The Burning Spear Blog

Life is a journey.  While we are in the process of taking that journey, we meet many different people and have many life experiences – some good, and some bad.   We can view the circumstances that we are going through at the time in either a negative or positive way (i.e., the glass is half empty vs. the glass is half full).  For the past four decades, I have been known to the world as Burning Spear, but I have also been a husband to my wife Sonia, and a father to my son Kevin.  Over the last few years, Sonia and I have walked along a very difficult and gut wrenching path as parents while we fought the good fight with my son as he battled brain cancer.  Four surgeries into this period of time, Kevin became blind in one eye and paralyzed on his left side.  Our world revolved around our new “homes” – Kevin’s hospital and a rehabilitation center where he was treated. Kevin was never afraid of dying; his only concern was the toll it would take on his mother.  After several rounds of chemotherapy, Kevin’s cancer returned with a new vengeance – aggressive and merciless.  He informed us that he wanted us to take him home, to our personal dwelling where we shared love and laughter over the years.  We granted him that wish and began the agony of watching his brain tumor shut down every part of his body.

Throughout it all, Sonia never left his side.  The artist in me lay dormant, while the man in me became weak as I was powerless to help the wife and son who were so precious to my heart.  Somehow, Sonia managed to remain strong and focused because she knew Kevin needed her and she would not, could not let him down.  On Wednesday July 21st, I had to do a performance in New York.  Sonia stayed home with Kevin, and I returned home after the show that night.  The next morning, Kevin, who at this point could barely speak, found the will and strength to ask for a shower.  Sonia and I lifted Kevin from his bed to the shower chair, and then began helping him with his shower.  During the shower, however, Kevin started to gasp for air.  I, the man Spear, began to cry.  Sonia had to remove me from the bathroom and finished giving Kevin his requested shower, but by this time, the tumor tightened its grasp on Sonia only child and he had one eye open and one eye closed. Kevin had gone into a coma, and could not speak or move anymore. I had another show booked in upstate New York on July 24th, and Sonia insisted that she would be okay and wanted me to do it, so I left the house to travel to the performance.  The next morning, Sonia called to tell me that Kevin had passed away and that she was right there with him when it happened.  They held hands as he took his final breath, and she closed his eye.  Our only son was gone.  He left this life on Friday, July 23rd at 7:30 am at the age of 35.

Words cannot express how Sonia and I feel; I the man Spear started to write this song in honor of Kevin. “Now that you gone so far broke all these heart, torn them apart, how are we going to talk.” After suffering great emotional stress, both Sonia and I man spear contacted two friends – one who was an honorary Attorney out of Los Angeles and Doctor Dread of Ras Record to negotiate a settlement with regards to Mega Force/MRI. What Mega Force/MRI wanted to settle for we refused because they wanted to make it look like they were doing us a favor, and would move to tell both parties that threats of violence were made against them, which was a lie?  They said they would also claim that Sonia posted that they were thieves on my website to destroy their business. Now Karma is taking its course as it always does, and what they sowed, they are now reaping. The reality of their Karma is they have no business; they spend all their time trying to hurt Spear and Sonia.  Again, we retained a new attorney, even while Sonia and I were going through great pain and suffering every day over the loss of Kevin.  We decided we didn’t need the negative energy of Mega Force/MRI in our lives – we needed some time to rest and grieve.  We decided that we wanted nothing from them and that they could keep everything – everything they owed us and everything that belonged to us.  We needed to move on in peace and with a clear spirit to start the process of healing from so much hurt, so much pain, and so much loss.  Money meant nothing to us – we simply wanted to be left alone to grieve our loss in peace. But they are not happy to win; they still want more from us.  They don’t just want our money and to smear out names in the mud, they want to hurt us in every way they can.  Evil are they – this stupid lawyer and a woman who should be declared mentally insane.  This is my opinion, my words – not Sonia’s, and I am entitled to my opinion and to speak my words.  Evil is all they could be, saying that we, who promote love and peace and good will, threatened them with violence since March 5, 2007.  We didn’t, this is a part of her obsession greed and envy.  People such as these have hard time finding their place in the world; they have no hearts, no kindness, and no compassion.

March 5, 2007 was the day that they destroyed over 13,000 Burning Spear CDs and dropped them on our lawn and we had to pay over $2,000 for the delivery. March 5, 2007 was the day we decided we no longer wanted to work with them, and they kept calling, begging us to work with them on a month to month basis.  Their lives changed because they no longer had Burning Spear’s business – the only artist that never complained, and worked his ass off to put money in their pocket. Any attorney who says to someone that their client cannot be in the same room with the person they are alleging falsehoods against should be reported and made known to the world as an enemy of truth.

These people want to be the only ones talking; they know Sonia is smarter than them so they don’t want her anywhere around to speak the facts, so they make false claims of fear. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law… You cannot be both judge and jury and pass your own verdict as well.  During the deposition, MRI’s attorney turned red and was sweating – even he couldn’t handle what his client did.  The man should have been happy since we handed him an undeserved victory and saved his client the embarrassment of going to trial.

They speak lies.  Sonia speaks the true. The attorney was trying to get Sonia to make false statements the day of the deposition; Sonia spoke her mind and told them the truth.  They cannot handle her; they want to make Missi look like good and Sonia look bad, so they go around slandering Sonia. Battles are not won by ego, selfishness or being fake.  They’re won by being true to yourself and your family.  They’re won with honor and perseverance.  They are not and should not be won with lies.

Sonia and I are still grieving the loss of our son Kevin.  We miss him.  But we want everyone to know that these people have tried to undermine Burning Spear, have tried to take him down, and have attacked during a time when a man and women – a mother and father are most vulnerable.  We want to express our truth so people will know what really happened.  Once again, people with ulterior motives have tried to hurt me, the man Spear and my wife Sonia.  We are speaking out and speaking up so our story will be known while we pull our lives back together without our son.

Greetings,
Welcome to the Burning Spear Blog.  Check back for messages from Burning Spear.

Adam Z

“For a person without conscience life seems easy. For a person striving to be pure the journey is hard” these words were taken from Buddhist wisdom by David Crosweller.

How many time you had to make decision you know is right for you and become the target of other in the form of hate, and mindless gossip. Knowing that if you didn’t make the decision to rid yourself of these people your life would be in fact ruin both financial and mentally.

They are always quick to tell you how much you hurt them and completely forget how much they hurt you, hiding from reality and refusing to accept responsibility for their actions, by first blaming others for their own fault. I had to run for my life from those wicked guys.

In the eyes and mind of those people you have no right to make up your mind of what best for you, they know what right for you. I have no regret in not putting out a documentary on Burning Spear that I feel didn’t represent the life of I man Burning Spear even though my lost was plenty.

Their dream wasn’t my dream and we have since move on. In time we will complete the documentary from the top with the right crew nothing never happen before the time, we are happy with our decision.

Sometime the way people would like to belittle us and try to flex their muscle of control thinking that we reggae artist have no right to tell them no, or think for ourselves, while they are using our name as a means to promote themselves it take a lot to control our emotion and remain calm.

Over the years we have had to dig very deep and accept our responsibility in taking chances with the wrong people. It was I man who say that Christopher Columbus is a damn blasted lair he never discover Jamaica he was nothing but a pirate, so are those and them that the blood of Christopher Columbus run through their vein they are a damn blast lair.

They never discover Burning Spear they came to conquer and destroy Burning Spear to gain fame in a Babylon. So Jah drive them back from whence they cometh. If you stand for the right it’s a big problem not because someone say something don’t mean it’s true, we cannot let others define who we are, the eyes always say it all.

If someone cannot look you or I directly in the eyes them something is wrong. Hate and greed and the ability to create fear among people will not get anyone anywhere.

It’s the ability to rise up and stand firm in the faces of adversity and to forgive that what will get you or I the peace we so desire. Forgiveness don’t mean that you surrender to your enemy or tormentors, by forgiving them you have reclaims your power back from them, now they have no power over you or I.

After reading this book I learn that I cannot sit on the nail and mourn about the things I feel is hurting me, if the nail hurt me I must get off the nail and my mourning will be over.

So we write the name of 6 people that we feel did their best to make our business and personal life miserable and we needed to rid them out of our life for good, Sonia and I say a prayer and throw their name in the sea off the coast of St Thomas Virgin Island, We them thank the spirit of our ancestor for the sacrifice they made for us, and acknowledge that if they could survive the journey we too will survive our journey.

We promise them under the Caribbean stars that we will never compromise, and I Burning Spear personally thank them for anointed I man with music and for their protection, as the tears flow from our eyes we know that freedom always come with a prize, it maybe one are two we all feel it the same way.

As an artist you have to be very careful with whom you surround yourself with. If you don’t have the right person in your corner its over for you. Fame come with a big prize and I always say fame is not worth anyone life, I would rather to be poor and humble than to be rich and unhappy.

I am not better or above anyone we are all the same. Some ask me the question do I miss being on the road I say no I am enjoying the simple things in life that so many people take for granted. I have nothing to prove to anyone or regrets. Yes I love my fans that have support me all these years without them I wouldn’t be here today. As you all know reggae artist get very little royalty, so I made my living from touring. And it makes me sad to see some of my peers still touring in order to make a living. Now when I take the stage I have more energy due to the fact I am doing limited dates.

We are working on our record label what could be better than to sell your own music, and get paid. Yes we are face with challenges and that ok, we are staying the course of freedom. I say to my fans I now need your support in another way. Honestly never in my wildest dream did I think I would be the first reggae artist to win a Grammy on his own label.

Jah is Real was created with so much passion, and each and every day I can see that Jah had a plan in mind for this album. How many time I have seen and feel that Jah is real he help Kevin daily as he recover from Brain tumor, September 13, 2009 will be one year.

Kevin never gave up or loses his faith in Jah. So many wonderful people have done so much for us old friends have become new friends and we thank them so much from our heart for again returning into our life.

I had to ask a few to forgive me, and they were happy to do so. This was love true love from real friends that know Burning Spear. Without them and their hard work I Burning Spear the artist would not be here today.

Ego is dangerous to have it give you a false sense of victory, while it’s slowly moving you into destruction. “Without realizing it is easy to carry out bad deeds. However, retribution will come, as certain as you would burn your hand if you placed it too close to a fire.” From Buddhist wisdom by David Crosweller. Let not take ourselves so serious.

Jah Is Real.

Everywhere I go, Jah send someone to keep reminding I Burning Spear aka Winston Rodney that no weapon that forms against me can prosper.

When going up a steep hill it hurts and we might be tempted to turn back, yet we know that we must face the pain we feel and continue up that very steep hill, no matter how challenging it gets.

Resistance and strength is needed to overcome any struggle we are facing. There was a time that I and my partner would feel that we were used by many to fulfill their dreams and the moment we didn’t go with their plan for us we became their enemy.

What we learn was that we are not responsible for other people actions towards us, and no weapon they form against us can prosper this is a very rough business with many wolf in sheep clothing.

We have overcome many obstacle with our determination, our will to survive and this confused many after all they had done to us business wise how we still continue, we continue with our faith. Taking all they send our way, and learning from them what never to do again.

Victorious we stand as I write these lines to you my friends. It’s took me a while to write this blog, I no longer wanted to write from a place of hurt or anger. Jah have given I man so many blessing I have all reason to be happy.

We all have to be very careful with people we come in contact with, learn to draw the line.

Once again we attend NARM and I must say this was a wonderful experience we had meeting with many wonderful people that understand the need for us reggae artist to develop our own record label, how important it is for us to protect the legacy of Burning Spear, many really compliment Mrs. Rodney (Sonia) for her strength and determination and focus to accomplish all she did on her own.

Many great friendship and business relationship was made at NARM. We can make it if we try, slow and steady will win the race, we are the face of changes to come into the music industry.

Sonia also had the pleasure of running with a group of NARM runners at 7AM in the morning, this was somewhat an experience and bring both of us some real closure without saying more love and peace was the order of the day. Many respects to all the NARM runners, Sonia is now training for Chicago.

The only way to find ever lasting peace with yourself is to accept responsibility for your action. There are no mistakes in life we are right where we need to be. If a person doesn’t love themselves, then they cannot love you or I.

Everyone make choice, and will have to stand and face the judgments of the choices they make. I man always believe in losing first, them to be the winner later.

We have learned to sit back and watch the movie of life make note of the actor and actress and their directors, what a joy just to be part of the audience of life.

I man know that Jah No Dead, and this African postman will continue to deliver Jah telegram to all the people of the world in music. I am just a man not a rich man a Rastaman, Jah had a plan for I man, that none could have ever predict, Jah took I man from the Hills of St Ann’s Bay to travel the world.

To quote this sister I met on Tuesday “Great Man no weapon that forms against you can prosper”. I man feel so humble and bless to be a messenger of His Majesty.

Boston are you Ready for Burning Spear and The Young Lion.

Sometime you have to make appointment with His Majesty and tell him about all of your inner feelings and thoughts. Life is journey and I always say it’s not how you fall it’s how you rise.

I went to the Grammy to enjoy a show and came home with a Grammy for the best reggae album for 2009. I was truly shock and must say base on my experiences these past four years I can tell you Jah is Real. A few went after me and Sonia with a vengeance because of greed and the more they would try and destroy us the more stronger we became.

What they don’t understand we are protected by the Holy man, I tell you these confused people did everything you could think of they kept all of my money and destroy all those CDs, and make various threats yet I and I stand strong and focus.

We know that Jah had a plan for us and these people were our lesson, I say to you believe in yourself and never be afraid to follow your dreams.

Jah Is Real was testimony of I man Burning Spear, I made sure to write my own liner notes, I wanted to keep it real tell my story in my own way. We made sure that Jah Is Real when from my hands into your hands.

Winning the Grammy was a true blessing and having Kevin there with me was even a bigger blessing. Kevin sudden health issue with Brain tumor hit us really hard and we suffer major trauma thinking that we would have lost Kevin yet I went ahead and finish up the Jah Is Real shows because I know that what Kevin would have wanted me to do.

Sonia stays back and took care of Kevin and the business. I truly don’t know how she did it, she stays focus and determine, and thanks to Bikram Yoga she made it through. Kevin never lost hope in Jah and when faced with life and dead he choose life, always saying Jah Is Real.

I see how important it is for us to enjoy our life and to live in the moment, if we didn’t do something right and have faith in the Creator then Kevin would not be here today.

We must all make appointment with His Majesty and pray and meditate every day giving thanks for life, Money cannot buy life or happiness, it only buy things.

I would rather to be friends with the animal than to be a target for Babylon. I have seen the moon shine so bright in the sky, and know that with each new moon we have a new start of life, How many nights I hear Sonia cry to the moon and the star that shine outside of our bed room window, it is as if the moon and star came to comfort her soul telling her that she must endured, Rainbow shining over the sea showing us that our life will be at peace, and we should never let anyone disturb our peace that the Creator have provide us with.

It’s love and peace time. I refuse to walk around bitter because other would want me to feel bitter, I and Sonia surrender them in the sea in Negril while watching the sun set over the blue ocean of the warm Jamaica waters.

Out of the darkness come light, our of pain come pleasure. Accepts the things the challenges you and I question at time know that Jah Is on our side , know yourself and don’t be afraid to silent your mind with your breath.

Since the Grammy win my phone have not stop ringing. Everyone have idea of what good for me to do, they have no idea of the hard work I and Sonia put in.

The good people do and they are rejoicing with us, as we slowly go into exile to enjoy this moment in time and proudly getting ready to make more history.

This is a time for thank giving and honoring of the Creator for standing by our side while we travel on this journey of life. The worst thing we could do right now was to become a target for Babylon; we are human being we don’t have to become human doing. Sonia and I learn this in our Bikram Yoga class.

It’s ok not to do anything, and any decision I make will be my own. I and you have a right just to be happy and live our best life yet. Each day is a brand new day let start each new day fresh, dream big for yourself, whatever you wish for will come true if you truly believe.

Anything you lost will be found in time no need to go searching for it. Up on the rock I sit where the river and the sea meet as one in perfect harmony am I not a lucky man to be Sixty four years young today rocking to the Beat of the Dub of Jah is Real in my basement?

You and I are born to win not to lose, in my vision I can see from a distance all the great men and women that have paid the price so we all can be free, I am happy to be me a humble servant of His Majesty.

Jah have given I Winston Rodney the best earth day present of all, health and the knowledge to know that I am just a man, not a rich man a Rastaman. The Lion of Judah shall break every change and give I the victory again and again.

Today I stretch forth my hands and ask all of you my family and friend to stretch forth your hands to reach my hands, our heart shall beat of as one with the sound of Burning Spear. Let the silent sound of the drums of freedom and love touch your heart today as it touched mines.

Let not any hate be in your heart to day for anyone, empty the hate if there is any, and replace it with love and life.

One Love Jah Is Real Keep The Spear Burning.

Since they didn’t hire I man Spear they cannot fire me, I Winston Rodney aka Burning Spear was hire by the Creator to do his work and to spread his message with music.

First I must say I am a very happy and relax man of Sixty three years old. Neither I or Sonia is frustrated, in fact it’s the opposite. A few are frustrated because everything they try this time around was not going to work.

In life there are no accident everything happens for a reason and a purpose. We are determining not to let anyone disturb our peace. While reasoning about the changes we see taking place all around us, and with the passing of so many of my fellow singers and musician. I man know that Jah would not take all of us he had to keep some of us on this creation to see the fulfillment of the things we sing about. Marcus Garvey words come to pass.

The name Burning Spear came from Kenya and now America have a president with a father from Kenya that bring thousands of people from around the world of every shade of colors in the street celebrating . History was made and it show that this race is not for the swift but for the smart for the one that know themselves as winners.

None can change what the Creator have plan, it’s not about the color of one skin or where they come from it’s about equal rights and justice for all. No man or woman should think they are superior to anyone because of the color of their skin or because they sit in an office everyday in a suit and tie.

Look around you, who are the people that cause the most problems for you in your work place that will go out of their way to make your life hell. Are they not the one that is the unhappy that you don’t want any contact with? Yet they always find a way to be in your space to contaminate it with their bad vibes.

The bad seed that they have sow now they are reaping it, and have become so jealous of us; they are indeed the ones that are frustrated.

Never let anyone define who you are or put words in your mouth of who they think you are, and tell you what you are feeling how do they know what our feelings are, why would you or I need instruction from those that have no peace in their lives. all they know is how to fight the innocent ones with their fake might.

I have a little hand book I read everyday title wisdom From The Four Agreement by Don Miguel Ruiz “Don’t take anything personally because by taking things personally you set yourself up to suffer for nothing.” How true are those words? I empower you to take charge of your life and set goals, don’t past the blame on to anyone accept your responsibility and move to find your center.

Yes your center I and Sonia do Bikram Yoga if someone would have told I man Spear that I would do Yoga I would say no. I don’t go as often as Sonia but I do go. Sonia has now set a goal for her to do twenty class straight nonstop and also run six days each week. Only the Fittest of the fittest will survive in these times. Finding your focus will lead you in the right direction of self. Yourself and none else.

I Burning spear have never call or ask anyone for a loan to complete any of I man albums, they wonder that after all they did to us business wise we are able to still survive.

This is the reason I say they didn’t hire me so they cannot fired me musically. The price we are paying for the freedom of reggae music is worth it, we are standing firm and holding our ground.

So confident to see we are on the right track if you were to see some of the emails that was send out by some so call intelligent people informing us of what we must do and what they will do to us if we don’t do exactly as they say.

And when we don’t comply to their orders they move on to send out emails to their friends in the music industry to tell them not to buy and to remove Burning Spear Jah Is Real and other Burning Spear titles the question I ask what are they so afraid of, that I will see all the money they were making and not paying.

Let me make it very clear to them Jah Is Real is I man baby, yes Burning Spear baby, and not one of you will reap a penny from this album.

I am not responsible for your financial problem and none will ever rip me off again, and there will never be any more over the top action of take over. I would say nice try that pose is over if we didn’t learn anything from the past three years of we learn how to protect ourselves.

Sonia and I knew exactly what was coming our way and was ready without any fear, Jah Is my light and salvation who shall I fear? Proverbs 12:16 a wise son heareth his father instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke . A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Jah is Real and he is always guiding us into the right direction. No way was anyone going to take away what I own and push me in the river to drown.

Experience is the key once you see what people are capable of doing, don’t allow them to take any form of control of what you own. The key to success is learning to accept your lesson, learn from it and move on.

We are not looking back on our losses, we know we will gain more than we have lost. Life is not about things and possession it’s about how much did you laugh .The moment you are able to separate yourself from things none cannot hurt you, they can only hurt themselves.

At some point in life all the wrong they have done you and I will catch up with them, and no money in the world will be able to save them. Silent heart is the way to find victory, we have to find our victory from inside of ourselves, and peaceful in our mind can we exalt ourselves with light not darkness.

So many time I get request for show, I choose what I do now in form of Live Show, I am not here to live up to what other thinks I should be doing, I am Sixty three Years old, I paid my dues in this musical life so his majesty say I can now travel light.

None is interesting in us building a fountain for our music in form of selling our own records To stop the pirate of reggae music and to make sure we reap what we sow. It’s liberation time for our music, a friend send me this beautiful posters with these words from Malcolm X “if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.”

In the 2008 we enter the gate in 2009 we will walk on a straight line, knowing all things will manifest itself in Jah time. I am not looking back and I hope you my friends and family will not look back either we must remain steady fast to achieved our goals.

The race is not for the swift but for the one that endured. I Burning Spear will stick to the plan if you know you are wrong do the right thing, I will not compromise and succumb to the wickedness of evil plans against I and I musical, That why I had to Run for my life.

They didn’t hire me so they cannot fire me. Jah Is Real

Through this experience I man stand strong, I want to share this with you I have been writing this blog for the past two weeks and for some reason I could not finish it and now I know why. This week was a very important week for I man, yes they were trying to take over my album Jah Is Real and coming with their many demand and fear of what they would do to I and Sonia if we don’t let them have the digital rights.

Well we stand strong this time with no compromise. Jah is Real is under no agreement and never will be. They were too ready to start the twisting of agreement to suit them and their evil plan of major takeover of what doesn’t belong to them. Well I and Sonia were ready to hang on the cliff and we were not calling out for any help from anyone but Jah to work with us.

We had taken out the agreement way in advance and read it very careful plus after our experience with Mega Force we was ready, they are the same kind of people. This the last of a small group of people that we got involve with that we should have never got involve with.

To quote one of them “your call is not welcome here” and hang up the phone. I say my call is not welcome so the money you all are making from the name Burning Spear is not welcome either. I did not get swell headed and run away I stand firm and make sure they know that any and all agreement with regards to Burning Spear they have was terminated at once.

So I don’t have to call them and they don’t have to insult me while making money from me. I don’t need them, they need me.

When I went to NARM I met this professor that teaches entertainment law, and he was very taken by Sonia. After hearing of the nasty and illegal things that had taken place with our last distribution he told her never to allow anyone to take control of what you own or to enforce their idea of what the agreement say. You are not just representing your husband you are a Record Label and you can walk away if you are not happy.

Just like in marriage you have divorce you can also have divorce in agreement. Don’t listen to the parties that have more to lose, it always in their best interest to mislead you and to create confusion. I advise every reggae artist to go to NARM or send someone to represent you there. Always speak for yourself and never let anyone collect your money and pay you. There are now so many ways for artist to sell their music themselves stay away from agreement or contracts. Know your rights and never be afraid to walk away if sometime don’t feel right.

We would like to thank everyone for their prayers for my family, Kevin is doing great and recovering nicely, I cannot say any of our life will ever be the same and yes there is a pain in both Sonia and I man heart that only time will heal. Maybe all of these events were meant for all of our life to be change; I just know I feel the tears that fall from the eyes of Sonia as she lay awake each night crying to the stars of the night.

As we rise each morning I beat the drums and let the tears from my eyes cleanse away the evil vibes. Yes my friends this is a time for many tears of rain for I and my family I cannot tell you any lie.

We burn sage in our home every day knowing that Jah will answer all of our prayers in the right time. We just have to remain focus and be patience.

The burning of the sage got me to reflect on the native Indians how they too have suffer and have paid many price for freedom. They are the forgotten warriors how easy is it for us to forget how many brave ones fight for our rights of freedom that we so often take for granted.

Freedom always come with some kind of struggle, oppressors always find it so hard to release the grip of control over those that they picture In their mind as weak or lack knowledge.

We must watch for the red flag of control from those that we come in contact with.

It’s not about unnecessary confusion right now for me it’s about life and health to live to see the good which is to come. Let those that seek after my soul because I man is free wrap themselves in a web of shame I will never again let them disturb my peace.

Yea thou I man walk through the valley of the shadow of dead I man have no fear for Jah is with I and I.

I will lift up my eyes to the heaven from whence cometh my help in the warm embrace of arm of my father with I rest.

I will sing songs of freedom to honor those that gave their life for me and me. In the shadow they left behind I can see myself rising strong.

Lot wife will turn into a pillar of salts and her mighty army will fall. We will hold hands in hands and sing song of freedom to celebrated the falls of those that are send to destroy I man.

Some time it takes me a while to write each blog I need at time to relax my mine from the demand of what my ego will say I need to do, just be neutral and free as a bird in a tree. Be the master of my faith and the captain of my soul.

Yes we are still doing Birkam Yoga, Sonia do a lot more than me, Sonia is now able to center her mine and focus. Yes my friend a strong determination that I myself is shock at the self discipline she now gain from Birkam Yoga.

Life is a journey and nothing in life is more important that your breath. Only you or I can save ourselves from any and all unnecessary confusion that other would like to place on us. You can help someone cross the river and them they will push you in the river so you have to be very careful of all the ungrateful ones. None will ever push i man in any more river.

In my business a lot of people will try to tell me what they did for me, yet they forget to tell me what I did for them.

Not only I man Spear but all of the reggae musicians did so much for so many yet we gain the least. I just laugh when they say such things. They need to buy a copy of Jah Is Real and play Wickedness.

In your life never let any use words to convince how much you should trust them. Always go with the feeling you have inside, release your fear and embrace life. Mr. Garvey never have any fear. Surrender to life knowing that you are on your journey and learn to accept the things you cannot change. Force nothing my friend, just be calm and stay strong.

Jah Is Real, we can make it if we try.

We are asking Mega Force/Missi Callazzo to please find it in her heart to leave us alone at this time. Life oh sometime sweet and sometime sour, yet it life and we all have to accept the sweet and the sour as this is balance. For the past three years I and Sonia have been on a journey of life like no other, little did we know what we were being prepared for? I have read the many post and good wishes everyone send my way, and I must say thank you. I start to write this journey many times and stop. I have always said your life is no different from my life, and I too face all the things you face in your day to day life. I often struggle to understand why would anyone find the needs to hurt another? How can anyone gain pleasure in sending pain to another for no reason, in the end what will they achieved from doing this is a question I ask.

I learn that only the good die young and we must all stay focus on living our best life yet, let those that feel they are hurting you and I by trying to control things keep going they too will find their end of the rainbow. Life is no longer about them it’s now about what really important, I have face and seen Sonia had to make a decision about her only child Kevin and my adopted son. We had no idea he would be diagnose with brain tumor that was hernination. I and my friend watch as they told Sonia that Kevin was brain dead, and would not survive surgery. She inform them to let him go keep him comfortable, she know Kevin would not want to live his life a vegetable. Then another surgeon came in and asks to give him a chance to operate since Kevin is young. She says no at first fearing that he wouldn’t survive the surgery base on what she was told at first. Well Kevin survive the surgery and was able to walk out of the hospital, he is not out of the wood yet and will face many challenges if and when the tumor grows back, Kevin is a very strong and brave young man that have accept whatever Jah have in store for him.

Right now I and Sonia have no time to waste on Mega Force and all those that are out to hurt us because we decided to go our way and be free and independent, We have never owe anyone any money, in fact it’s the opposite they owe us money have created major problem in order not to pay us. Yet the more they try to destroy us the more we survive. Is money so important to them that they will do anything to gain it? To roll in the mud to keep what not there to keep. Building problem when there are no problem, I say again I am making clear that none will never control Burning Spear music again, and in time all what mines will come home, nothing never happen before the time.

Jah is so real to I man in so many ways I can feel the love of the people of the world for Burning Spear, I want to sing for you my people and for Kevin each night I take the stage there are at time tears in my eyes not seeing Kevin by my side. When I sing Jah is real and you all join in I can feel the energy flowing. Yes the old Rastaman is overcome with emotion.

Sonia is so brave and strong she encourages me to go on and sing my song, don’t worry about her and Kevin. How many tears have we shed together cannot be counted. I don’t think anyone can feel the pain of a mother, doing Birkam yoga have prepare Sonia to center herself, with focus and determination she stand strong.

Oh how sweet the beat of the congas are to my soul, I have gone to the mountain top and see all those that die young. Bob Marley, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and many more. I am not questioning my Creator by asking why the good die young nor would I be selfish to hold on to someone that their journey on this Creation has ended. I will stick to the plan that Jah have set forth for I and my family, no weeping and wailing now as we all will meet at the bank of the beautiful river when our journey have ended. Oh when the sun goes down I will call on you, no stopping my brother and sister we must go soon.

We live in a world that artificial fill will selfish needs to control life and dead at the expense of those we love, we will allow them at time to go through painful treatment that will destroy the quality of their lives out of our needs to see them. All what I have face this past few days have change me in a way I cannot explain right now. I have to say don’t be afraid to say I love you to your family and friends learn to let go when you know in your heart it’s time to let go, don’t be selfish and watch your love one suffer just to please you. Know in your heart that life is a journey accepts the birth as much of death, this journey is a bit different base on what I and Sonia and Kevin face this moment in time. The strength I see in Kevin have made me strong.

I ask Mega Force to just please leave us alone at this time. All of the nonsense has gone on for too long; I am asking anyone that knows this lady to encourage her that the time is not right now for what she continues to do. Nothing in life is worth what she has done to us, her obsession with Sonia must stop give Sonia some peace right now she is going through a lot, and you know Sonia never did you any wrong, I Burning Spear beg you to leave us alone. You don’t know us and if it was not for Ryko our path would never meet. I know Jah is real and he will help I and I to overcome the devil.

One Love
Peace Jah is Real

First I must say Happy Earth Strong to Marcus Mosiah Garvey this day I celebrate and so honor to be chosen to keep the memory of this great leader alive. Marcus Mosiah Garvey was a great speaker a man way before his time, now all of his words are coming to pass.

My morning started with a phone call to my brethren and we both shout out at the same time Happy Earth day to Marcus Garvey and how grateful we are for the words he left us. Sonia was in the office crying I ask why you are crying. She say “Spear I cannot believe we make it through to see today and to read the poem Emanuel posted on the forum that Marcus Garvey wrote,” slowly she read the poem to me. After a discussion on the poem and a bit of refection we both when to our Bikram Yoga class. Before we leave she put up the song Grandfather from the new Album Jah Is Real on the MySpace site and I hang the black/ red and green flag on my front door.

Yes I am proud to be a man of 63 years old and to be gray, I don’t have any intention to pretend that I am in my thirty I accept my age and his happy to be myself. No dye for me to look younger than I am.

Every day I get request from bands wanting to open for me at various shows, and it often puzzle me, why I never get request on how we can come together to strength the distribution of our music or to ask how am I doing. I and my partner work hard every day to stay independent and we faces many challenges, yet we stand strong . What I learn none can do anything for you that you cannot do for yourselves. Just like the person that pretend to be a journalist so he could get promotion CDs to sell on EBay before the released date, we live in a world of where people are chosen wealth over knowledge and it is causing them more than what they gain. Anything that come too easy with cause you shame in the end. If you cut the line and jump to the front of the line in the end you will be right back at the back of the line where you belong in the first place. Life is a journey with many twist and turn and you will always ended up right back where you start from. Is this person that rush to eBay to make money from Jah is Real hurting Burning Spear or himself. I say he is hurting himself look what happen to so many record label and companies that the tide turn on, It too will turn on the entire illegal Pirate, and If you are not a part of the solution then you must be a part of the problem.

These are the words that Jah have Emanuel posted this morning to remind Sonia and me just to be calm, and keep cool, Keep cool no matter what come our way. You can read more on the forum.

Suns have set and suns will rise
Upon many gloomy lives;
Those who sit around and say:
“Nothing good comes down our way.”
Some say: “What’s the use to try,
Life is awful hard and dry.”
If they’d bring such news to you,
This is what you ought to do.
Chorus
Let no trouble worry you;
Keep cool, keep cool!
Don’t get hot like some folk do,
Keep cool, keep cool!
What’s the use of prancing high
While the world goes smiling by.
You can win if you would try,
Keep cool, keep cool.

From the hands of this young lion in Sweden Jah send us a message. He knew that our way will be long and the road is still going to be foggy but he will be I and I eyes sights.

Both Sonia and I never thought our live would be touch by so many wonderful people. Jim and George thanks for sticking with us through the good time and the time we call learning time, As Kevin would say Daddy college don’t come free, you have to pay your tuition and earn your degree.

Marcus Garvey and all the great men and women that fought for our rights knew that we cannot have any fear. None can hold any power over you or me if we don’t allow them to do so. I have seen and hear the so call strong cry and the so call weak smile. Anyone that seeks wealth over knowledge cannot gain the happiness this earth has to offer.

I am truly blessed because Jah Is Real will leave from my hands into your hands. On this day august 17,2008 I Burning Spear present Jah Is Real to you this is the day I will always remember, I will follow in the foot step of Marcus Mosiah Garvey to be self reliance , I will not compromise and will stick to the plan because I am grassroot. Jah is Real will make history for the first time I record an album that took a life unto its own. Jah had position all the players he wanted in line. The sea and the river became a part of his plan, the Creator wanted to show both you and I that he is real, and we should never have any fear or doubts his plan for us.

Mr Garvey break the cycle of fear and he didn’t care, I Burning Spear will keep cool, keep cool.

Jah Is Real and he will help me to overcome the devil.

First I must say greeting to all the people of the world, I attempt to write this journal about three times, and couldn’t find the words to express myself to you the way I wanted to. So I retreated until Jah send me the words. After more than 37 years in the music business I will finally reap what I sow, it was a lesson in strength and determination to stay the course no matter what. I couldn’t envision what was coming my way in form of the fear and intimation and extortion of money and destruction of property by a few in the music business. These unconscious ones left no stone unturned to destroy my business because they could no longer reap all the fruit of Burning Spear labor. One thing they forget was to have an exit plan; they had the power of a big record label advising as what to do, so they never thought they would have the need for an exit plan. To them we would simple go away, little did they know we would stand strong.

This is not a fight about money for us it’s about integrity and honesty, equal /rights for all, None should ever had to endure what we when through without a cause, and the entire world need to know about it, if we remain silent and don’t speak up either in blog or journal and other media this system of intimation will continue against reggae artist.

So many of my peer or no longer with us, and never got the chance to reap what they sow we are the foundation of reggae music and we desire to be treated with respect. We have alright to say no, and that no should be taken and honor just like any other no. we are they that being through great tribulation to bring the music to the people, and yet we made nothing from it. What I learn from all of this is to be patience and not force anything allows nature to takes it course and everything will fall into place at the right time.

I no longer ask why? I see why. My partner and I never mine standing alone; we accepted all the twist and turn that came our way. Jah send many to stand at our right hand, and to gentle guide us on this mission.

This day I received the first shipment of Jah is Real what a joy it was to open the first CD and to play it, we had tears of joy in our eyes, Just knowing that this Cd will never be in anyone warehouse made us cry. We reflect on Our Music and The Never remix all the work we put into those albums and never received a cent even though we manufacture and paid for everything. Many are amaze how we endure to make Jah is Real

some even say Burning Spear is a million heir, I Burning Spear is not a million heir I am not a rich man, just a Rastaman. Jah is so Real to I man, he always provide all I need just at the right time. No power stronger that the power of love, and humbleness. Jah can make a weak man strong; don’t think for one moment that Jah did not make me weak just to make me strong again. Mistake carries no face, and I have made mistake and paid the price. We are all one people on our journey of life we will slip and fall, the choice we make are how long we take to rise up from the ground and dust ourselves off , accept the torch of life and shine brighter than before.

Don’t let yourself be intimidated by other people words, or look for approval from anyone but the Creator. We must know who we are, and what our purpose here is on Jah creation. To please other and make ourselves unhappy? Or to close out the unnecessary desire of others, and say yes to our life. Changes are a part of life, and we must embrace changes. After all what have happen to I and my family in the past three years, they never expect us to survive, and for I man to still continue in this music business, and to build one of I man best album in 10 years.

I never got swell headed and run away, as you all know I am taking Bikram yoga, and Sonia and her friend all are waiting for the old man to take a knee and sit on the mat, so we all have a joke about it. I have never succumbed to the heat in the room. While they at time have, and they are younger than I man Spear. I never lost my focus, and let my mind wander out of the room. Years of touring I have learn how to condition my mine and thoughts.

The wood dry but it still heavy. I man sit on the rock in the center of the river where the sea and the river meet each other one hot and one cold yet they flow in perfect harmony. At times they bubble and splash against the rock right in the center of the root of the tree. The cover of Jah is Real I Spear is finally at peace for real. I made up my mine never to let anyone disturb my peace. I sit confident knowing Jah is Real we will now finally reap all we have sow in an abundance, our time have come and none cannot stop us now.

I must say thank you to Brian Thorn and all the staff of magic Shop, for the love and respect they show I man Spear, Brian will always remain in my heart, and I know he will accomplish great things in this music business. Brain has a gift not many have, we are so much alike he knows that I Spear don’t like talking too much and he work right within my silent. What a gift this young man as. It did not matter what was going on outside the studio the moment I arrive at Magic shop and see Brian, we just when to work. Life has no accident and Jah Know I needed someone humble and meek.

My fans are truly a fans on a mission they stick with us while we are on our journey, and I must acknowledge them for their hard work, yes Jim Rupert I Burning Spear would like to say thank you for getting us the information on the independent stores, to open our eyes to the many avenue available to us to get our music in the stores. What independent means to I man is freedom, and I thank you for being a fan on a mission. At last I am a freeman musically. No more crying my brother no crying no stopping, we must go through. And to all that send message of encouragement I thank you all so much and I looking forward for us to making history on August 17, 2008.

Jah is real Burning Spear finally will reap from what he sows this release will be in honor of all those that were willing to fight for the rights of all people to be free without regards to race. Heroes were made out of the weak and humble, Jah made them strong; they had no problem standing alone. It did not matter if they were throwing into jail, or lost their life, they know they had a work to do. Any it did not matter what they had to endure. History can now recall those great man and woman that were willing to stand up for our rights.

I must also say thank you to my lawyer Mr. Percy for believing in us, and standing strong with us. I must tell you a bit about Mr. Percy. We had consulted many lawyers we wanted to make sure we were right and not dreaming. Everyone was shock and couldn’t believe this case was for real. So when they try to silent Sonia by filing claims that she threaten them without telling the entire story of what they did to us, and that Sonia was only defending herself against them, Jah send Mr. Percy. Sonia at first did not trust anyone and wanted to be left alone. Mr. Percy call her and she hide from him. Then he call me and say Spear tell your wife to call me I don’t want any money I want to clear her name. She was setup and it’s not right, and I will do this for nothing if I have to. Tell her to stop hiding and call me I am not going to allow her to ruin her name, I understand what happen and its wrong. So here again Jah send someone to stand with us, Mr… Percy is a strong man that believes in equal rights for all. He did not care that my name was Burning Spear to quote Mr. Percy “ I am glad I am not from the music world” so I come to this case fresh and clear, my job is to get justice for you and your wife and I will. They had no exit Plan, but Jah had one for us.

Wow the time flies fast thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you.

Jah is real.