Michael Mondezie
A return to a conscious way of thinking. That’s what promoter Matthew Dasent says reggae fans can expect from their upcoming Kings of the Earth concert.
Reggae icons Sizzla Kalonji (Miguel Collins), Capleton (Clifton Bailey III), Cocoa Tea (Calvin Scott) and Anthony B (Keith Blair) will share top billing at the showcase, set for the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain on November 26.
Dasent says after witnessing the outpouring of love from T& T to reggae music at the recent ‘Redemption: The Return’ concert he is convinced this is exactly the soothing energy these islands need.
‘We chose this cast because first of all the theme of the concert and the campaign we are setting out on is a return to consciousness. Over the past ten to 15 years the conscious reggae content has been sidelined, I don’t know why, in the mainstream media and we felt we had to bring it back,’ Dasent told the Express during a phone call yesterday.
The Kings of the Earth four will be expected to perform in front of a similarly sized massive sold-out crowd, as the one seen at the recent Redemption concert, held at the same venue, Dasent remarked. Roots rock crooners Luciano (Jepther McClymont), Richie Spice (Richell Bonner), Tarrus Riley (Omar Riley) and Sanchez (Kevin Jackson) all gave stellar accounts for the Jamrock genre on that night.
‘Outside of Carnival, the largest outdoor events have always been conscious reggae shows, yet still the least played genre on urban radio. Just look at shows like ‘Reggae on the Bay’ and ‘Redemption’ and size of crowds it attracts. It is showing me that people love reggae and feel comfortable to come out to a reggae show,’ he said.
READY TO PLAY A POSITIVE PART
Dasent said all four entertainers were elated not just to be called to performed here, but also to actively support the Kings of the Earth initiative in light of rising incidents of violent crime in T& T.
‘They were all excited when we spoke to them.
Not only are they extremely excited, they were happy to see the concept. The concept really needed in this environment with the crime and just the whole heavy energy of the place. And if you listen to their content from 15 years ago it still relevant to today,’ Dasent added.
The right music and messages can calm minds and hearts, Dasent said. While he concedes a music concert on its own can’t have a measurable impact on lowering crime stats, the value in the messaging of asking young people to be more conscious and aware of their actions and thoughts cannot be underestimated.
‘I can’t say this is the answer, but why not. Why don’t we try to do something positive. We could only try. At the end of the day, we all know this by itself can’t stop crime, but the whole concept of being conscious and aware is something we not putting enough emphasis on, we need to bring that back,’ Dasent concluded.
