AS ONE of Hollywood’s biggest stars, it’s perhaps no surprise that people may want to claim Eddie Murphy as ‘theirs’.
In this instance, it was the release of reggae music from the revered actor and comedian, which sparked the false rumour that the 53-year-old is Jamaican.
Following the 2013 release of Murphy’s reggae single Red Light, which featured rapper Snoop Lion, the Beverly Hills Cop star said that a story began circulating that he hailed from the Caribbean island.
“No, I’m not Jamaican,” Murphy said in an exclusive interview with The Voice. “But after I put out Red Light, I heard a rumour that I was Jamaican.”
Breaking into a Jamaican accent to mimic those spreading the rumour, Murphy teased: “‘Yeah man, his family is from here. Dem come from Nine Mile. I did know him when him was young. And if you listen to di song, you can tell him is really from here you know, because it sound authentic!’”
Murphy, who is gearing up to release his new reggae single Oh Jah Jah at the end of the month, says he has been to the island on several occasions.
“I’ve been there quite a few times and I love Jamaican music, culture and the people.”
Asked if he has any plans to go to Jamaica to record more music, he said: “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t have any plans to, but there are a bunch of Jamaican artists I like, so who knows?
“My favourite [Jamaican artist] right now is Chronixx. I also like Beenie Man and I like old stuff too. I like Garnett Silk and of course, I love Bob Marley.”