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Rebel Lion Sound System have been pivotal in the Norfolk Reggae scene for the past 18 years, working with many high profile artists on the world music scene and helping to develop younger talent in the county.

They have now bagged themselves a support slot with prestigious UK Hip-Hop act SWAY at the Norwich Arts Centre, as part of the finale for the Norfolk Black History Month 2008.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Norfolk Introducing managed to speak to Tim and Finbarr Carter, also known as Maka T and Militant Man, about how they started out, what they have achieved and what advice they could give up to and coming acts in Norfolk's black music scene.

Tim Carter at the controls

Totally Reggae

Rebel Lion Sound System are celebrating their 18th birthday this year. Tim, being the main sound operator of the sound system, began performing Reggae music from a very young age whilst living in London.

Finbarr, being Militant Man on the microphone, concerns himself with the act's promotion and ensures everyone at all levels is happy. He joined his brother with Rebel Lion ten years ago.

TC: I got into performing mainly through seeing other acts as a teenager and I've never really looked back.

FC: I became involved in Rebel Lion at a much later state. I moved to Norwich at the tender age of 16, simply to see what was going on.

Back then there used to be bits and bobs of what was a very good Reggae scene, but it was coming towards its end. I therefore DJ'd for others before Tim moved here to join forces with another local sound system. Before you knew it, Rebel Lion was born!

What were the main influences behind Rebel Lion's strictly Reggae sound?

TC: My favourite sound in London for many years was called Jah Shaka and I followed that across London and the UK. It got into my blood. I've never looked back on that – now it's strictly Reggae all the way.

FC: Growing up in London, we had some neighbours across the road who used to play their music so loud you could hear it in your own house and they were quite a good influence on us. I got into reggae later than the others.

I remember my brother used to play the music and I used to hear the bass through the walls. He once said to me "You may not like it now Finbarr, but when it gets you, it won't let go" and it never did.

The concept of a sound system may sound confusing to people outside of the black music scene. What's it all about?

FC: We will play other people's music and then get them to come down and sing with us. It’s a real Reggae tradition in a sound system. What happens is every record has got a vocal side and then it's got a dub or instrumental. We'll then bring in artists from around the country and further afield to sing over them and make the tracks unique to us.

How much then are Rebel Lion looking forward to playing alongside someone as famous as SWAY?

TC: We are really looking forward to playing with SWAY. We've played with a lot of other big artists in the country, but SWAY is a first for us. We are looking forward to the response from the crowd.

FC: SWAY is a really big name on the Hip-Hop scene, so it's great to be doing the warm up for him.

We will be working with two other singers on the night. There's a guy that’s been making and singing music since he was ten called Vybz Kid from West London and a guy from Tobago called Dan de lion whose been locally raised in Norwich since he was about 12. For the last few years he's been singing with us and now he's gone huge singing across Europe, so it should be a great night.

The concert with SWAY is for the finale of the Norfolk Black History Month in 2008 and the Rebel Lion Sound System are no strangers to the cause. Finbarr in fact used to be one of the coordinators of the event. Rebel Lion believe the month is very important for helping black music thrive in Norfolk.

Finbarr at St Benedicts street party

TC: For us, Black History Month helps promote our work every year and advertise us in a way we could never afford to. It also brings in artists that we could never gain access to otherwise.

FC: I used to coordinate Black History Month and we've been doing events for it for the last four years.

When I first came to Norwich, I went up to a guy at City College Norwich and he said "Do you like Reggae music? I don't like standing that close to black people". Where I come from, I couldn't ever imagine anyone ever saying anything like that, so for me it's not just about promoting Reggae music, it's about promoting the culture that's with it.

I guess Black History Month is a great opportunity to show the huge contributions that black people make to this country and I think music is a great medium through which to bring people together.

Some people question why there's a need for Black History Month, but until the racism has gone and black history is thoroughly acknowledged in the UK, then there's still a need for it.

What is the black music scene really like then in Norfolk?

TC: It's interesting. Norfolk has a majority white community, but there's a lot of music that's black influenced. A lot of people used to criticise us in London for being white guys playing black music, but I think music is for all people.

Norwich has a thriving Reggae scene. There's a number of Reggae sound systems such as Free Kings Sound System, Foundation Sound and some younger guys coming up too, such as Roots Renegade.

Norwich has a really good Hip-Hop scene as well, most notably Def Tex and another artist called DPF who's making a bit of a storm. Anna Mudeka, from Zimbabwe, has been making a storm here for quite a few years, but hopefully people already know about her.

What advice would Rebel Lion give to young acts starting out in music?

TC: If you're just starting out, you've really got to prepare yourself for a long slog. It's hard work, it's going to cost a lot of money and you need to love what you're doing - being dedicated beyond all belief.

There will be a lot of long nights when everyone's gone home and in bed and you're still loading speakers, folding up wires and arguing with management.

Finbarr Carter and Lee 'Scratch' Perry

FC: In terms of people getting into the music scene, I think they should go for it. There's always more room for people to come and get involved. It's about being passionate about what you're doing and promoting yourself - letting people out there know you're out there. That can be through Myspace or posters, but also network with others.

People In Norwich are really willing to work together. Take advantage of local resources - ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Norfolk and Future Radio are there to help young musicians. Our biggest mission, however, is to get venues that like big loud Reggae music, but we're working on that!

What does the future hold for Rebel Lion Sound System?

TC: The future at the moment is very open. We have a lot of invites to go to other countries in Europe. We played a festival in the south of France last year and are hoping to do that again, plus possibly play in Italy and Holland.

FC: We've been going for a long time, playing with the biggest and best names in Reggae, so I'm working through my love list of artists that I think are amazing.

Europe is where Reggae is really happening at the moment. There are huge scenes in France, Belgium and Spain, so I want to get out there. However, I also want to support some of the younger guys coming up in Norwich because there's loads of youth battalions for Reggae out there. Onwards and upwards!