DESPITE global acceptance, roots singer Natural Black believes Rastafarians are still being discriminated against in Jamaica.

“The Rastafari movement is not being treated fairly and the evolution of the Rastafari movement has been halted,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

He cited the infamous Coral Gardens incident in Montego Bay on Good Friday, April 11, 1963, which saw eight persons including three Rastafarians being killed in an alleged face-off with the military and police. At that time, Rastas were regarded as “enemies of the State”.

Natural Black, who hails from Guyana, said, while not as intense, a similar situation exists in his homeland.

“Guyana is celebrating 56 years of independence from Great Britain and Rastafari members in Guyana get a lot of fight too for what reason I don’t know. Still they manage to guh through,” he said.

At a recent unveiling of a Miss Lou maquette at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange noted that Rastafari is the only religion formed in the 20th century and is African to its core.

With roots in Kingston in the 1930s, the movement has been adopted by many groups around the world. Some followers of the faith regard former Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie I as God.

He reportedly died in a coup in Ethiopia on August 26, 1975.

Notwithstanding the challenges, Natural Black believes Rastafari has a message the youth need today.

“Rastafari movement is always relevant. Di youth dem need di teachings. It will carry dem through,” he said.

Natural Black previously cut his locks but, according to the singer, his lifestyle and music are proof that he is Rasta — not a hairstyle.

“I think I had my time with the dreadlocks fashion hairstyle. Not interested much in locks anymore… Still grow my hair to a level, still roots, still cultural with messages in my music at all times, and the teaching of Rastafari always lives within,” he said.

Natural Black is looking to enhance his career with his latest single Hard To Stay Away.

“Hard To Stay Away is fairly new, but for those who haven’t seen and heard from Natural Black in a while it’s like thanks again Natural [for releasing new material]. My fans have been waiting and now dem glad to know fi dem artiste back on track with a great restart,” he said.

Produced by Sekou, the track was officially released on August 26.

“This track is really about my own life; it is really hard to stay away from the one you love. It is very relatable,” the singer said.

Natural Black, given name Mortimer Duke Softley, has been in Jamaica for the past two decades. He has released a slew of songs, including Far From Reality, I Life Be The Same, Never Leave You Lonely, and There Is A Place.