FIERY dub poet Ras Mykkal has achieved another first in his career as an entertainer with his albums becoming a collector’s item in Sabah, Malaysia.Photographer Susanna Manak had started collecting local music three years ago when she received an album from her long-time boyfriend.

“Reggae music is usually expensive here and when my boyfriend first came to Sabah he had given me some local music to listen to. I especially like Ras’ music and it is a collector’s item since I am the only one in Sabah who has all three of his albums and I have been collecting music from Bermuda ever since,” she said.

“Sabahans are fun-loving, somewhat laid-back folk who are conservative,” said Ms Manak, adding that she had never heard of cub poetry until she started listening to Mykkal’s work.

She also has added the Jahstice CD featuring Runksie to her growing collecting.

“He discusses hot topics and he is easy to understand and I enjoy the Jahstice CD also,” she exclaimed.

The Mid-Ocean News caught up with the patriarch of the Jahstice reggae band Andrew (Packie) Packwood, who was elated to know that the band had a fan in the Land Below the Wind.

“I know the album had been marketed virtually world-wide, but I am pleased that we received feedback from Malaysia of all places. Reggae is popular in Japan and in Kuala Lumpur but it always good to know you have fans throughout the world,” he said.

While Ras is one step closer to sealing an international distribution deal, having all three of his albums getting favourable feedback halfway around the world is another first for ‘Bermuda’s First Governor’.

“I am grateful that my work is reaching people in different parts of the world but I am an entertainer first and foremost and I can’t perform, manage and distribute my material, and when I land a distribution deal that would be a big help.

“I will be heading back to Jamaica to perform and I have been invited to perform at various venues and Jamaica’s premier dub poet, Mutabaruka, sent world that he would like to have me on his radio show the next time I come to Jamaica.

“It was a first to have a local dub poet to perform at the Bermuda Music Festival and I delivered a solid set by international standards and I know I have enough material to do it.

“Even after the positive feedback I received and debuting material folks had not heard I only received a paragraph in the daily! So in order for me to advance I would have to do it outside of Bermuda!”

Another song penned by Mykkal’s cousin, In Spite of It All<$>, tells of the scourge of drug abuse and how it ravages the user and destroys families.

“I would like to put this song to some good music and have it on my next album. I am widening my music for the international market and not have it so localised.

“I have done a song about breast cancer and working on material listeners outside of Bermuda can identify with,” Ras explained.

Malaysia’s zero-tolerance policy on drug abuse is world-renowned and Ms Manak heaped kudos on Ras’ approach on subjects and his frankness on addressing social ills.

“I even have some collectibles from the other Bermudian artists such as a Jahstice reggae band T-shirt, a Bermuda One Love Tour T-shirt, The Ambassadors of Song CD and the Not the Um UM Show CD.

“Now that was funny and how they talk about Bermuda life. It’s fun to listen to, but I definitely like (Bermuda) reggae music. I am especially thankful to Ras for going the extra mile and sending me an autographed publicity photo of him, but also to sign all of my CDs for me!

“To me that makes them priceless and he definitely has a fan in Sabah!”

Ms Manak praised the island for having such talented artists and appreciated their generosity in taking time to sign her CDs and sending other memorabilia.

“I was happy when I received a T-shirt from Jahstice and I hope to add a Mike Wild and Last Rights CD to what I have.”

While she was coy about who the lucky local in her life was, the up-and-coming photographer has been making her wish list to add to her collection, but says she is definitely a lifelong Ras Mykkal and Jahstice fan.