Blessed Love, One and All. This Week in Reggae: BUJU BANTON finally makes his triumphant return. Also, in BUJU news, there seems to have been reconciliation in the contentious relationship between the Gargamel and his oldest son, producer MARKUS MYRIE, over the rumored love affair between the Markus and D’ Angel, though D’ANGEL swears she does not want to date another dancehall artist after BOUNTY KILLER and BEENIE MAN. KOFFEE releases her much anticipated EP “Rapture”. Research finds that experiencing live music early in life impacts attitudes towards new activities and experiences, in particular Reggae and Classical music. SQUASH responds to a viral pic of him in a hospital bed. Trojan Records will release the album “Pretty Africa” on April 13th with previously unheard recordings of DESMOND DEKKER. BUJU BANTON feeds the needy.
– A Likkle Labrish –
GARGAMEL CAME, SAW AND CONQUERED
For almost two hours, reggae artiste Mark Myrie, aka “Buju Banton” delivered from his portfolio of hits to an ecstatic crowd of 35,000 fans. His Long Walk to Freedom opening evening was a resounding success and the consummate performer did not miss a beat, from the opener Not An Easy Road to the finale with his beautiful rendition of the 23rd Psalm.
Dressed in an all-white ensemble with his dreadlocks flowing free, a pensive Buju Banton stepped on stage around 11:20 pm and opened his set with a worship song asking, “Lamb of God, Have Mercy on Me” in which took a bended knee. He then seamlessly flowed into Not An Easy Road and proceeded to take the audience on a musical journey through hit after hit while dancing his way across the stage with the agility of a young man. Any questions if the decade away from the limelight had taken a toll on his showmanship were soon answered resoundingly. Classics such as Hills And Valleys and Destiny were interspersed with dancehall hits such as Champion and Too Bad. He was carried through the evening by an impeccable performance by the “Til Shiloh Band”.
His finals words closing the evening were “We Love You“. The performance seemed cathartic, his troubles now relegated to the past and his sins forgiven by his people. Fireworks erupted in the sky over Kingston’s National Stadium to welcome back the Gargamel.
FULL POST: http://reggaeinseattle.com/gargamel-came-saw-and-conquered/
RECONCILIATION BETWEEN FATHER AND SON
Markus Myrie issued a public apology to his father Buju Banton and Reggae and Dancehall fans days after launching a media attack on his father:
I am a man. One who refuses to carry the burdens of the past into a future that will see me with children. For their sake I will break the generational curse. My only regret is that I allowed myself to get so blinded by anger that I said things about my father and to the public that i shouldn’t have said, but let he without sin cast the first stone. I have no hatred in my heart for my father.
My only disappointment is the undelivered expectation of a father who refuses to see fatherhood as more than just a title and financial support. Your absence has nothing to do with prison and you know that. Still, I forgive you regardless. I hope one day you decide to be a better father, don’t do it for me; do it for my siblings who are suffering (emotionally).
When you love people, you tell them the truth regardless of repercussions for example this ridiculous altercations. Many of you may think you know the situation but remember that you weren’t there and he’s my father, not yours.
I ask you all to please keep the family in your prayers as I will. I love you @Bujuofficial #Myrie #Family.
In the days leading up to Buju Banton’s comeback concert “Long Walk To Freedom” tension was rising between the singer and his son, producer Markus Myrie, over Buju’s dislike of Markus’ rumored romantic involvement with dancehall artist D’Angel. It is reported to have culminated in an physical altercation last week at Gargamel Music Studios in St Andrew, with a police report for assault filed against Buju with the Constant Spring Police. Markus had taken shots at his father. We all hope and pray that the father and son can overcome their tense relationship and come together in One Love.
FULL POST: http://reggaeinseattle.com/reconciliation-between-father-and-son
D’ANGEL – NO TO DATING DANCEHALL ARTISTS
I am not interested in getting in a relationship with another one because I have been through enough. Mi fraid a entertainer because one, it is competitive that it becomes a power struggle. I thought it would be easier to date someone that had the same career, but one minute, the limelight deh pon you more, or it nuh deh pon me today, and then there is a clash of egos.
She said she still has a place in her heart for her ex-husband Beenie Man and ex-boyfriend Bounty Killer.
Rumor is that she is dating Buju Banton’s oldest son, producer Markus Myrie, and this was part of the recent father-son public fallout.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/dangel-refuses-to-date-another-dancehall-artist/
KOFFEE RELEASES EP “RAPTURE”
Mikayla Simpson aka “KOFFEE” has released her highly-anticipated debut EP named “Rapture”. The successful singles “Toast” and “Throne” are included, both of which have already amassed millions of streams, and showcasing her experimental style, with its minimalist rhythmic hits and bassline, and clever lyrical delivery.
She enjoys the support from luminaries such as Chronixx, Cocoa Tea, and Proteje. Rapture is a statement from one of the brightest young female stars to emerge from the conscious end of dancehall music.
REGGAE OPENS MINDS STUDY CONCLUDES
Research finds that experiencing live music early in life impacts attitudes towards new activities and experiences. People who were exposed to Reggae and Classical music in their childhood are more likely to broaden their social, cultural and culinary boundaries than people exposed to other musical genres.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/reggae-opens-minds/
SQUASH RESPONDS TO VIRAL PIC
The rumor mill on social media started churning after this picture started circulating of SQUASH in a hospital bed. People were concerned that he is sick. However, it is a picture from a video that one of his friends posted online without the artist’s knowledge. The 6ix boss is very much alive and well:
wah gwaan now.. yeah people 6ix boss nuh deh a nuh hospital, my apology… mi nuh inna nuh hospital… that was my video shoot
He went on to thank everyone who wished him well and had been concerned about him.
LOST DESMOND DEKKER ALBUM
Trojan Records will release the album “Pretty Africa” on April 13th with previously unheard recordings of Desmond Dekker & The Aces from sessions at Chalk Farm Studio in 1973.
They recorded a dozen backing tracks intended for release on a new album. However, the material never saw the light of day and remained in the Trojan vaults until it was discovered last year.It is a fitting start to a year where Desmond Dekker’s U.K. Number One hit “Israelites”turns 50. It was the first Jamaican produced song to top the charts.
Listen to the title track Pretty Africa here:
BUJU BANTON FEEDS THE HUNGRY
– Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor –
– Proverbs 22:9
BUJU BANTON took to the streets to share his blessings with Jamaica’s homeless. Following his electric performance on March 16 at the National Stadium in Kingston, the artist did not rest on his laurels but continued his good works by walking the streets of Kingston’s waterfront and other part of the busy city, handing out food to the needy.
– New Music –
ALKALINE – WITH THE THING
KOFFEE – RAPTURE
STYLO G AND GOVANA – DESIGNER
JADA KINGDOM – BEST YOU EVER HAD
– The Happenings: Local Reggae News –
It’s with sad news that we must mention the untimely death of one of legendary hip-hop DJ and Graffiti Artist Jeff “Soul Uno” Higashi, aka DJ SOUL ONE. The outpouring of love and support for him and his family bears witness to the positive impact he’s had in Seattle and the local music scene. Zions Gate Sound is hosting a Musical Tribute to DJ Soul One on Monday night March 25th at the Monkey Loft. Many of the local DJs are coming out to pay tribute include Selecta Matsui, DJ Element, and Y2K. There has been a GoFundMe page set up for the family.
This past week saw Black Uhuru perform at Nectar Lounge. They performed their long loved hits such as Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Solidarity, Sensemilla, and my favorite Shine Eye Gal; along with new songs As the World Turns, and Chalice.
THIS SATURDAY the Red Lounge presents their Cool It Dance Off Affair! Ladies free before 11:00PM!!
UPCOMING SHOWS include MAX ROMEO and DUBTONIC KRU April 3, 2019; JAH BOUKS at the Red Lounge on Saturday, April 6th. And, the legendary British Reggae band that is STEEL PULSE is playing at The Showbox on Tuesday, April 9th. Steel Pulse has new music, and the show is sure to sell out. Tickets are on sale now!
And, don’t forget LEILANI WOLFGRAMM with Sol Seed, Rebel Lion appearing at Nectar Lounge on April 21, 2019. We have a lot of great shows happening in April.
GET YOUR TICKETS for these key performances by Jamaican reggae and dancehall artists Kranium along with Jada Kingdom performing at Nectar Lounge on Friday, June 7th and Konshens performing at the Red Lounge on Saturday, June 8th. Both of these shows will be great shows. So get ready to turn up!
If you have a local reggae event, you’d like for us to include in This Week in Reggae; please contact us at info [at] reggaeinseattle [dot] com.
– Blessed Earth Strong –
This week we celebrate the Blessed Earth Strong of the following artists:
Mar 18 – Leroy May aka “Red Dragon”
Mar 19 – Wayne Wade
Mar 19 – Winston “Pipe” Matthews
Mar 20 – Lee “Scratch” Perry
Mar 20 – Alphonso Martin
Mar 22 – Ken Boothe
– This Week in Reggae Playlist –
In honor of BUJU BANTON’s first concert since his release from prison, this week’s playlist is dedicated to him.
– Meditation of the Week –
“Peace demands the united efforts of us all”
– Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia –
UNTIL NEXT WEEK – ONE LOVE
