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Unsung Heroes: Ralph DuJour aka Ralphtafari

One of the real musical giants in our area is bandleader/bassist for Crucial Fiya reggae band, Ralph Dujour, out of Raleigh, NC. Ralph plays with passion and to those who see him live, expresses the ground-up presence of the bass. For years, Ralph and his band, Crucial Fiya, have been performing their original music, touring and backing reggae legends such as Frankie Paul, Everton Blender, Glen Washington, Johnny Osborne, Turbulence, Mikey Dread, The Itals, The Meditations, Luciano, Fanton Mojah, Anthony B., Ras Shiloh, Jah 9 and Lutan Fyah.

Ralph and his band represent the true message and style of reggae, and hold the banner for Rasta music. Recently, I got to sit down with him and ask him about his musical journey.

RF: What is your backstory and how you came into music?

RD: My earlier experiences started in church and Music and Art High School in New York City. I started as a vocalist and eventually moved to playing bass after a summer visit to my God-parents’ house.

RF: Who were your early influences that inspired you?

RD: My earliest influences were R&B and funk songs of the early years, like Al Green, Chi-Lites, Ohio Players. However, it was Dennis Coffey’s “Scorpio,” the bass solo by legendary Motown Funk bass player Bob Bobbit, that really got my interest up into becoming a bass player. 


The funk era gave me a real perspective on lock and groove, especially after listening to songs like George Duke’s “Reach For It,” as well as Parliament, Parliament Funkadelic and Stanley Clarke. These artists kept me practicing all the time, but my first gig I bombed out because I was super nervous.

RF: How did you get into reggae music?

RD: Bob Marley’s Confrontation was my first reggae album given to me by my mother’s friend. Since I was coming from a strong jazz/funk string popping style, it took a while to understand the vibe of reggae music and reggae bass. I just kept adding more notes because I didn’t understand if you give the rhythm space, it will groove.

RF: What was the name of your first band and other early projects you were a part of?

RD:  In New York, I jammed with some awesome musicians in high school. World-class bassist, Marcus Miller, was instrumental in letting me understand the versatility of playing bass. I would catch him from time to time in the auditorium practicing and he would let me see how things were done. After high school, I went to Buffalo and began to work with two college jazz bands where I became a good site reader and took music lessons. I joined up with a brother from Africa and he introduced me to more reggae, Fela Kuti, Sunny Ade and lots of Jimi Hendrix. We formed a group called Earth Blessings and had opportunities to open up for reggae groups such as Black Uhuru, Mighty Diamonds, Maxi Priest and others.

I moved to Washington DC and that was really the time I got solid as a reggae bass player after hanging out with all the Rastamen in DC and listening and seeing lots of real authentic reggae music played daily. I  also got tired of hearing “Rasclot Yankee bwoy nah play the bass right!!!!!”

So, I got real serious on playing bass and vocals cause dem Ras deh nah romp wit the slackness pon the music! I then came to North Carolina and linked up with some other reggae musicians here and eventually formed my own band, Crucial Fiya, and we were allowed opportunities to open and back many reggae artists that came to North Carolina.

RF: Talk a little about what drives you to devote such a big part of your energy towards recording and making albums and traveling around playing this music for people?


RD: It was veteran reggae artist, Mikey Dread, who really put me on the map as a true reggae bassist with performing and touring. While working with him, I got a deeper understanding of the term “Word, Sound & Power” as it relates to reggae music and Rastafari Livity. I love to see people free up and let the vibrations take over their bodies and spirits.

RF: Who are some of the artists you have helped produce?

RD:  I’m just now getting into producing other artists, and I have worked with many local artists to provide platforms to work with our band on certain shows. It is always a great opportunity for us to work with them.

RF: What are some of the current projects you are working on?

RD: We currently have two songs out on our label, Imperial Choice Music. “High Praise” and “Far as the Eye Can See,” which also has a video on Reggaeville.com.  It’s our first real video and we are recording the rest of the project which should be done sometime in 2023.

RF: What is your message to the people and younger bands inspired by reggae?


RD: My message is to first live up to the true meaning of One Love. Associate and learn from other musicians and listen to other music. People will come and go and have different life opportunities and choices. You may be the only one left holding the ball. Just live to your truth, love and respect others as you want to be loved and respected. Reggae music is international and the sun and moon shines on all of us. Jah Guidance to all.

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Born in Coastal NC, Carl Blackmon grew up on Oak Island. He loved reggae from an early age and was able to connect and play keyboards for some of the greats in reggae, such as The Itals and Culture. Carl currently lives in Wilmington NC, with his fiancee and two children. He plays keyboards for Signal Fire and The Give Thanks Band.

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