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Tru Believers
- Avg user rating:
Out of 38 votes - Similar Artists: Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Absynianns
Out of 38 votes
- Location: Washington, DC, District of Columbia, United States
- Genre: Reggae » Roots Reggae
Editor's review
This band's name is apt: the D.C. sextet wants no part of reggaeton, SoCal "ska," or any other warped form of Jamaica's national sound. This is lovely, pulsing roots reggae in the tradition of Peter Tosh or Marley at his most elemental, with the focus on the three things that count: Ja, Babylon, and the upbeat.
Biography
The band was first conceived in 1999 as the Millennium Shockers out of Washington, DC. After performing at local venues throughout the area for a few years, they took a small break and re-formed the group as the Tru Believers in 2003. This group’s repertoire stretches from reggae, calypso, rock, and jazz. Basically, they represent the essence of American roots music. Their influences range from the Abyssinians, Bob Marley, Jacob Miller, Miles Davis, Grateful Dead, Chicago, and others. Tru Believers sound is one of heavy hammering bass and drums with dazzling keys and clinching guitars. Let’s not forget the essential congas that provide the foundation of roots rock. Yusuf Greene(lead vocalist) has been compared to the likes of Jacob Miller, Yusuf is the expression of Tru Believers. Carlos Richard’s (bassist) sound and technique of playing is greatly influenced by jazz and roots reggae. He got his first start at playing bass in a jazz band. Denatra Lewis (keyboardist/vocalist) has astonishing skills which include songwriting. Barry Richard (drummer/vocalist) plays over six instruments, including the trumpet and keyboard. He got an early start with music as a young child. Adrian Richard (percussionist/congas) has an extensive background in music. He has played calypso and reggae for most of his life back in the Virgin Islands. Kareem John (guitarist), the youngest of the band, has been studying music for years and has been linked up with other rock bands from the DC area. When people describe their music, words like optimism and inspiring are often used. The Tru Believers' gift has been to inspire and uplift in a conscious party as they deliver tracks like “Tru Believers” inspired by the present day struggles faced all over the world. Catchy phrases like "never loose faith" seem less like fantasy and more like possibility when the Tru Believers are performing. Without preaching or vilifying, the Tru Believers sing about the world as they see it and as it could be. They sing about oppression and their history, but the music does not carry a message of exclusion or retribution and as they comment on the human struggle, problems, and tribulations that face us all, the Tru Believers never lose sight of the fact that music is a celebration.
