Reggae Artist Taj Weekes Talks Politics, Ganja and Music with HIGH TIMES

Story and photos by Brittany Somerset 

When goodwill ambassador, humanitarian, and reggae artist Taj Weekes sat down to write a song about the Janjaweed, describing the genocide in Darfur, his goal was to raise awareness of the victims’ political plight. What he didn’t expect was for the majority of first-time listeners to mistakenly assume he had written was a song about ganja…weed (despite the disparate topics, the sounds – Janjaweed/Ganjaweed – are quite similar).

This misunderstanding of pronunciation prompted Weekes to compose an additional track, on the “Janjaweed” rhythm, that actually was about ganja. The upcoming Ganjaweed single is a satirical sativa-based spin off his current single “Janjaweed.”

Taj Weekes is a chameleon who possesses a natural ability to think fast on his feet. On the one hand, he is deeply serious and intensely passionate about his worldviews, and on the other hand, he is a gentle and humble man with a quick and easy smile. Driven to inspire conscious thought and provoke discussion through his poignant poetry and lyrics, Weekes says, “I write from the heart and I speak about issues that move me. I believe that’s what really matters.”

Weekes grew up the youngest of ten children, in Castries, Saint Lucia, in a family where music was a constant presence. “We were always singing and playing in my house. My father was an incredible singer... we took that from him.” By the age of nine, he and his brothers had formed a band, playing in local talent shows, the town hall, or parish centers around the Caribbean island.



Weekes would painstakingly write down the lyrics from songs he heard, often tinkering with the words in a song to make them his own creation. “From the time I started writing,” he said, “I did my own thing. I was always attracted to the lyrics in the songs and would listen to people like Lord Kitchener and the Mighty Sparrow. They were like town criers, telling the stories of the day. Reggae is what you call the poor man's cry. It's music you can sit and listen to. It's listening music.”


Taj Weekes grew up blissfully unaware of category or genre – to him, great music was, and still is, great music, no matter what the style. “My musical influences were quite varied, 'cause the radio stations played all kinds of music. There were no formats, so we grew up listening to everything from reggae to calypso to classic rock and classical music.”

Eventually feeling boxed in by the borders of St. Lucia, Weekes left home to fulfill his musical ambitions in North America, where he formed his band, Taj Weekes & Adowa, and record label, Jatta Records. Incredibly intelligent, he earned a Master’s Degree, and worked as a research librarian. When the library became too constraining, he resigned to pursue his music career full time and took his band on the road.  

Weekes and his band Adowa unite a true social consciousness with an unforgettable reggae groove. Blending in elements of acoustic roots rock and afro-folk simplicity, the band’s vibrant sound presents a set of fresh reggae songs, laced with acoustic strings, guitar, violin and cello, and splashes of soulful harmonica. Their fusion-laden tracks challenge their listeners to redefine common perceptions of reggae, and where it's heading as a genre.

To date, Taj Weekes & Adowa have released three full-length albums, Hope and Doubt, Deidem, and A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen. HIGH TIMES sat down with Taj Weekes to discuss the release of his latest single from A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen, “Janjaweed.”

Literally translated, “Janjaweed” means, “The devils who ride on horse back” who kill off the people in the Sudan and Chad because the people don't subscribe to the point of view, or their god.

Why did you decide to re-make “Janjaweed” into “Ganjaweed?”

Ignorance, thorough ignorance, that why I decided to make “Janja” into “Ganga.” It seemed like almost everyone who heard Janjaweed did not realize or know about this terrible organization in Africa. There is no connection between the two, except the misunderstanding in the names. The original (track) talks about the lack of support for the poor in a part of Africa, and a situation that the world has basically turned it's back on. The other is about weed.

“Janjaweed” lyrics go, “Imploring the skies for an answer, cause no one on Earth here would help…” while the “Ganjaweed” lyrics are “Exploring my mind for a panacea, for no herb on Earth could I find…” It’s two different directions.

Why did you decide to make such a serious subject as genocide into a cute, animated video?

The subject matter was serious enough, we didn't want the video to be the same. Also we wanted to introduce children to the subject matter without getting too graphic. Animated videos are not usually offensive. You can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.

When is the “Ganjaweed” single going to be released? 

Besides “Ganjaweed,” you have other songs about Marijuana, including “One Draw” and “Two Joints.” Tell us about them.

“One Draw,” the only way to put and end to war... the song says “smooth out the jagged edge of controversy. Sit with my brethren and work it out, take one draw. Do you see what I see?” We've been trying to take the edge off by having a drink, maybe we should try with “One Draw.”

“Two Joints” is a love song about a brother whose only possession is two joints, after his woman is gone. His only consolation, are his joints. If he ever finds his woman, one is for her and one for him, again taking the edge off their current situation, by taking a draw.

Does using marijuana influence your creative process? 

Don't know if it influences, but it certainly aids in the process, more with the music than the lyrics though.

What is your average usage and preferred method of marijuana consumption? 

Cooking. I love cooking with weed. My consumption is plenty. Just remember that the THC is oil soluble, therefore you have to mix it with oil or butter to get a nice high… Yeah man my consumption is plenty…