Interview: Ian Sweetness

BADH: Could you please tell BADH readers what your name is?
Ian: Yeah, all right, Ian Sweetness this.

BADH: How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a singer?
Ian: Well, when I was young, you know (he pauses as if to think). Very, very young. Hmmm, I can't point out which age still, but I was very young.

BADH: Did you start off singing in the church? The reason I asked this is because a lot of singers started out in a church choir.
Ian: Yeah. I started from inna di church, you know what I mean? In the area in the ghetto, a ghetto superstar. (He laughs).

BADH: Who was your most inspirational performer before you started out performing and why?
Ian: Teddy Pendagrass, because of the way he performs. The energy, excitement and the spiritual feeling he gives and Michael Jackson. Yeah, dem two.

BADH: Can you tell our BADH readers who may not know your name, but know your voice some of the songs you have performed?
Ian: "First Year Love" in 1993 on the Penthouse label, "Show a Likkle Kindness" in 1993 on Bobby Digital and more tunes for Jammy's and all other major producers.

BADH: Who are some of the artist you have worked with throughout your busy career?
Ian: Well, to tell you who I worked with, I would have to call everybody's name, know what I'm saying? I have worked with the king, Dennis Brown, Third World, Freddie McGreggor, Ghost, my friend, Shabba, everybody man, everybody (he smiles at this).

BADH: If you were to do a duet with any artist of your choice, who would that person be and why?
Ian: It must be a female artist. (He pauses for a minute) Who can I say now?....Nadine Sutherland, because a long time I hear bout Nadine ( singer of the 1993 hit "Action" in duet with Terror Fabulous) before I knew I was going to be a singer. Nadine is one of the "more up to date" with her stuff. Marcia Griffith, yeah, mmmmmmmmmm.

BADH: I never got the chance to tell you that you made me feel so special when you came to my birthday party and sang to me. Thank you so much.
Ian: (He laughs and tells me thanks. He has a look on his face as if he is reliving the night of the party).

BADH: May I ask you how old are you?
Ian: Well, right now me a turn 35 years old.

BADH: What is your zodiac sign and what signs do you think you are compatible with?
Ian: Sagittarius, all a di December, August and February ladies. Dem nice! (he has a big smile on his face).

BADH: Are you single or involved?
Ian: I'm single right now. (He has a serious look on his face when I asked him this question. I decided not to ask anymore questions on this subject).

BADH: What are some qualities you like in a woman?
Ian: She has to be progressive and has to represent me. She has to be intelligent with a head on her shoulders.

BADH: If a person was interested in booking you for an event or show, how could they get in contact with you?
Ian: I can be reached at Ras Moses at Inner Beat Records. I have a number one tune in Florida right now called "Little Green Apple". It a bust di place now.

**I have to give thanks to Ian for taking the time out to do this interview for me. Not only did he do the interview, but he took me around Don One's Studio and introduced me to some artists that I have to feature here on BADH in the future. Ian, I wish you much success and happiness in your future. Thanks for giving me a chance and believing in me from the beginning. May GOD always bless you!!