When Stephen and Chino took the Reggae Sumfest stage early Sunday morning, the Mcgregor boys commanded attention with their presence and style, as they sang hits after hits from their extensive catalogue. Stephen, who has produced songs for some of the biggest names in dancehall and international music, steps out of his comfort zone as he becomes a headline performer for the first time in Jamaica.
They introduced Freddie Mcgregor, their father in the second half of their one hour set. The captain of the Big Ship label was wheeled on stage on a huge white chair, making his first public appearance since suffering a stroke eight months ago.
“Through the Spirit of Christ, I am here tonight, so I thank you for your prayers and your well wishes.” Freddie paused to tell the audience to resounding cheers of support as Stephen shouted out “One Ship.”
“Push come to shove,” “I Am A Winner” were some of the hits Freddie sang as his boys and the over 10,000 patrons doubled as chorus for the Mcgregor legacy set.
WMV caught up with Stephen and Chino after their performance and they spoke about their legacy in Jamaica’s music industry, new album and why it’s important to build a catalogue of songs.
Chino, you had a trajectory of hits, how important is it to set an era that is yours?
It so important but you make them count too, pay attention to quality vs quantity, “From Mawnin” (Never Change) is over a decade old and you has see the crowd singing in 2023 same way, the crowd singing out every line and it brings out a level of nostalgia and of course “Di Genius” responsible for ushering the era.
You had clarity on stage and lotta people are saying the new singers aren’t articulate, any advice?
Shoot for the best, think outside the box and think broadly, we are not making music just for our people, we have to be mindful of people that don’t speak English, people from other regions and other countries. That is where the clarity is important, you want to make two clear enough that even if they don’t understand patois, they still get it.
Stephen, you have been behind the scenes, making big songs with John Legend, now you are on stage fresh like you are ready or the road?
The thing we started the set with on the stage is kinda soft launch, we have a collaboration we are coming out with called “The Sound Of The Ship,” a collaboration with me and Chino, dropping the first single “Look A Girl.”
Your Father came on stage and surprised everyone, because not everyone knew he was not moving, he performed with a warrior’s spirit, what was that process like rehearsing with him?
That’s the level of normalcy for him, he has been performing his entire life, from seven years old, him getting on stage especially the in front of his people in Jamaica is part of the healing for him as well to feel that normalcy.
Would you be inclined to use artificial intelligence to help with his voice?
Chino: He definitely won’t be up for that, because it’s cheating and anything we do, we want to give out our best and true selves.
Stephen: Especially coming from the school he is coming from, he is coming from the realest of the real.
Are you going to be touring with Freddie?
Well we definitely will be working the project together, with the Captain, you never know, we been doing some runs with him. We just came from Japan for the Far East Cruise, that was a good run, and even prior to the situation we been touring together collectively. Just look out for us.
