KingTunarro:"Dubislifeinitspureststate"
A deep dive into the values, oppression, and authenticity that forge Soundsystem culture.
From the vibrant soundsystem culture scenes in Spain emerges the figure of King Tunarro, a selector whose dedication goes beyond mere musical selection. His commitment to reggae and dub is rooted in a deep understanding of its foundational values, the struggle against oppression, and the incessant pursuit of authenticity. In this interview, King Tunarro invites us to reflect on the essence of a culture that, in a world of rapid consumption, compels us to pause, listen, and ultimately connect with deeper truths.
/To start, tell us who King Tunarro is. Beyond the selector, the dubmaster, and the soundsystem builder, what part of your life best explains why you ended up dedicating your time to a culture that demands so much and promises so little in return, except the satisfaction of sharing it?
A: Well, above all, because of the values it instills. It's an oppressed culture, and they try to raise their voice against the oppressor. It has always been a very hostile world, and finding a space where the oppressed have so much strength is very significant.
/We live in an era where everything is consumed quickly. Soundsystem, however, demands time, listening, and presence. Do you think that today reggae culture goes against the modern world simply by forcing us to stop and listen?
A: Well, I think that's a generalization. There's fast-consumption reggae that's quickly forgotten, and there's other reggae that becomes an anthem. But that happens with many cultures. Nowadays, nothing is safe from fast consumption; you just have to look for quality or what was made with love and passion in all cultural fields.
/Jamaica turned necessity into creativity, and the UK transformed that heritage into a social movement. Do you think the essence of reggae is born from the sound... or from the way a community decides to confront reality?
A: I think it's born from the oppression I mentioned at the beginning. From the wound of so many years of segregation against the Black people. And something so strong and so real cannot be overlooked or forgotten.
/They say dub is about removing elements from a song to reveal others. Isn't it curious that, just like in life, we often understand who we are when we start eliminating the noise?
A: Dub is like life, always in constant motion. No two things will ever come out the same, no matter how hard you try. Dub is life in its purest state.
/A soundsystem doesn't ask where you come from, how much you earn, or who you vote for; it only responds to how you listen. Do you think bass is still one of the few truly universal languages we have left?
A: I would stick with the whole set in general, not just the bass. If you remove the lyrics, you're only left with rhythms. And if you remove the rhythms, you're only left with a voice, I&I.
/Reggae culture constantly talks about roots. But a tree that only looks at its roots never grows. How do you honor tradition without turning it into a prison for new generations?
A: Well, today, few people keep their roots present, and they are there. They have their space and respect. I think we should look more towards the roots, hahaha. It's clear that they are not the only thing that exists, but we must keep the past very present, as it paved the way for us to be here today.
/What is more dangerous for a culture: oblivion or success? Because sometimes it seems that when a scene becomes popular, it starts to forget exactly what made it necessary.
A: Good question. If there is no "success," it becomes a tiny niche, and you can't advance, and sometimes advancing leads us down a path we don't like. It's clear that you can't please everyone.
/If tomorrow vinyls, tubes, and handcrafted boxes disappeared, but the values of respect, community, and consciousness survived, would soundsystem culture still exist, or would we have only preserved its memory?
A: Well, if we remove part of what forms the culture, it would be something else, in my humble opinion—neither better nor worse, just something else. But it would no longer be the same culture, although the same values, the same respect, the same passion, and necessity would remain.
/Some say a good dub not only makes your chest vibrate but also your ideas. After all these years, what has been the most uncomfortable truth this culture has forced you to accept about yourself or society?
A: Well, about myself, that I wasn't always the best person or the best neighbor, that I didn't always lend a hand to those in need, and that I worked more for individualism than for the common good. And about society, that it's a continuous struggle, that minds don't change because it's better to live in a comfortable lie than in an uncomfortable truth.
/And I'll end with a question we should all ask ourselves before we die: when silence comes forever and no speaker is left on, what do you think weighs more: the sound you left in the world or the people you helped find their own frequency?
A: Ufff, difficult choice. I think I would lean towards helping people find their frequency.