(Trinidad Guardian) Reggae artiste Anthony B called on Trinidad and Tobago to return to being a “heaven” and not degenerate into the crime-ridden place it appeared to be lately.
The veteran reggae artiste took some time from his 58-minute performance at the World of Reggae show at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday to echo Sizzla Kalonji’s sentiments seven days earlier, as both artistes believe “Sweet T&T” can do better.
“Garnet Silk (late Jamaica reggae artiste) said Trinidad is like heaven, I wish Jamaica could be like that. So the youth in Trinidad, don’t kill your brother because him a Sixx, don’t kill your brother because him a Seven, don’t kill your brother because him a Eight,” Anthony B told the large and appreciative crowd.
The Raid The Barn singer then proposed how to solve issues among the youth.
“If I step on your foot today we can reason it out, we’re still alive. But if we kill you tomorrow morning and say sorry, we’re dead already.”
The man known as the Original Fireman (Black Stalin fans may disagree) urged youngsters, “Don’t follow those kind of lyrics we’re telling you to shoot through. Please, please! And don’t shoot your brother, don’t kill, don’t destroy your country. You’re only killing your country, killing your own community, fighting against yourself.”
Aside from his plea, Anthony B mesmerised the patrons and took them through almost an hour with songs like Fire Pon Rome and Repentance Time.
He was backed by the Ruff Kutt band, the same band that supports Shabba Ranks. That meant, it only took six minutes between Anthony B’s exit and Shabba’s entrance.
At around 3 am, the man from SeeView Gardens, Jamaica, entered the stage with the call See The Youth as the powerful baritone voice lit up the early hours yesterday morning as the Dancehall emperor opened with Get Up Stand Up.
Shabba, who started with a white jacket, matching white jeans and green fedora hat took his faithful fans through classics like Dem Bow, Respect, Mr Loverman and Caan Dun.
He then invited British reggae singer Maxi Priest on stage for a second time to perform the iconic House Call.
Shabba’s flawless performance was 45 minutes long.
Earlier Barrington Levy lit up the stage with classics like Under Mi Sensi, Black Rose and the iconic Broader than Broadway.
Levy added to his legacy with a flawless 52-minute set when he sang the last three songs acapella (without the musical backup) and announced a new album was on the way, which will include the single Love Virus that he sang without the help of his band.
The live performances began with T&T’s own Black Loyalty, who set up the night with his 33-minute set and Jah Mason who delighted the crowd with hits like the iconic Princess Gone.
World of Reggae ended at 3.39 yesterday morning leaving the patrons satisfied despite brief showers.
