Chino McGregor Interview (ReggaeMonth Feature)

He said he’s an observer. He doesn’t speak much. He’s right. As he leans against the trunk of his Mercedes-Benz, the long chain dazzles, the blinged-out watch glitters as the night-lights dance on its wide face. Sporting a graphic tee and designer jeans topped off with a baseball cap slanting just so, Daniel “Chino” McGregor lets his confidence do the talking. His lyrical prowess belies his quiet and well-mannered nature. A son of Reggae royalty, a winner of awards recognizing his contributions to Reggae, and an artist with regular rotation on Jamaican entertainment television and radio, you almost expect him to be a diva.

Born on February 12th 1983, Daniel “Chino” McGregor was destined for a life in music. With Reggae legends such as the late Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt and Gregory Isaac; as well as Dancehall heavyweights like Bounty Killa and Beenie Man making regular stops at his father’s Big Ship Studio, he absorbed a wealth of information; the fruits of which are quite visible today. At age nine he joined Vaz Preparatory School Choir and two years later performed at Jamaica House for guests including then Prime Minister PJ Patterson. His career officially began when he was asked by Bryan (brother of Papa San) to contribute a rap verse to the song “Joy”. Two collaborations with Kiprich followed: “Leggo Di Bwoy” and “Gimmi Di Gyal.” The former rose to the top of local charts and enjoyed heavy video rotation and radio airplay both in Jamaica and abroad. By the time he left Wolmer’s High School Chino added Selector to his list of talents as he played for the sound System Omega Disco. After graduation he gained experience in the USA where he worked with Slip N Slide Records, home to artistes such as Trina and Trick Daddy.

Chino has performed at major shows such as Irie Jamboree, Rototom Sunsplash, Sean Kingston Coke Zero Concert, and well as award shows including Youth View Awards and EME Awards in 2010. He has been featured in a National Geographic documentary called 'The Music Nomad - Made in Jamaica' which explored Jamaican music and culture. Even the New York Times took notice of the combined talents of Chino, his brother Stephen, his sister Shema and the 'Captain' his father Freddie McGregor. With them he has toured metropolitan US cities such as New York and Miami, countries such as the UK, France and Germany, Italy, Japan, Gambia and of course several islands the region including Bermuda and the US Virgin Islands.

As a writer, singer, rapper, DJ, producer, and instrumentalist (he plays guitar, bass, piano and drums) Chino is truly a well-rounded musician. He has written, co-written and produced tracks for artists such as Da’Villle, TOK, Wayne Marshall, Elephant Man, Kiprich, Delly Ranx and of course his father, Freddie McGregor. A major milestone in his career was a collaboration with his father “There’s a Reward For Me”on the Grammy-nominated album Anything for you. And the hits keep coming: “ Girls Dem Straight” (produced by Kurt Riley for the Worthington project) was a favorite amongst the females, Buss It Pon Dem” (on the Cartoon Riddim), “ Inna di Club”(on the 12 gauge riddim-H20 productions),”Redbull And Guiness” and “Ghetto Whisky” both featured Delly Ranx, “Formula,” ”Do So Fah” (breaking news riddim) and Gyal Ting( Roach’s Mad Ting riddim) earned him widespread popularity in the industry. Some of his more recent hits include "Forgive Me" (New Chapter Riddim), "Call We Name" (JukeBox Riddim) "Me and You (Secret) with Alaine "Protected," "Pon Your Head,” “From Mawnin”. "Telephone Gallis" on the Boops Riddim. Find It Hard with Dean Fraser ,"In the Street" (Bad People Riddim) are his latest hits for 2010.

And though were only in the second month of the year, it has been a great run thus far. His sponsor Coke Zero put on a massive show in January with Chino being one of the major acts of the evening. He was nominated for 'Breakthrough Artiste of the Year' (which he won), 'Singjay of the Year' and 'Most Improved Artiste of the Year' at the Excellence in Music and Entertainmen (EME) Awards where he also performed. The following day hosted the Youth View Awards (YVA's) along with Lady Rennae and Teyanna Taylor. He was nominated for Male Artiste of the Year' and his mega hit "From Mawnin" was nominated for Song of the Year-Dancehall. He walked away with the award fro 'Young Hot & Hype Male Artiste of the Year!

Young Hot and Hype indeed, Chino knows how to get listeners dancing to his songs. His catchy lyrics over Stephens hypnotizing beats are a definite crowd-pleaser.

Introverted artiste, lyrical stylist, Chino you are The Lime Certified!





Q&A

1. What is the one thing you have done for a friend without being asked?
Without being asked? Hmm, I do good things, like every day…without being asked, That’s my natural personality. Always helping people, always giving people good advice, always teaching people. It’s not really an extra effort, like I have to go out my way and help somebody.



2. If you could describe yourself as a household appliance what would you be and why?
Wow what a question, (laugh)…I guess anything that’s musical. So I would assume a kettle for example, cause it whistles and sings when it gets hot and bubbly.



3. Can you describe your ideal woman and have you met her?
I don’t think there is such a thing as an ideal woman, or a perfect woman—that’s kind of a toughie, honestly. Cause there might be certain things you find in this woman that you really dig, but she is lacking other stuff. There might be these stuff that are lacking in this woman that you find in another woman but she is also lacking those other stuff. Me personally, I have never come across that completely 100% perfect woman that has all these perfect qualities.


4. If you were are tree what would you be?
I would love to say a marijuana tree (but people would pick you, and smoke you), Well, any other tree people would pick you and do stuff to you. (so that…) Am I allowed to say that, I don’t know?? (yeah it’s whatever you’re comfortable with)..Yah, I’ll stick with that.


5. Can you list three things that make you feel sexy?
Sexy? (yeah) Fine clothes-fitted, Italian preferably, nice cologne )I’m a cologne freak, umm just being properly groomed-fresh from the spa


6. Name one place that you haven’t visited but would like to and why?
I’d love to visit Egypt, for historical reasons. I’m very deep and the whole Biblical aspect of Egypt and Ethiopia.



7. What did you do yesterday?
What did I do yesterday??? Wow…umm I recorded. Took care of my business in the streets.


8. If you could walk in the footsteps of anyone who would it be and why?
If I could. If I could…ummm that’s a tough question, cause as much as you emulate those before you, admire and respect those before you, you need your own identity. Its always important to observe those before you and learn from their mistakes and I think that helps you to become a man and your own man, and your own individual so I’m not really keen on walking in the shoes. Bob Marley’s the greatest, he’s the King but he made mistakes. As great as he Micheal Jackson the King of Pop he made mistakes.We have to learn from him; and a lot of those that came before us.


9. If you had to do a song with two people from any genre who would you want to collaborate with?
Amy Winehouse and Stevie Wonder


10. What are your favorites?
Cologne-Valentino
Sport- football
female actress-Gabrielle Union
ice-cream flavour-rum and raisin








Go With Your Gut

11. Kingston or Mobay?
Kingston

12. Blue or yellow?
Blue

13. Knowledge or wisdom?
Wisdom

14. Great legs or soft lips (on a woman)?
The whole woman


15. Big bird or Elmo?
Not a Sesame St. fan, but if I had to-Big Bird




Finish It

16. I love spending time with my daughter, every moment I get. I wouldn’t want to miss a minute

17. Condoms should be used

18. In a woman a great sense of humor makes up for not being able to cook

19. Everyday I give thanks for my blessings

20. Chino is musical



BONUS

Ever waxed?
Hell naw!!!


Ever saved MSN chats?
Yea, but not much any more. Too busy.

myspace.com/chinomcgregor
Chino on Facebook

"Forgive Me" On The New Chapter Riddim produced by Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor


Official video Fom Mawnin (Never change)"