Interview with Ryo Vibes

Ryo Vibes is an MC,Singer, Songwriter, and Beatmaker from Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, She is now active in the LA Reggae scene but also can be found performing in Hip Hop events in Japan and Jamaica as well. Her goal is to stage powerful performances with positive vibes.

Wanting to become a musician from youth, Ryo Vibes began piano at age of 5, took interest in beatmaking at 14, and after performing in bands, flew out to London immediately after high school. The
following year she moved to the United States to enroll in Berklee College of Music in Boston to study audio engineering, vocal, and songwriting.

Through a friend, RYO VIBES learned of Reggae and became enthralled. After graduating in 2004, she moved to Los Angeles and began playing out as Reggae Sing-Jay RYO VIBES. She has opened for big name artists like Sister Nancy, Anthony B, Elephant Man, Luciano, Wayne Wonder, Spragga Bentz, Tanya
Stephen, YG, Far East Movement, and RYO the Skywalker.

In 2009, RYO VIBES’ track was featured in a compilation album from Sister Kaya’s label Sisteren Star. Subsequently, she released collaborative efforts with the dub artist The Scientist, R & B singer RIE from Kyushuu, and Reggae artist Mr.Suprize from LA.

Taking part in Rub-A-Dub in the 10th anniversary Wedi Wedi event in Jamaica during 2010 gave her new inspiration to put even more effort into her works. She is currently (2011) working on a collaboration single with E-Dee and first album.

RYO VIBES is one of the most exciting artists coming up.

By her dance tunes and rhyme, RYO VIBES aspires to do the following:

“In the 21st century where “according to calculations, enough food is produced for the entire mankind so that famine should have already been extinguished,” “ONE LOVE” is becoming extremely important. However, as mankind is not just one but is a composite of many individual cultures, one needs to find the truth through experiences of harmony, freedom, and ambitions.

But for now, let’s party and get beyond the borders of language, religion, race, age, and sex, and feel ONE LOVE!”

It is great to meet you, Ryo. You became interested in Beatmaking at a very early age. Can you tell us where you first discovered it and what you liked about it?

I think that was at 13 years old, I saw new model synthesizer demonstration at the music store in the mall just accidentally, and I was so shocked! There was only one man playing 6 or 7 keyboards and it sounded like a whole band with full orchestra. It seemed like amazing like real magic to me. I did know there was one synthesizer in the music class room at Junior high school. So I started to use them after class, mimicin’ my favorite band . I think that was the very first step for my beat makin history.

I  kind of forgot about it but I just remembered it by trying to remember !!

You first came to the US and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. What did you think about the school and the US when you first came here?

That school was really good! I should have studied little harder. When I was young, I had no money, so I had to work hard, and I had to play hard too
!
I had many fun years in Boston.

It was September,when I arrived in the US, just getting on the bus, checkin in a hotel, buying subway tickets,,, every single thing was new and an adventure. It was the most exciting feeling I ever had.

At the time did you want to perform or did you want to work as an engineer?

I wanted to do both!

One of your songs is “No My Friend No Cry”. Can you tell us about the song and the video you made for it?

It’s is all decicated to my brothers n sisters in Japan. There’s too many things I wanna mention about this song but it is still all tangled up in my brain so please just watch that video n read my mind!

You recently played at AM2CON. How was your performance?

That was really first time to sing in front of anime fun crowd. They danced to my reggae music. We had a fun time together!

Another two of my favorite songs is “SKIP to Ma Lou” and “One” which you also have made a video for. Can you tell us about these two songs?

Skip to ma lou is the one of my favorite Dancehall Dance Movement from Jamaica.

ONE is with production team from Japan.

You blend Japanese culture and Jamaican cultures in your songs. Do you think music is a universal language?

I think so, I hope so. and I am trying to make it so!

Who were your musical influences?

I used to love Euro/Electronic/Punk when I was teenager. After High school I listen to Reggae, Dancehall, Dub for 24 hours, everyday!

What are you listening to now?

I listen to a lot of Dub step right now! and I l check Jamaica top 10 always! I use Internet radio a lot!

How is reggae received in Japan? Is it popular there?

There’s really Huge Reggae scene in Japan! Many Sound systems! One of the biggest sound system in the world (Mighty Crown) is from Japan, you know!

How is your collaboration with E-DEE going?

It was really fun. He’s really good artist! I learned a lot from him! btw He has his life documentary Movie called “OUT THE GATE” The movie is doin greally good around the world!

What do you hope to achieve with your music?

I want to be able to deliver message for peaceful world!

Where do you want to see yourself in five years?

I want to be touring around the world. I am working with Producers with NY, Jamaica, Gambia, UK, German right now. I am hopin those work opens up for Touring those countries.

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ryotokita

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