‘REGGAE VACCINE’
Caribbean L 42 ife, MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2021
Atlanta Carnival postponed
By Nelson A. King
For the second
year in a row, the
Atlanta DeKalb Caribbean
Carnival has
been postponed due
to the Covid-19 pandemic,
according to
the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution.
“Tens of thousands
of people
usually come to
Stonecrest each
Memorial Day weekend
to celebrate
Caribbean culture,
but they’ll have to
wait until 2022,” the
paper said on Monday.
“The event typically
attracts more
than 20,000 participants
and has been
an annual tradition
since 1988,” it
Councilmember George Turner New Mayor
Pro Tem. www.stonecrestga.gov
added.
The Journal-Constitution
said while other DeKalb cities
have begun to reintroduce
in-person events at the end of
May, Stonecrest city leaders
are hesitant that now is the
right time for large gatherings.
“The city remains cautious
in its approach to resuming
and permitting these activities,”
said Stonecrest in a
statement. “With a focus on
public health as its guide, the
city is developing a plan for
resuming special events and
festivals on city-owned and
public property.”
After Brookhaven
announced plans for a large
“post-pandemic”
summer block party,
Stonecrest Mayor
Pro Tem George
Turner said he
thought they might
have “jumped the
gun a little bit” with
their plans, according
to the Journal-
Constitution.
It said carnival
organizers confirmed
the event,
previously scheduled
for May 29, has
been postponed.
The organization
only stated “postponed”
on its website
without providing
details.
However, the
Journal-Constitution
said organizers
are removing
flyers and updating
online promotions
for the now-canceled event to
avoid crowds.
“We appreciate the community’s
patience and understanding
as we move safely
towards pre-pandemic activities
and continue to work
together to be a world-class
city,” the paper quoted the
carnival group as saying.
“Strictly Roots,” Stephen Marley’s
“Revelation ll: The Fruit
of Life,” Jo has also embarked
on working with his brother,
Yohan Marley, again on Brickell,
according to Ronnie Tomlinson,
the Jamaican-born
entertainment publicist with
the Brooklyn-based Destine
Media.
Tomlinson told Caribbean
Life on Wednesday that Jo has
released several singles, such
as “Nothings Gonna Harm
You,” “Everlasting feat Minj”
and “Point of View feat Damian
Marley.”
“Now, six years after his
first EP, Jo Mersa releases
his sophomore EP, ‘Eternal,’”
Tomlinson said.
She said the seven-track
project features the likes of
Busy Signal, as well as label
mates Kabaka Pyramid and
Black Am I.
“This new body of work is
an exciting glimpse into the
potential that Joe has continued
to display over these
initial stages in his career,”
Tomlinson said. “Based in a
rhythmic roots sound, but
tactfully blended with the
EDM, this track provides the
ideal sonic foundation for Jo’s
prodigal return.
“Yo Dawg also provides a
platform for the young Marley
to explore his love and fascination
with early dancehall
alongside one of his musical
brothers, Busy Signal,” she
added.
As a complete body of work,
Tomlinson said “’Eternal’ has
a light narrative arc that is
connected through the sonic
progressions, and tracks like
the storied ‘Guess Who’s
Coming Home.’
“It speaks on a variety of
topics — from growth, to
justice, romance and even
alternative medicine,” Tomlinson
said. “Jo Mersa Marley
really opens in terms of
range, while maintaining an
easily digestible time of 23
minutes.
“’Eternal’ is slated to be a
banger for the coming summer
and beyond,” she added.
come true.
“Also, to be featured alongside
the great Julian Marley I’m so
honored,” he added. “It’s power
packed with so many great
artists, great music and huge
talent.
“This album certainly gives
you an organic vaccine away
from the troubles of this pandemic
into a spiritual journey
that will take you away from
your worries and pain into hope,
positivity and a new day filled
with love & joy,” Sheeran continued.
Asked if any of the Rastafarian
acts featured on the disc objected
to the album’s name, Sheeran
said: “Rastafarianism has evolved
and conspiracy theories with no
substantial evidence have limited
effect on Rastas these days.”
The “Reggae Vaccine” compilation
album is now available on
all digital platforms.
Continued from Page 41
Continued from Page 41
er, but Supa Jamz has given
me the opportunity to share
my personal interpretation as
well,” she added. “So, I’m very
grateful, and I feel that my
music is in the right hands.”
According to Tony Turner,
the Jamaican-born owner of
Images, LLC, an entertainment
promotion company,
based in Poughkeepsie, upstate
New York, Mel, who is the
youngest of four siblings, was
raised in Mount Vernon, and
spent her pre-collegiate years
at Westchester Area school and
Northeastern Academy, two
private Seventh-Day Adventist
schools in New Rochelle and
Manhattan, respectively.
“Influenced by the pulsating
sounds of reggae, which was
a staple at her home growing
up, music has become a driving
force in her life,” Turner
said. “She has also developed a
special love for old and contemporary
gospel music and hip
hop, which she shares with her
siblings and friends.”
During her freshman year
of high school, Turner said Mel
was accepted into her school’s
choir.
“This gave her the opportunity
to perform classical pieces
to audiences across the country
and abroad,” he said. “Though
she was only there for a short
while, she credits the teachings
of her choir director, Antonie
Brady, for sharpening her musical
ear in ways that were helpful
in singing and producing.”
In September 2019, a then
17-year-old was accepted at La
Sierra University, a private Seventh
Day Adventist school in
Riverside, Ca., where she pursues
a dual major in biomedical
science and music performance,
Turner said.
Now, back home in New
York, taking online college
courses because of the Covid-19
pandemic, Turner said she has
used the opportunity to record
a few songs on wax.
On Jan. 16, Mel dropped
“Kay,” which was written,
recorded and self-produced,
and is available on all streaming
platforms.
“My first priority has always
been school, because I’ve always
been a bit of an academic at
heart, and school gives me the
opportunity to learn about new
things,” Mel said. “I also have
a deep passion and respect for
music and how powerful it can
be.
“I guess you can say I’d like
to use school to learn and music
to teach what I’ve learned” she
added.
Continued from Page 41
“Reggae Vaccine” cover. Contractor’s Marketing
‘Eternal’ - a summer hit Jamaican teenager debuts ‘Kay’
Jamaican singer Mel Mariah.
Mel Mariah
/www.stonecrestga.gov
/www.stonecrestga.gov
