Writer Luther Mackenzie showcases his creativity in his latest novel, The Singing Village.

Howard Campbell

SOUTH FLORIDA – For those in the know, Luther “Luther Mack” Mackenzie is a pillar of the South Florida reggae scene. In the 1990s he was president of Shang Records, a company that promoted and managed the careers of dancehall stars such as Shabba Ranks and Patra.

But over the years, Mackenzie kept one side of him a secret. Few people know that he is a prolific screenwriter.

Last August, McKenzie released singing villagehis first book, which he describes as “historical fiction”.

The idea to write a screenplay about black slaves who “magically turn white in order to survive” came to him 10 years ago while visiting family in his native Portland, east Jamaica.

It has grown into a 244-page book spanning two centuries.

“It’s an intriguing story, it has all the elements of what you would call an escapist film,” said McKenzie, who completed the project during the loneliness of COVID-19.

It took him just over two months to complete a story that had been roaming around in his head for over ten years. When it came to putting it on paper, his scripting experience helped make things easier.

“I did a little research on slavery to understand when the trade started and when it ended. But this whole story is fiction,” said Mackenzie.

An active imagination piqued Mackenzie’s interest in writing as early as his growing up days in Manchionial, a fishing district in Portland. Moving to the United States at the age of 10, he played in reggae bands in New York City, but also earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Atlantic International University and a master’s degree in writing from Southern New Hampshire University.

But even though Mackenzie dabbled in screenwriting, Mackenzie’s main interest was promoting reggae events in South Florida, where he moved in 1985. Ten years later, he and Clifton “The Specialist” Dillon ran Shang Records, which presided over the careers of gold-selling artists. such as Shabba Ranks, Patra and Mad Cobra. In addition, he also managed Kai-Mani Marley.

McKenzie plans to use the marketing skills that helped these bands succeed in pop music for Singing Village, which he believes has the potential to become a movie.

“When people read the book or listen to it, I’m sure they will agree,” he said.