The Story of Culture

Reggae music is a genre full of interesting individuals, but Culture's lead singer Joseph Hill has to be considered one of its most complex and engaging practitioners. Hill is not only a veteran of reggae, but he is also one of its boldest performers and most unique personalities. In person, as in performance, Hill often speaks in metaphors that initially hopelessly impenetrable. Yet, at other times, he can be completely straightforward. Either way, Hill's unique brand of humor is never far from his lips. While interviewing the singer is not for the faint of hear -- Hill resists most attempts at categorization -- it can also prove to be a profitable experience. If he is in the mood, a conversation may range from his interest in antique cars, to his keen awareness of the current sound-system scene in Jamaica, then on to the political scene in a particular African country. With the recently issued album titled World Peace (Heartbeat) some 30 years into his musical career, Hill demonstrates that Culture continues to be a vibrant and relevant force in Jamaican music...