A familiar face to many, a Reggae sensation to all. Since the 80s, Pato Banton has conjured up tokin’ tunes that are favorites to listeners worldwide.
Pato’s produced with other greats including UB40 and Steele Pulse. Fans are now looking forward to catching the star on tour at stops within the next few months, including San Francisco, Sacramento, Tahoe, Tampa and Los Angeles.
Dope readers should be familiar will one of his greatest hits, “Don’t Sniff Coke.” Pato’s music, driven by positive political messages supporting medical cannabis, has influenced others to take the higher road. Has his music ever changed anyone’s mind?
“Yes, there is one of my songs that says, ‘I do not sniff the coke I only smoke sensimilla,” Pato explained. “It’s been amazing how many people have come up to me and thanked me for that song, that it helped them stay away from hard drugs. Because they said that the way that the government had painted marijuana and the war on drugs was against everything. They said that my song helped them define the difference between marijuana, you know, which is a God given plant, and the manufactured drugs on the market. That song has helped a lot of people I’ve met. Even the other song I’ve done recently, ‘Legalize It,’ speaks of all the healing qualities of marijuana and its ecological advantages. I’ve had a lot of people say that they were fighting against marijuana until they heard that song and it really opened their eyes.”
Pato believes in medical cannabis’ proven scientific evidence, which he says can solve many ailments including epilepsy in children. He constantly meets different people changing their views on the plant to the positive and believes that we just need to educate all people on the plant’s benefits.
“They have been “indoctrinated for so many years, to see marijuana as a terrible substance,” Pato said. “They really need to be educated to understand it’s actually herb.”
As a world traveler, Pato has seen and smoked the best of the best. Although currently a big fan of edibles, he admitted his fondest memory of the herb took place in Northern California. For now, he is enjoying the oils and array of chocolates on the market, especially in Colorado.
Regarding smoking herb with rock stars, Pato’s fondest memories list is quite astonishing.
“I’ve done Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica, where there are tons of artists,” Pato said. “I’ve hung out with Third World, Gregory Isaacs, the entire Marley family, Yellowman and Steel Pulse. I’ve hung out and enjoyed some toking with the UB40 guys. “
The most impressive of all is Pato lighting up with Sting on his private jet.
“Sting took me and my entire band on a trip to Italy,” Pato said. “When we got on the plane and the door closed, he just broke out this entire bag of herbs. He got my entire band high. And Sting and I played chess the whole trip.”
The bucket list of Pato, who currently resides in Lake Elsinore, California, includes a trip to China. He is happy to say that there are talks of a tour there. As far as collaborations, he really looks forward to hearing and playing with new talent, which he sees a lot of these days.
Pato just finished a new video, “Better Place,” on YouTube now. Pato is also thrilled about adding a new lineup of players to his band and laying down tracks for their new album, Love is the Greatest Thing.
One can tell with Pato that he really does believe that love is the greatest thing. His keyboard player, Antoinette, became his wife two years ago. She is also his publicist and they both work from home. No booking agent. All homegrown.
Homegrown vibes is what Pato is known for. His hits have engaged fans and surprisingly, he has taken the relationships with his fans to the highest level – marriage. Pato, now a licensed ordained minister, marries his fans and also baptizes their babies. He also holds spiritual concerts and counsels close friends, which were first fans and now family, in their time of need.
Pato Banton shows how a musician can become a true saint of selfless service.
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