with melody so I’m able to guide the musicians, other times when I’m writing on a riddim I let the riddim speak to me. Sometimes I wake up very late at night with a song in my head and record the melody and idea urgently as a good melody can be easily forgotten.
MJ27:Why did you decide to go dubplate style on the Zoom Dancehall Riddim?
Hopeton Lindo: The great Sly Dunbar sent me the zoom dancehall riddim and I wrote and recorded Mi Selecta song same day. The riddim spoke to me and it had to be a tuff dancehall street vibes style. So I decided to pay tribute to all selectors by doing a dub clash tribute, I guess you can call it a free dub to show my appreciation for their support. Sly said the tune is a wicked hit and we both agree this is the follow up to my big hit Territory which dub have been winning sound clashes all over the world.
MJ27:What do you want listeners to take away from “Mi Selecta” once they’ve heard it?
Hopeton Lindo: The take away that I would like listeners to get is that it’s my tribute to the sound system fraternity who I don’t think is getting enough credit for their contribution to reggae music and the dance clash culture. In the video we featured the immortal Stone Love sound and crew with Fadda Pow and special guest selector the legendary Jack Scorpio as a special tribute and all this was intentional as respect is due.
MJ27:Can you speak briefly about the challenges and benefits of wearing so many hats in the business: producer, songwriter, artist?
Hopeton Lindo:Wearing many hats in music as singer, songwriter and producer can be challenging but I love what I do and embrace it as a blessings.
MJ27:Is there anything you would like to mention that I did not ask about?
Hopeton Lindo:Check out my recent album entitled Purpose, also I would like to encourage other artists to stay focused, keep putting in the work, learn the business part of the music, believe in yourself and trust God. Teamwork makes the dream work.
“Mi Selecta” is featured on the “Zoom Dancehall” compilation released late last year via Taxi Records and One Pop Music, and its official video premiered on YouTube months prior to the full project going live on streaming platforms.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 