Darrin O'Brien is as sober and soft as a snowflake
By Marcus Maleus
GAZETTE STAFF
September 14, 2001
Considering the inexplicable popularity of Snow's
breakthrough single "Informer" in the early 90s, many thought it
would be the beginning and end of commercial success for the rap/reggae
musician from Scarborough, Ontario.
Snow, also known as Darrin O'Brien, spent his early days listening to
reggae music and attempting to make out the often mumbled lyrics. Growing
up in rough and tumble Scarborough gave him realistic inspiration for hard
rap/reggae music. Despite this, he insists he never came out with any
particularly negative music.
"Informer," the catchy reggae tune riddled with, at times,
un-decipherable lyrics, proved to be an astounding success in both Canada
and the United States. The song made its way into the Guinness Book of
World Records twice. Once, as the highest selling reggae single in United
States history and again as the highest charting reggae single in United
Kingdom history.
The feeling of breaking sales and chart records of most of his childhood
heroes presents strange feelings for O'Brien.
"It's kind of weird 'cause it's a white guy doing it," O'Brien
says. "I'm not even from Jamaica. It's almost like Bob Marley or
someone should have it."
O'Brien strongly disagrees with anyone who believes that in order to be
able to write hardcore rap or reggae, you need to grow up in the ghetto.
"Everyone can write hardcore rap because, in a way, everyone's had a
rough up-bringing."
In the years since the success of the single "Informer" and his
album 12 Inches of Snow, O'Brien's music has seen a number of stylistic
and inspirational changes.
A number of factors came into play in the changing of his musical sound
– the birth of his daughter Justuss six years ago and his personal
decision to stay sober, are two of the most significant.
Justuss helps out her father by putting a critical ear to all his new
material. "After I finish a new song in the studio, I play it for her
to see if she likes it." She is, however, not the final say on his
material; that's still daddy's decision.
Three years ago, after realizing the staggaring effects alcohol had on
him, O'Brien made the concious decision to give up drinking. "I just
did it 'cause it was bad for me. I wasn't a person who would drink and
have fun. I'd get angry, so I had to give it up. It was [an easy decision]
when I thought of the stupid stuff I did when I was drunk," he
admits.
Although his decision to quit drinking was a conscious one, O'Brien
insists the change in sound was unconscious.
"I worked with people who played more guitar, more bass and more real
drummers. I had more variety and this is what came out; whatever I felt at
that moment."
O'Brien classifies this new sound, featuring more vocals and live
instruments, as 'soda,' "Someone once told me, 'you know, it's kind
of pop,' and I said, nah, it's more soda," he laughs.
The new 'soda' sound has brought O'Brien together with a number of
big-name Canadian musicians, including Moist's David Usher, Treble Charger
and Sum 41. He has even managed to collaborate with his daughter Justuss
on a children's album.
No need to fret though. The reggae inspiration he was once famous for is
slowly working its way back into his new material. "Some people like
the old stuff, some like the new. That's why I'm giving them more reggae
on the new album. I love doing both singing and reggae."
Music has not been the only project on O'Brien's agenda. He recently
starred as a prison guard in the Robert DeNiro-directed film, Prison Song.
Having spent 18 months in jail for murder, a charge he was later acquitted
on, O'Brien was well prepared for the part.
As far as future movie projects are concerned, O'Brien remains uncertain.
"I have to see this one first, you know, see how I did. If it's
really bad, then I'll stay away from that."