British Director Don Letts, known for films like One Love starring Ky-mani Marley and Dancehall Queen has released his debut solo album titled “Outta Sync.” In an interview, with the Financial Times, the 67-year-old multifaceted artist who is also a DJ, and a key figure in the U.K.’s punk and reggae scenes, discusses his musical journey, the impact of the Windrush generation on the UK, and the creative process behind his latest musical venture.
Between 1977 and 1996, Letts directed some of the most iconic music videos such for The Clash, Eddy Grant, Musical Youth and Bob Marley‘s “One Love”, “Get Up Stand Up” and “Waiting In Vain.” Still, he says he is not able to retire, both physically and artistically. He keeps a photo with the iconic Bob Marley close to him, and lays claim to being the Influence for Marley to soften his aversion to punk fashions which lead to the recording of “Punky Reggae Party”.
“Outta Sync” which was originally supposed to be released in April, then got pushed to September 29 emerged as a pandemic project, initiated by producer Martin “Youth” Glover, then evolved into an album that deftly navigates various music styles, from reggae to pop and rock.
It is led by the title track produced by Gaudi which explores the duality of Letts’ musical identity, reflecting on his upbringing “raised on pop and bass.” Another single titled ‘Wrong’ was also released Z
“I describe myself as black British now, but it took a bloody long time for that to mean something. It took a long time for us to embrace what we were, which was this hybrid existence: black and British,” he told the Financial Times.
The RXTA directed music video for the single was shot on location on the Rio Grande in Portland, Jamaica.
The Grammy winning film director and radio DJ describes the album as “Totally me” on his Instagram saying, “this album is totally me. The sum total of my whole cultural journey is on this record, and it reflects the duality of my existence, which is Black and British. It’s essentially a soundtrack to my mind, with some wicked bass lines.”
Born in 1956 to Jamaican immigrants during the Elvis Presley era, Letts describes the evolution of the “black British” identity and its significance, citing Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie” for which he directed the music video as a pivotal cultural moment for black British people.
“I don’t think a lot of people realise but it was a major cultural totem for black British people. It had the same impact on my generation as Millie Smalls’ [1964 hit] ‘My Boy Lollipop’ did for my parents. In other words, it gave them a sense of pride, a sense that ‘we’re here’. For me, [‘Pass the Dutchie’] was the beginning of black and British beginning to mean something,” he said. Musical Youth was the 4th most played reggae act last year on Spotify and “Pass The Dutchie” was the No.1 most streamed reggae song. The classic reggae track has sold more than five million copies worldwide including a Gold certification in the U.K. in 1982.
Living in London’s Kensal Rise, Letts recalls his roots in Brixton, where he inherited his father’s passion for music and became the first resident DJ at the Roxy in 1976. He played reggae for the emerging punk scene, bridging different musical realms.
Letts attributes his success to his impeccable taste, a quality he considers paramount. He believes that Caribbean immigrants brought style and culture to the UK, emphasizing their importance in shaping the nation’s cultural landscape.
“As far as I’m concerned, my only real discernible talent is having good taste,” he says. This is a crucial quality for Letts, a form of self-fashioning. He reckons that style is the gift that Caribbean immigrants brought to the UK. “Take the Windrush generation out of the mix and what you got left? You’ve got ‘Greensleeves’ and fucking Coronation Street,” he said.
“Outta Sync” features a diverse array of guests, including actor John Cusack and Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips, along with Hollie Cook, daughter of Sex Pistols’ drummer Paul Cook. However, Letts reveals that permission to use the vocals of his friend Terry Hall of The Specials was rescinded after his passing last December. The circumstances remain undisclosed, but Letts expresses his deep disappointment and raises questions about ownership of culture in the music industry.
“As far as I’m concerned it’s a business versus art thing. It raises the question: who owns the culture?” he said.
Don Letts’ “Outta Sync” is now available on streaming platforms.
