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For many of you the name of Ras Tafari Elijahwill not be very familiar, yet if you love reggae

Roots necessarily you have seen his work. He isthe author of many album covers from the VI.

some of which include Midnite band.You will notice that the design of our coveragealso his work and we offer you another in thecenter of mag in double page. Big up to him.

reetings, can you tell us who you are and where you from ?Greetings, My Name is Ras Elijah Tafari, I am an artist for Emperor Haile Selassie I.

In His Majestic Plan I was Born in Egypt,Gof Nubian descent and left by the Nile in a Church where my brother and I were adopted. Bles-

sed to be surrounded by the rich culture, art and temples of Kemit, our new parents took us all

over the world and we settled in the High Deserts of New Mexico. The vastness of this land has

moved InI, sometimes seen when I paint sunsets, which both New Mexico and Egypt are known

for. As an adult I continued traveling, moved to learn of this Great King Haile Selassie the First,

kept moving and painting, leaving murals in 5 countries along the way. InI keep returning to the

land of Enchantment where InI live with InI Empress and six children, and from New Mexico we

send everyone Love in His Precious Name.

Did you learned painting or drawing ? As long as I can remember I have painted, it is so deeply innate within that I am sure I have

been doing it for more than this lifetime. InI didnt choose it, it chose I. It took some time, and I

realized that art is about liberation, freeing myself of internal conflicts, expressing purposely to

resonate visually and through livity that we must conquer fear. Fear is the opposite of love.. Co-

lors are a science as well as movement, through devotion, InI art became a way to honor the

Creator, It became a great joy to share the face and feeling of His Imperial Majesty, Real Love, It

is He that liberated InI Heart, and therefore liberated I Art. In art, like life, One cannot fear chaos.

Every color has it powers, no canvas is too rough nor too big, no accidents, everything builds

each other. It becomes about placement and order, balance and disassociation. Life likewise is

abstract; existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or limited existence.

I started publishing comics very young, one of which caught the attention of both Martian Lu-

ther King Jr's grandson as well as Mahatma Gandhi's grandson who honored the works. To this

day I still make comics, most recently about Organic Farming and working together cooperati-

vely. Our next project will be with the Reggae artist Rocker-T who has an amazing vision that is

being scripted and will be more than a comic. Vaughn Benjamin (Midnite) calls them, "Street

Saga's" and I certainly hope that it will be something the streets will love and absorb.

In time through the grace of H.I.M. I was able to go to Zion, Ethiopia to give thanks and study

art and paint. I met an excellent artist whom I look forward to collaborating with Ras Merid Te-

fesse, whose images carved their etching in InI soul. If it is in Jah Plans, One day I would like to

do a massive mural in Ethiopia that will change lives and outlooks, working with many souls

that can make the painting a living prayer. Something the size of a football field Jah willing.

In the works are a series of paintings collaborating with His Imperial Majesties Great Grand

Daughter Weyzerit Rahel Fikre Selassie, a true honor, from one whom likewise art has invoked

the passion of liberation. Coming soon are Album covers for a host of Reggae artists, including

France's own Ashaman, as well as Asaliah Gad Jahlawa coming out of Ethiopia via Guade-

loupe, also Lionheart Sounds out of Oakland is going to be an epic piece.

copyright Ras Elijah Tafari

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RAS ELIJAH TAFARI

Are you a musician ?Am I a musician? Like being an artist InI all

are musicians, its about making the time to

discipline one self in the art. We are all here

to praise Jah and sing, and Rastafari com-

manded that InI do I part in the mission for Sal-

vation. I have been working on an album that is

focused on Emperor Haile Selassie I using Hip

Hop, RnB, African Melodies, and Reggae. To be

able to witness and it affect others is a powerful

honor, it is one that should encourage others to

lift their voice and testify to the Mercy of Jah.

One of the tunes I am looking forward to sha-

ring is a 17 min HipHop track that is entirely a

biography of the Emperor. Blessed to link with

Laurent Tippy of I-Grade Records and hearing

he will be mixing the tune, big up I-Sigh making

a video to line up with the great history of the

King of Kings. The Album is titled, "The Book of

Elijah Chapter One Haile Selassie I." InI hope

the message is felt, one unique tune are just the

words of the Emperor sang.

MYSTERY

RIVER

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How did you met the Midnite and how did you

work with us ?In Albuquerque the teachings of the Emperor have tou-

ched our lives so much that they have shaped them. I

learned of His Imperial Majesty in New Mexico, and there

are many Mystic Ras that have stayed in the land of en-

chantment. Mystic Vision asked Vaughn to come to New

Mexico and just vibe. No ex-

pectations, just wanted to

share and learn from the

Lord. We all agree that

Vaughn Benjamin's words are

the most prolific words we

had ever heard put on a rid-

dim, it was enough to just sit

and be introduced to the man

known as Midnite. That was

about 10 years ago now, and

the Midnite Mystic Vision Col-

laboration album, "Current"

was born. As we watched the

songs being sang in the stu-

dio, it seemed everyone was

in place to continue making

albums and it happen very

naturally, two albums were

created that way. Many of us

in New Mexico listened to

Midnite strictly and became

immersed in his lyrics. In time Fifth Son Records in Taos

started collaborating and continued the New Mexico Itri-

bution to Midnite Albums. Fifth Son Record Producer Joa-

quin Wilson would produce and play bass for 6 Midnite

albums with more to come. Joaquin is a very creative and

would challenge InI to go outside what I was used to artis-

tically. This is great if one wants to be better, the idea on

the "Standing Ground" cover of the water reflecting onto

His Majesty from a light inside the water is a great exam-

ple. Vaughn sometimes will add input into the art though

most of the time he allows the artistic freedom an artist

would desire.

Do you use computer to work and what kind of soft-

ware and what is a good cover for you ?Computers...funny enough after seeing how the Midnite album "

New 1000 " printed, the cover looked very distorted and I said,

"never again.." as an artist you want your voice or art to look and

sound clear and undistorted. That image was my inspiration to

learn how to do the graphic design work myself and avoid feeling

like the art was comprised. I use Adobe Photoshop since you

asked, Reggae artist Emani gave InI

a computer!.. and taught I the basics

of the program and also how to re-

cord music, still grateful.

I don't have a favorite Album Cover,

each one has a powerful history and

experience attached. The newest

one, " Be Strong" was a vision and

a dream, it was the first painting that

demanded itself into being. I could

say a lot about that one, it takes

place at the Bering Strait, a place

where the East and West are very

close. " 21 Diamonds" the inside

of Standing Ground took the longest

and was the first painting that I spent

all the time InI needed, and made

with organic paints, making the co-

lors truly natural. "In Awe" is a po-

werful piece inspired by Vaughn

Benjamin's words to the fullest and

means so much because of it. Vaughn has blessed many and

has through his music has shown that responsibility and livity

must be exercised in reality.

Are you Rasta ?

We are all servants of His Imperial Majesty and Our Love of

Rastafari is demonstrated in the way We think, feel, and create.

Our Duty is to Jah, and it is He that is to be praised by word and

deeds. We do what we do for Jah, not for vanity, not for money.

No one can impress Jah, all we can do is our best, likewise I pray

these words are acceptable in His Sight. Blessed Love France

and Planet Earth. Haile Selassie I Jah Ras Tafari.

HAILE SELASSIE I . JAH RASTAFARI".

S.K.C

ARTWORK RAS ELIJAH TAFARI

‘’InI art became

a way to honor

the Creator’’