Interview with Ras Ricky |04 January 2014

‘I am also a jack of all trades’

Ricky Jules Sultan, AKA Ras Ricky and of Diego Garcia ethnicity, was born and grew up in Seychelles loving the creole culture and being inspired by the likes of Joseph Louise, Patrick Victor and Hudson Dorothe.
 
From crèche he took part in school plays and that was the beginning of his life under the spotlight. He is currently in Seychelles after taking a short break from his work in Mauritius and lets us in on his life there.

What’s the title of your latest album?

I recently released my album called Mascareigne, which is what our group of island states in the Indian Ocean is called. The album is a reflection of the livity (a word used by Rastafarians which refers to the energy or life-force that flows through all living things) of our island people. I have collaborated with other artists from the region including Pix-L – a new artist from Reunion about to release his first album, Tikkenzo from the OSB Crew in Mauritius and Estella. She features in ‘Welcome to My World’, a track which compares island life from the rest of the world.


What do you do in Mauritius?

I am a radio presenter with the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. I host a show called Nou Konekte which airs for two hours every night playing dancehall, reggae, local and regional music. In fact, I had to record three months worth of my show so that I could come here to Seychelles. I started recording in the morning on Monday December 23 and only completed at 9am on Friday December 27, 2013.

How are you enjoying working in Mauritius?

Well with my job at MBC Radio I gain a lot of experience and skills with new media and telecommunication tools, which are vital in the digital era we are living in. But radio presenter is only what I do as my evening job. I am also a jack of all trades and do other things during the day. If someone has a piece of land to sell, for example, I am happy to find a buyer and I get a commission.
 Growing where I did (Les Mamelles) has equipped me with lots of skills that I use today.


Why Mauritius?

I was in the UK for three years and even though I enjoyed my time there (I had lots of performances at clubs and at music festivals), however, I felt I needed to move to something new.

I chose Mauritius because of the mutual sharing with Seychelles in terms of our language and our music. Also, Mauritius provides a bigger platform for an artist to grow and be known; the population is much more and my music can reach other Mauritians scattered around the globe much easier. But I won’t stay there forever; at the right time I will go to the next level and move somewhere else.

How is the music industry different in Mauritius?

There is an advantage for artists because the copy rights policies are more structured and well defined which means, as an artist, you get better paid.  You get royalties from your song being played on the radio, among others. Your product is well-protected. Apart from that there is not that much difference. When I go to perform I still need to be well organised and get others on board to ensure the success of whatever show I am doing.

What advice/help can you give to local artists who would like to penetrate the Mauritian market?

Many artists reach out to me such as Jakim, Jahrimba, Chicco and Mercenary, when they want to come over and do a show because I have good networks there to make things happen. And they need me as much as I need them, because they give me support at shows. It’s better when at a show I also have a crew from back home, who are my own people and I’m not just surrounded by Reunionnais and Mauritians. It builds up my morale when performing.

What else have you been able to achieve in Mauritius?

I have been there for three years and each year I have released an album and have also given support to other artists who want to make it. I have been heavily promoting the Creole culture and have done so with other artists who have the same vision. I helped some of them with the release of a compilation album called Island Burning and, more recently, Island Burning II.  

Have you met any popular Reggae artists?

Yes, I have met lots of popular artists like Morgan Heritage, the late Lucky Dube, Pierpoljak, Tiken Jah Fakoly and Steel Pulse. If I had not come down for a break I could have met Jimmy Cliff who’s going to have a show in Mauritius soon.

What are your plans while in Seychelles?

Hosting shows in the districts and continuing to support artists wherever I can especially in areas like production. I have a studio, which I left in the good care of some friends, so I will make use of that when I need to.