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| Tony Rebel |
#savejamusic: Recently in an article published in the Jamaica Observer, veteran Reggae sing-jay and promoter of the annual Rebel Salute show Tony Rebel, shared a positive outlook of the future of Jamaica’s music and the emerging artistes. “Mi Love it, the youths dem a say positive things an that’s what the music an the country needs. It’s what we promoting that dem singing” said Tony Rebel.
Promoting his annual event that has now evolved to a Roots, Reggae Festival and will be held from January 18-19 at a new location, the Richmond Estate in the parish of St. Ann, Tony Rebel told the Jamaica Observer writer that as organisers of the annual roots show which was first staged in 1994, they have been providing a stage for emerging neo-roots Reggae artistes to create a stir. Rebel observed, that the current revival bears a glaring similarity to the movement he was involved. “Every time the music seems to be going to the ground a cultural segment rises to bring it back. It happens every 10 years,” he said.
According to Howard Campbell, the previous resurgence to which Tony Rebel refer occurred in 2004 with the emergence of artistes such as Fantan Mojah, Turbulence, I Wayne and Queen Ifrica. Unlike their predecessors, the current batch of Rastafarian artistes have not produced a flood of hit songs. However they have appeared on numerous live events with Rebel Salute being the biggest for some.
The article painted very enlightening and interesting picture of Jamaica’s music at 50 years. In regards to absence of hit songs from Jamaica’s young Reggae artistes, Tony Rebel’s belief is that the lack of mainstream success should not be a concern at this point he said, “Once they’re (the artistes) are good, the hit songs will come,” he said.
The ever positive and culturally aware Reggae soldier’s view, is important to NIPnews #savejamusic campaign which has been launched here in this space, in an effort to re-create and share with Reggae music interests globally, “A Positive Outlook on the Future of Jamaica’s Music and Artistes” throughout the year. Hence the personal opinion and factual insight of an internationally acclaimed Reggae artistes such as Tony Rebel on the subject, effectively boost the cause .
For almost 20 years after he first hit Reggae charts with Fresh Vegetable and Chatty Mouth, Tony Rebel, the article reported, is enjoying his role as elder for the new wave of Rasta acts. “Remember a we sing ‘be careful what you teach the little children,’ you nuh. We still have a lot to teach.” he said.
Source: Jamaica Observer
Writer: Howard Campbell
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