Forward-motion
formula

>> The sun never sets on Empire Isis,
Quebec’s duchess of dancehall

CHATTING FI REAL: Empire Isis

By ERIN MACLEOD

Even with folks like Matisyahu and Gentleman gaining major ground as non-Jamaican reggae artists, a six-foot-tall blonde woman chatting on the mic still raises those same concerns about identity and authenticity. The crowd makes or breaks (sometimes quite literally) a dancehall artist, and Quebec’s Empire Isis has the guts and gumption to take on the challenge. Having toured with Capleton and I Wayne, Isis has faced the pressure, and has come out swinging with a new record—a hip hop/R&B-tinged dancehall album called Sound the Trumpets. Over a cup of tea, Ms. Isis talked with the Mirror about where she’s from and what she wants to do.

Mirror: How did you get started?

Empire Isis: I was making documentaries about alternative communities. I lived with the Trinidadian Bobo Ashanti Rastafarians, then lived amongst the Bobos in Bobo Hill. I was freestyling and someone said to me, “You got it. Why you nah chat fi real?” They understood what my father, from Uganda, who raised me, told me—you have a chance to do what a lot of African people and women can’t do. I met with musicians, Bushman, Dean Fraser, ended up in Tuff Gong [studio] recording and from there it snowballed.

M: Are you Rasta?

EI: I’ve never aligned myself. To be honest, it’s hard for me to recognize Haile Selassie as God. But Rastas still accept me. My beliefs are probably a mutation, because I grew up in a Muslim house. My beliefs are not about what I practise, but being a vehicle for all these different people. As an Arab woman, there are not a lot like me. I see myself as having a role for Arabs, Africans, Muslims, Rastas, the youth, for people who want to see change. I always dreamt of being the bridge between worlds.

M: And your role as musician?

EI: To bring about more dialogue. With my type of music, it’s to get into the youths’ heads. Omnikrom recently said, “We just write, we just want to have fun, who cares?” I think that if you choose this profession, take it seriously because you have power on the mic. Me, Sans Pression, Mikey Dangerous, Imposs, we talk about being accountable. The role of music is to involve the youth in change. We are too complacent. If only people could just watch what they say.

M: I was quite critical of your earlier music—you didn’t seem to really know who you were.

EI: My last album, I tried to do everything. Singing in Swahili, Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Wolof.

M: That may not have been the best plan.

EI: (laughs) No. But I give thanks for that experience because it brought me to this. I have my formula now. Everything boils down to that—you have to find yourself a formula. Nothing will stop me.

With les Surf Sisters, Magda and more at the
Back to the Future Hair Show at Kola Note on
Friday, Nov. 16, 8 p.m., $20; At Club 1234 on
Friday, Nov. 23, 10 p.m., $10; With Taurus Riley
at EB Club Lounge on Friday, Nov. 30, 9 p.m., $20