Tuesday, Dec 19, 2000

Resembling a biblical prophet, dancehall reggae artist Rocker-T explodes onto the stage with striking intensity. He stands on the stage and takes the microphone, mesmerized and transfixed as if channeling spirits. Known in reggae and hip-hop circles for his socially conscious and positive lyrics, his earnestness is winning him a growing cult following on the West Coast. After a standout performance at this year's "Reggae on the River" festival in Humboldt County, Rocker-T moved from Brooklyn to San Francisco, and now makes Northern California his home.

"The response at 'Reggae on the River' was overwhelming," Rocker explains from a cellphone in Amsterdam. "Jimmy Cliff, Joan Baez and Mix Master Mike were all on stage at the same time watching me. There were also ten thousand fans out there as well. Tears were flowing, people were happy and sad at the same time. It was crazy, and I think we got the biggest cloud of the day in front of the stage."

The cloud that Rocker refers to is, of course, composed of pot smoke - a veritable sacrament in reggae music and culture. High Times, the New York Times of ganja journalism, gave Rocker-T two of this year's Doobie Awards. His latest disc, "If Ya Luv Luv Show Ya Luv", took the magazine's Best Reggae Album category and his song "Sensible Proposition" beat out the likes of Snoop Dogg, Doctor Dre and Lauryn Hill for "Pot Song of the Year."

"High Times has always been a big supporter of me as an artist and as somebody who is preaching to legalize herb," Rocker says with enthusiasm. "It was a great feeling to be recognized by the group of people who we put this album out for. To get 'Pot Song of the Year' from 'High Times' was the creme de la creme - it's reaching out to the audience that I have worked my whole life to get to."

Rocker-T also received another pothead push this year when the cover of his "Tru Ganjaman" EP was prominently featured in the background of the Ice Cube comedy "Next Friday." The album cover, with its picture of Rocker-T puffing on a joint that may be too big for even Cheech and Chong, must have caught the eye of the movie's art director in a big way.

"We got a call from one of the one of the editors from 'High Times,'" Rocker recalls, "and he said, 'You won't believe it but your cover is 20-by-20 feet on a movie screen in Ice Cube's movie.'"

But all drug-induced accolades aside, Rocker-T is a serious musician. He blends rap, rhyme and singing into a style called sing-jay (combining a singer with a DJ) and plays an array of instruments that includes guitar, melodica, nyabinghi drums and keyboards.

"I basically want to get out and play music for people and not get involved with the bobbles that are involved in this business," Rocker says earnestly. "I want to get away from singing about money and violence and put out a positive message for the future because the future is where it's at."

Steffen Franz, AKA Standout Selector, has put out Rocker-T's latest albums through his Positive Sound Massive label located in San Francisco. "I think that a lot of people are ready for a change," Franz says of Rocker's growing appeal. "They're ready to get behind somebody who is making a difference. Rocker-T is someone that college kids, hippie kids, and straight-ahead reggae fans are behind. Our concern is not the big markets. We're not trying to win in New York or L.A. We're more concerned about the Arcatas, the Eugenes, the Fresnos."

"I am a gypsy," Rocker-T says. "As much as I call San Francisco my home, or Brooklyn or Amsterdam, I will always travel. In doing so, I bring a message to people."

Bob Calhoun writes on the city's music scene for the San Francisco Examiner. He can be reached at countdante@hotmail.com.

Rocker-T is performing Thursday night with Shinehead, Jah Yzer, Coop' D. 'Ville and Standout Selector as part of Dubphonic (a monthly reggae showcase) at The Justice League, 628 Divisadero. Tickets are $15; call 440-0409 for more information. Rocker will also be playing Saturday at Club Saketini; 3900 Bell Ave. Napa.