"Rockaz" Collective drops new video to set the precedent of "Positive Mental Attitude"

It was a dark, humid night in Orlando, Florida where New York-based legendary skateboarding/band photographer/ videographer/ influencer Jeff Pliskin found himself with a mission: the mission was to capture all-star musicians Gary Dread, Rick Haze, and Josh Swain in their element for the "Rockaz" video. It's an official announcement of their freshly new Rockaz Collective, manifested to encourage and exemplify the message of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). A message unified by the RasTafari, reggae movement.

Their story doesn't start there. Pliskin is best known as the originator of Raised Fist Propaganda, aka RFP Music and Culture – "promoting nothing but positive vibes through the visual...Rising up for a collective positive vibe" since 2006. It was over 10 years ago when he first met drummer/ producer/ vocalist Gary Dread, well before Gary joined The Movement. Gary and his Movement bandmate, J Smiles, were playing in punk bands back in Philadelphia when Jeff was introduced to them by Prowla Owla from Fear Nuttin Band. It was a great, natural friendship that formed and continues today. Rick and Jeff met separately in 2018, years later, while RFP filmed the video for a track Haze produced, Inna Vision's "Survivor."

Originally, Gary Dread & Rick Haze dropped "Rockaz," in January 2021. It was a highly anticipated 8-track digital release that contained some amazing collaborations. It includes hypnotic verses from the aforementioned Josh Swain of The Movement, some butter-smooth harmonies and leads from Gonzo (vocals/guitar for Tribal Seeds)... The Jamaican artist Tuff Like Iron speaks up as a catalyst for social change on the track, "All Year." Inna Vision adds some foundational roots reggae from Maui in "Big Smoke, and long-time Jamaican producer/singer Perfect Giddimani throws down on "Be the Change." C-Los (the drummer for Sublime with Rome & formerly Tribal Seeds), added some live drum tracks across the board. 

The digital release was produced by Gary and Rick, but it was San Diego native E.N Young who mixed and mastered "Rockaz" at his Imperial Sound Recording Studio. When it came time to make the video, Gary and Rick looked to link up with their friend Jeff. Gary said, "I love working with Jeff, he always captures special moments on film. He has a unique style and great eye for bringing visions to reality."

Helping announce the "Rockaz" video to the world, Reggaeville, the infamous online reggae magazine featured it on their prominent YouTube channel. They are, and continue to be, a massive advocate for the collective and all international reggae artists. Keep an eye out at Reggaeville for more future releases as well as all the information you could imagine about reggae artists!

"Rockaz" is a conscious, reggae music & film collective worth every bit of hype and praise! When the Reggae Rise Up festival took place in October in St. Petersburg, Florida they had Gary Dread and Rick Haze perform at an after-party and crush a set with DJ Badda Skat while RFP captured the vibe. When Jeff at RFP was asked what the Rockaz collective has in store for the future, He said, "We are doing more videos and songs, as well as launch parties in Florida and at Miss Lily’s (in New York City.)" He elaborates, "We plan on more events in 2022 as we collaborate with other well-known Dancehall Reggae artists." The Rockaz Collective's mission to announce the arrival of the new musical/video has been accomplished, but they have accepted another, more vast undertaking. A mission much needed today; Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) reporting for duty.

Chris del Camino brings it to new levels with his solo track, "For Better or For Worse"

When I hear Chris del Camino's new single "For Better or For Worse," it immediately takes me on a musical journey. There is an upbeat intro that creates a powerful backdrop from the start like the spark in the beginning of a love story. The rest of the track carries a sense of magic as the tale unfolds. He tells me he was "inspired from a time when I was living in Istanbul [Turkey] with the woman who would just years after become my wife."

Chris writes, arranges, produces, and engineers all of his own music. His first single "Heartbeat" - featuring Hawaii's own Inna Vision, was released in 2018 and has been in my steady rotation since. There's a saxophone solo that gives me chills every time I hear it! The follow-up track, Brighter Day, was released in early 2021. It has a reflective undertone from the unsettled reality of 2020 but with a hopeful outlook. It has a nice groove and solid flow that include many genres of music. All of his solo tracks are bits of different musical influence blended to perfection in just a few short minutes.

Chris is the saxophonist for the sensational reggae, "tropical-pop" queen, HIRIE; and they are direct support for Sublime with Rome and Dirty Heads for the next couple months of 2021. I first met Chris on tour with HIRIE back in 2013 at a club in Phoenix and we've had a chance to catch-up at several stops in Arizona since. He is always a pleasure to not only help provide a mind-blowing performance, but also enjoy his positivity when visiting. 

His horns are always on point; just ask HIRIE, E.N Young, Stick Figure, London McNamara, Kbong, Gonzo, and many other respected artists... as he and fellow HIRIE trombonist, Andrew McKeezy, assist with "hornline writing, arranging, recording & sometimes some of the production." Chris and Andrew became studio musicians at E.N Young's Imperial Recording Studio while recording the first HIRIE album in 2013 and the rest grew from there. 

He says, "It's just been a lifelong process of finding what kinds of stories I want to write and sing about and finding my voice to sing them." It may have taken some time to find, but he sure did find his voice.  Even though the skills all speak for themselves; saxophone, electric guitar, bass, accordion, flute, keyboard, as well as electronic composition - DON'T take my word for it! Go check out "For Better or For Worse" on all streaming platforms, Friday September 3rd! Plus, there's still more releases coming around the corner in late 2021 and into 2022 so stay tuned - you're not going to want to miss what comes next!