SINGER DAVID McANUFF STICKS TO HIS “AFRICAN HERITAGE!”

SINCE settling permanently in Japan almost 30 years ago, singer David ‘Mackaruffin’ McAnuff has become a major part of that country’s reggae scene.

The Tokyo-based artist maintains that presence with African Heritage, an empowerment song that is being used by Japan’s health ministry as part of its anti-drug campaign.

McAnuff, who is in his mid-50s, produced the song which is distributed by Real Axe, a French independent company.

He is not surprised it has caught on in his adopted country.

“The reasons for this is because of the message and the reality of the song. Wherever we go and perform it, the response is great,” he said.

African Heritage is the lead song from Power of Jah Love, McAnuff’s eighth album which is scheduled for release in early 2016.

The younger brother of roots singer Winston McAnuff, David McAnuff started his career in the late 1970s as a drummer on the North Coast hotel circuit, playing with the Kush band.

He moved to Japan in the late 1980s when there was a reggae boom in that country, and established himself as a singer on the festival and club scene.

—  By Howard Campbell