Music sponsored by
Ras Regg - Reginald Martin - 101.3 Kiss FM - Reggae Runnings - WSTA 1340 AM - Lucky 13
March 24, 2007

RAS REGG
CORNERSTONE

By: ms.cyntje
From Our Mar. - Apr. 2007 Issue

Reginald “Ras Reg” Martin is best known as the host of “Reggae Runnings”, the first all reggae music show on WSTA.  Aside from his show on WSTA, Ras Reg sang with Eddie and The Movements from 1972 to 1973 when they stirred up controversy with a song entitled “Dread High”.  Ras Reg also captured the 1998 calypso monarch title with the hit “Rumors”.  As a popular emcee he is known for his quick jokes and electric delivery.

Ras Reg got his start on radio in 1981 on WSTT 101.1 FM.  Nine months later he received a call from the station manager asking him if he was willing to move with the station to New York .  Instead of leaving the Virgin Islands, Ras Reg took a job as a co-host for Poncho’s “Reggae Riddims” on St. Croix .   In 1983, after his success with “Reggae Riddims” he received the call from WSTA and “Reggae Runnings” was born.

Though Ras Reg and “Reggae Runnings” are two staples in the Virgin Islands community, prior to 1983 they both received opposition from the then conservative WSTA.  Ras Reg sat down with CORE to discuss the history behind the show and how his career has changed over the years since it end.

Was reggae music widely accepted in the 1980’s?

No. It was definitely tough playing reggae music in the Virgin Islands because people thought it was a Rasta thing.  They looked at Rastafarians as the trouble makers and it didn’t help that I had locks myself.  So not only did I have to prove that reggae music was good I also had to show that Rastafarians were good upstanding citizens.

What was the concept behind Reggae Runnings?

Well on the show I tried to play the full scope of reggae, I didn’t really get into the dancehall though. 

What was your most memorable moment from the show?

It was definitely an honor to fly to London to meet the group Oswage, whose song “Dub Fire” I had chosen as the theme song for “Reggae Runnings”. 

What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a radio personality?

First it’s all about the people because your audience makes you.  Always keep mind that you are working for the masses and always be yourself.  Radio is a very important medium, once you get on the radio use it wisely: educate the people -- the music you play should say something.

You mention that radio is a very important medium.  Why?

Well radio is very important because it can be a one and one exchange between the host and the listeners.  Radio works for people:  from helping someone find a lost item to giving people a platform to voice their concerns.  That’s radio.

Now that you are no longer with WSTA where can people find Ras Reg?

I have this new show on 101.3 Kiss FM called “Afternoon Affair” where I play calypso every Saturday from 2 to 7pm.  I also do a reggae show from 7pm to 10pm on Thursdays.  Apart from radio I do a lot of emcee work for various functions and big events. 

What made you decide to switch to calypso?

Well I feel that political calypso is vital because it gives politicians a chance to hear what the voters think.  It keeps them in check. Also I have been doing a lot of calypso projects lately so I wanted to do an all calypso show.

From Eddie and the Movements to Reggae Runnings on the radio, Ras Reg has broken a lot of barriers in his day from increasing the acceptance of Reggae music to helping to change the perception of Rastafarians in the Virgin Islands .  And though his station has changed, Ras Reg continues to be the man of the people. 

 

"...it's all about the people because your audience makes you..."
Copyrighted by CORE Magazine 2008