Rapha Pico

 

Biografie Rapha Pico

Some people are born with music in their genes, a heritage which will guide their future life no matter what. Born of the talented singer Djeynah Delbety from the Caribbean island Martinique and a mother fromSurinamwith Native American roots in 1989, the multi-instrumentalist and singer Rapha Pico located in theNetherlandscouldn’t escape from his musical destiny. Of course he never intended to escape from it, for music is the love of his life.

His father, lead singer of the famous Dutch Reggae sensation Revelation Time, used to stir up audiences with his golden voice and conscious lyrics. Like a farmer who planted seeds in fertile grounds, all what is left between planting and harvesting is time. And time presents us here this always smiling young man, with guess what, a golden voice.

Rapha breathes music. At the age of six he was already doing backing-vocals for his elder brothers who started to sing after visiting a show of Michael Jackson. He was that lucky that the primary school he attended didn’t fill him only with facts, but gave him the opportunity to get some piano, flute and percussion lessons. Last but not least he was a member of the school choir where he had to show his talent as a lead singer. But believe it or not, at this age Rapha rather played ball with his friends than thinking about a musical career.

When he attended secondary school, music once again called his name and he became a member of severalSurinambands which played Kawina music. But singer Vaughn Benjamin the poetic frontman of Midnite caught his attention with his philosophical and deep spiritual lyrics. Little by little Rapha embraced the idea that good lyrics are just as important as music itself. The music of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh only deepened his convicting that he also wanted to use music as a vehicle to bring a message of universal love, peace and equal rights for everyone.

He found a musical coach in his father who taught him the basic principles of Reggae music. At the age of 18 he committed himself to Rastafari and Reggae music became the vessel to spread his lyrics with the purpose to make people think for themselves. He joined Ras Amos at a tribute to Bob Marley show and the rest is history.  He shared the stage with people like Vivian Jones, Julian Marley, Proteje, opened shows for Norrisman,  Ray Darwin, Popcaan and Romain Virgo backed by bands as Rebeljam and Roots Controlahs.  One thing he certainly never will forget is the show he did together with the backing-vocalist of Gentleman Mama D.

Well are you getting curious already? Just listen to his cd which he recorded in the Tuff Gong studios of the late great Bob Marley in Kingston JA, produced by Roland McCdermott.  Did I tell you already about all those great musicians that made their contribution on his album? What about musicians which play with artists like Stephen and Damian Marley, Shaggy, Pentateuch and Beres Hammond? Did I say Beres Hammond? Even the back vocalist of Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley and Buju Banton, is doing some backing vocals on this beautiful Roots album.

Well are you still reading this story? Didn’t they tell you not to change the messenger for the message? Get up and insert this album in your player and get carried away by that one voice which brings the best of the Mighty Diamonds back to life!

Roland van Reenen