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Bibi's Heart of Love
'Baller' earning stripes as a deejayBy Yasmine Peru Entertainment editor peruy@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, January 18, 2008
Reggae Boy and Bolton Wanderers' defensive left wing Ricardo "Bibi" Gardener claims at least two passions - football and music. "If it wasn't for football, then maybe I would have been a deejay," the affable, almost-entertainer told Splash in a telephone interview earlier this week from his flat in Bolton, UK.
Bibi revealed that as a child it was his greatest pleasure to practise at home and then enter deejaying competitions in his community, and, he says he would always get good response from the audience.
"But then I started playing 'ball and I took that more serious than the deejaying," he recalled.
And, even though he is living his dream of playing football on an international level, his fascination with the dancehall and all things musical has not diminished. In fact, he is so enamoured with music that, despite his hectic schedule, he has taken the time to produce a few new artistes, he has recorded two singles of his own and he has completed a music video for one of his songs. Not bad for a man who has already made an indelible mark in another field of play.
Bibi's first single - and this one is really a 'no-brainer' - is entitled Move To Yuh Goal, and it is on (you probably guessed it) the World Cup riddim. So, in one move, he managed to combine his two loves. While his production team attests to the viability and suitability of the song, like most new artistes, Bibi suffered from lack of airplay. But that didn't deter him from putting out another track. His most recent effort as a mic chanter sees the star striker offering Mi Nuh Inna Dem Mix Up Ting. He emphasised, however, that his focus is still football, but getting intimate with the music on all levels was something he just had to do.
Bibi has found an outlet in a project called Heart of Love Productions, an outfit which scouts out, grooms and records new talent. Formed two years ago, the company is Gardener's 'baby' and he has invested heavily in it.
BIBI ... if it wasn't for football, then maybe I would have been a deejay.
"I am serious about the company, my commitment is coming straight from the heart," Bibi said simply.
Heart of Love is managed by his cousin Nigel "Nyah" Grant and Camaro Rowe, both of whom take their roles seriously and have a healthy respect for Bibbi's foray into music.
According to Nyah, "From them long time Bibi was all about music ... he always had a lyrics book with him and he knew all the words of every song. Heart of Love comes second only to his football career."
Now that he's into production, Bibi is credited with a keen ear for good music and a love for positive lyrics. "He's a Rastaman, and as long as the artiste is sending an uplifting message he will take a listen."
Heart of Love has so far scored modest success with the artistes in its camp. They were the ones who actually gave Erup the 'bus' he needed with a song called Seh Dem A Gangsta. Although he has since wandered away from the outfit, Erup is now basking in the glow of success with the single Click Yuh Finger.
And how did they manage to let Erup slip through their fingers? "Is just so the business go," Nyah said with a shake of the head. "Some artistes want to be managed and others don't."
The production house now has two artistes signed to their label, Tifa and a female artiste called Dejah and they are working with recognised producers such as Computer Paul, Mikey Bennett, Sukko, and Sam Diggy to make "top class music".
One of their challenges, according to Nyah is to get their artistes' voices heard. "We are a young entity doing clean, positive lyrics but radio play is the hardest thing to get. The same people who everyday complain about the poor state of the music are the same ones who just ignore our songs when we send it to them."
Nyah, however, will not be defeated. "That is not going to deter us. Really good lyrics is what Jamaica needs to hear right now. Heart of Love is here to make that change and provide spiritually uplifting music," he declared.
And, as to Bibi, he's looking forward to coming to Jamaica early in February for a football friendly. And with regards to the reinstatement of Rene Simoes as coach of the Reggae Boyz, he said, "I'm glad he's back."
'Baller' earning stripes as a deejayBy Yasmine Peru Entertainment editor peruy@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, January 18, 2008
Reggae Boy and Bolton Wanderers' defensive left wing Ricardo "Bibi" Gardener claims at least two passions - football and music. "If it wasn't for football, then maybe I would have been a deejay," the affable, almost-entertainer told Splash in a telephone interview earlier this week from his flat in Bolton, UK.
Bibi revealed that as a child it was his greatest pleasure to practise at home and then enter deejaying competitions in his community, and, he says he would always get good response from the audience.
"But then I started playing 'ball and I took that more serious than the deejaying," he recalled.
And, even though he is living his dream of playing football on an international level, his fascination with the dancehall and all things musical has not diminished. In fact, he is so enamoured with music that, despite his hectic schedule, he has taken the time to produce a few new artistes, he has recorded two singles of his own and he has completed a music video for one of his songs. Not bad for a man who has already made an indelible mark in another field of play.
Bibi's first single - and this one is really a 'no-brainer' - is entitled Move To Yuh Goal, and it is on (you probably guessed it) the World Cup riddim. So, in one move, he managed to combine his two loves. While his production team attests to the viability and suitability of the song, like most new artistes, Bibi suffered from lack of airplay. But that didn't deter him from putting out another track. His most recent effort as a mic chanter sees the star striker offering Mi Nuh Inna Dem Mix Up Ting. He emphasised, however, that his focus is still football, but getting intimate with the music on all levels was something he just had to do.
Bibi has found an outlet in a project called Heart of Love Productions, an outfit which scouts out, grooms and records new talent. Formed two years ago, the company is Gardener's 'baby' and he has invested heavily in it.
BIBI ... if it wasn't for football, then maybe I would have been a deejay. "I am serious about the company, my commitment is coming straight from the heart," Bibi said simply.
Heart of Love is managed by his cousin Nigel "Nyah" Grant and Camaro Rowe, both of whom take their roles seriously and have a healthy respect for Bibbi's foray into music.
According to Nyah, "From them long time Bibi was all about music ... he always had a lyrics book with him and he knew all the words of every song. Heart of Love comes second only to his football career."
Now that he's into production, Bibi is credited with a keen ear for good music and a love for positive lyrics. "He's a Rastaman, and as long as the artiste is sending an uplifting message he will take a listen."
Heart of Love has so far scored modest success with the artistes in its camp. They were the ones who actually gave Erup the 'bus' he needed with a song called Seh Dem A Gangsta. Although he has since wandered away from the outfit, Erup is now basking in the glow of success with the single Click Yuh Finger.
And how did they manage to let Erup slip through their fingers? "Is just so the business go," Nyah said with a shake of the head. "Some artistes want to be managed and others don't."
The production house now has two artistes signed to their label, Tifa and a female artiste called Dejah and they are working with recognised producers such as Computer Paul, Mikey Bennett, Sukko, and Sam Diggy to make "top class music".
One of their challenges, according to Nyah is to get their artistes' voices heard. "We are a young entity doing clean, positive lyrics but radio play is the hardest thing to get. The same people who everyday complain about the poor state of the music are the same ones who just ignore our songs when we send it to them."
Nyah, however, will not be defeated. "That is not going to deter us. Really good lyrics is what Jamaica needs to hear right now. Heart of Love is here to make that change and provide spiritually uplifting music," he declared.
And, as to Bibi, he's looking forward to coming to Jamaica early in February for a football friendly. And with regards to the reinstatement of Rene Simoes as coach of the Reggae Boyz, he said, "I'm glad he's back."
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