Jah Decko is a Suriname-born roots reggae artist based near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. A former professional footballer, he has been involved in music for more than two decades, developing a sound characterized by deep basslines, live instrumentation, socially conscious lyrics and a soulful, often melancholic feel. His music is influenced by roots reggae and classic soul, with artists including Bob Marley, Midnite, Burning Spear, Ijahman Levi, Otis Redding and Percy Sledge among his inspirations. His latest album, Love Who Loves You Back, marks a new chapter in his career, with English taking a central role while his Surinamese roots and Rastafari-inspired values remain an important part of his music.
With Love Who Loves You Back out now, we took some time to hear from Jah Decko. Read below to learn more about Jah Decko, the story behind Love Who Loves You Back, and what’s to come.
Hi Jah Decko! Let’s start with how did you choose your stage name?
Decko has been my street name since I was young. Later, I added “Jah” in front of it because that reflects how I live my life: Jah first, before everything. So, Jah Decko is more than just a stage name. Decko is who I have always been, and Jah represents my belief that God comes first in everything I do.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I’m from Amsterdam, and I still live very close to Amsterdam today. It has always been the area I consider home.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
Music was always a hobby that grew into something much bigger for me. Because I already had a career in professional football, music was something I did alongside it for many years. It was really after my football career that I started taking production and music more seriously. And now, with the release of my new album, I would say that I am more focused on my career as an artist than I have ever been before. So in a way, this chapter of my musical career is really only just beginning.
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as roots reggae with strong, heavy basslines and a melancholic tone that often runs through the music. That combination of deep bass and a certain melancholy is something that really characterizes my sound.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
My musical influences range from old-school soul artists like Otis Redding and Percy Sledge to reggae artists such as Bob Marley, Midnite, Burning Spear and Ijahman Levi. There are honestly too many to mention. For me, it goes beyond a particular genre. Wherever there is music with real soul and feeling in it, I can find inspiration.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would probably choose Midnite. For me, after Bob Marley, Midnite is one of the greatest roots reggae acts of all time. I also had the opportunity to experience Midnite performing live, which makes that connection more personal for me. Bob Marley passed away when I was still a baby, so I never had the chance to experience him in person. That’s why, if I had to choose one collaboration, it would be Midnite. Their music, message and approach to roots reggae have had a major influence on me.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
My hobbies are still very much connected to sports, especially football. I also enjoy watching movies, relaxing and simply listening to music. Those are the things I mainly do outside of making music. And of course, listening to music also keeps me creative because you can always hear something that gives you a new feeling or inspiration.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Some of my proudest moments are when people come up to me and tell me that my music has genuinely helped them. I’ve had people tell me that they used to start every morning by playing one of my songs. I also remember a woman telling me that she was going through a very difficult period in her life and that my music helped her get through it and find the strength to get back on her feet. Those kinds of moments mean a lot to me. Knowing that something I created can have that kind of positive effect on someone is what really makes me proud.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
You never stop learning. But one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that if you really want to achieve something, you have to give it one hundred percent. Whether it is in music, sport or anything else in life, if you want to reach a certain level or get somewhere, you have to be willing to put everything into it. Nothing comes by itself. For me, that mindset of commitment and giving your all is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned.
Now onto your release, Love Who Loves You Back. What inspired this album?
The album was really inspired by the times we were living through. A lot of my music comes from observing what is happening around me and translating those experiences and feelings into songs. Some of the tracks, for example, have their roots in the period around COVID. Different situations in society, things happening around us and the way people were living through those moments all became part of the inspiration. So Love Who Loves You Back is, in many ways, a reflection of the time and the different experiences that came with it.
What is the overall theme of Love Who Loves You Back?
The overall theme is really in the title: Love Who Loves You Back. You can have a lot of love to give, but I believe you should also value the people who genuinely give that love back to you. Love shouldn’t always be one-sided. Whether it is between partners, family or people around you, there should be something mutual in it. So the message is simple: appreciate and give your love to the people who truly love you back.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for Love Who Loves You Back?
I actually gave a few different designers the freedom to come up with their own ideas for the cover. I didn’t give them too many restrictions because I wanted to see what they would create from their own perspective. In the end, this particular design simply spoke to me the most. Sometimes you don’t need to overthink it — you see something and immediately feel that it fits the project. That was the case with this cover.
What was the creative process like when making Love Who Loves You Back?
The creative process was very natural. We really took our time with everything and nothing was rushed. Most of the work was done when Jacques and I were together in the studio and genuinely had the time and space to focus on the music. We never wanted to force anything or work under unnecessary time pressure. We worked spontaneously, took our time with each track and kept going until we reached the point where we both felt, “Yes, this is really finished now.” I think that freedom and lack of pressure became an important part of the creative process behind the album.
How long did it take to complete Love Who Loves You Back?
From the recording of the first track to completing the album, I would say it took around four years. But in the beginning, there was never really a plan to make an album. I was simply recording tracks whenever the inspiration was there. Over time, I kept recording more and more songs until eventually I reached a point where I thought, “Okay, now I have enough strong material. I can actually turn this into an album.” So those four years weren’t four years of constantly working on an album. The album gradually came together on its own.
Is there a specific song on Love Who Loves You Back that speaks to you the most? If so, why?
It’s difficult for me to choose one specific song because every song on the album represents something about me. But in terms of how I look at life and the world around me, I would probably choose “Fyah Pon.” The song addresses injustice and the decisions made by governments and world leaders that ultimately affect ordinary people. We see the cost of living becoming extremely high, sanctions being imposed and decisions being made at the top, while it is often the everyday citizen who has to deal with the consequences. That socially conscious side has always been an important part of my music. That’s why “Fyah Pon” is definitely one of the tracks on the album that speaks to me the most.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from Love Who Loves You Back and your music in general?
I think every person can take something different from the music. One person might connect with a particular line, someone else with a chorus, a verse or simply the feeling of a song. For me, if somebody listens to my music, enjoys it and takes something positive from it that makes them feel good, that is already a blessing. I don’t need everyone to take away exactly the same message. Music can mean something different to each person, and that is part of its beauty.
What’s next? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
At the moment, my team is working on putting together an album release party in November for Love Who Loves You Back. We are also working on plans for a small club tour in the Netherlands. Nothing has been officially announced yet, but as soon as the dates and venues are confirmed, we will definitely keep everyone updated. And of course, we are open to seeing what other opportunities come from the release of the album.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahdecko
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@inamrecords
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jahdecko
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Jah-Decko-61559437443398
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jahdecko
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
