Reggae kicks-off Brooklyn holiday bacchanal
Much has been banded about
regarding the soca, calypso and
masquerade aspects of the 52nd
annual West Indian American
Day Carnival Association’s spectacular
five-day presentation.
As always, to a lesser extent
the Reggae Night presentation
which usually focus on the harddriving
Jamaica-birthed music
has been virtually overshadowed
in promotion and publicity by
the Eastern Caribbean touters of
the Brooklyn Museum activities
slated during the last weekend
of August.
However, to those clueless
about the first night’s presentation
slated for Thursday, it
is reggae that will kick-off the
revelry with a presentation to
highlight the beat rooted in African
rhythms and later repackaged
from Jamaican to capture
universal audiences and accolades
that surpass the Caribbean
region.
Reggae-Afrobeats begins at
7 pm at the Brooklyn Museum,
200 Eastern Parkway with
a showcase hosted by Tamara
Ivey and Glitterati representing
Nigeria / Ghana.
Jamaica’s Wayne Wonder is
likely to bring his A-game to
Caribbean L 14 ife, Aug. 30, 2019
a lineup featuring Ding Dong
(Jamaica) Runtown (Nigeria)
Nessa Preppy (Trinidad) with
music by DJ Young Chow of radio
station Hot 97, Kevin Crown
Crowd, DJ T-Mings and DJ Gringo,
Supa T.
In recent years Tony Rebel,
Third World, Stephen Marley and
others have performed to predominant
Jamaica loyals dedicated
to keeping Jamaica in the
mix.
In the distant past, Steel
Pulse, Aswad, Shabba Ranks,
Mutabaruka, Miss Lou and others
from the land of wood and
water carried the red, gold and
green banner that identifies the
hard-driving beat and its supporters.
During his heyday Robert
Nesta Marley, the avowed king
of reggae and first Third World
Superstar graced the stage to
join celebrants of the holiday
weekend tradition.
On each occasion, audiences
were treated to incomparable
performances and enviable
showcases that rarely are presented
in the borough.
It is unlikely patrons will be
requested to “get something
and wave” however, the option
is open when feelings of irieness
prevail.
Regardless, WIADCA organizers
are urging patrons to “Catch
the Vibe” because they “have a
lot to give.”
SPRAGGA BENZ
SCHOOLS FRATERNITY
ON MERITS OF
DANCEHALL
Dancehall kingpin Spragga
Benz surprised more than a few
recently when he unleashed a litany
of literature about the genre
he has been honing for decades.
After waiting patiently for his
turn to opine on the topic of the
future of the dancehall genre,
the deejay — billed last to speak
— enlightened the UWI / SUNY
assembly with a clear, concise,
definitive portrait of his journey
this far.
Detailing his start in a Kingston
neighborhood, which could
have steered him in a less enviable
direction, Carlton Errington
Grant AKA Spragga Benz, the
father of Shanice and Carlton Jr.
used the forum to explain the
intricacies of his craft and how he
applied his talent to emerge the
iconic figure he is now revered.
Actually, he did not brag
about his movie role, his recent
appearance at Reggae Sumfest
in Montego Bay, his children or
his many rendezvous with members
of the Marley off-springs,
instead, he gave what seemed
like a course lecture that could be
titled ‘Dancehall Reggae 101.’
That a university professor
named Dr. Carolyn Cooper preceded
him with a keynote address
fraught with a Power Point presentation
that seemed to collapse
with redundant information
and irrelevant references on the
topic, Benz’s off-the-cuff message
offered a real and raw relatable
response.
Reggae Insider Cristy Barber
and Irie Jam FM radio innovator
Bobby Clarke also registered favorably
in addressing and defining
the subject.
Thanks to the partnership
between the University of the
West Indies and the State University
of New York, much was
gleaned.
Their collaboration will be
repeated on Sept. 20 with a symposium
questioning whether Climate
Change is real or fabricated.
Slated for the SUNY Global
Center in Manhattan, 116 East
55th at from 9 am to 1 p. for more
information, call 212-759-9345.
Catch You On The Inside!
Spragga Benz.
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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