ENTERTAINMENT
Qyor. Romario Rodney
Caribbean Life, Dec. 31,2021-Jan. 6, 2022 17
By Nelson A. King
Stepping into his own, dancehall
artist Qyor (pronounced Choir) has
offered a powerful message to “Ghetto
Youth” in dropping his sophomore
single.
Produced by Sean Alaric, “Ghetto
Youth” shares “a vivid depiction of
the life of a youth growing up in the
ghetto,” according to Ronnie Tomlinson,
the Brooklyn-based, Jamaicanborn
entertainment publicist.
“A powerful message over a subtle
rhythm, with defined snares, Qyor’s
lyrics are piercing and relatable to,”
Tomlinson, chief executive officer of
the New York-based Destine Media,
told Caribbean Life.
“Every ghetto is the same,” Qyor
said. “Even if it has a different name,
we feel the same pain”.
Alaric said that working with Qyor
is “like magic.”
“The ideas and melodies flow effortlessly,”
he said. “He makes my job as
a producer easier, as he knows exactly
how he wants the record to sound.”
With a plea to the disenfranchised
youth of Jamaica and beyond, Tomlinson
said the economic toll of the
current pandemic provides limited
options for those of scant means.
“’Ghetto Youth’ is a cry to the
youths to change the narrative, despite
the cards delt in life,” she said. “Shift
the deck and be a little more driven to
not walk the path of crime.”
Tomlinson said “Ghetto Youth”
marks “a highly anticipated followup”
of Qyor’s earlier released collaboration
with the multi-talented
artists Dexta Daps and Kranium’s
“Be High”, which has racked up over
1 million streams via YouTube and
over two million streams across all
leading platforms.
“As a singer-songwriter, QYOR’s
voice and lyrical prowess resonate an
ageless excellence that is the driving
force in his music,” Tomlinson said.
“His exotic soul captures the evolution
of his experiences, morphing his
true sound – ‘xoul’”.
Having toured across the globe
with myriad Jamaican musicals
icons, such as Jimmy Cliff, Rita Marley
and Tony Rebel, Qyor has “honed
a more magnetic and transparent
way to tell his story and share his
truth,” Tomlinson said.
Anslem Douglas sings the very popular
‘Doggie/Who let the dogs out’,
with a new twist, ‘Who let the jumbies
out;” with Mas and Theatre.
Brittany Somerset
By Nelson A. King
After much dedication and hard
work, the Brooklyn-based cultural
group Tropicalfete, Inc. ended 2021 on
a high musical note.
According to Alton Aimable, the
group’s St. Lucian-born founder and
president, the grand finale, which took
place at the BMS Playhouse Theater,
was well attended by “an appreciative
audience.”
“This annual end of year concert,
which is Tropicalfete’s free musical gift
to the community, was very spectacular,
allowing the organization to take
their final bow for 2021,” Aimable told
Caribbean Life.
He said the trio – vocalist Kayla
“Devine Lotus” John, bassist Collin
Holder and keyboardist Henly Goddard
– who opened the show, “delivered a
harmonious performance, with a soulful
touch.”
Aimable said pannist Ricardo Greenaway
entertained the audience with
“the sweet melodious sound of the
steel pan,” and “’Mr. Lonesome’ had
the crowd dancing to his very popular
parang tune ‘I Ain’t Goin’, which was
arranged by Franklyn ‘Frankie’ McIntosh
(the Vincentian-born pre-eminent
Caribbean musical arranger).”
As is customary, Aimable said a
moment of silence was observed for
artists who transitioned in 2021, as
well as a dance presentation honoring
Tropicalfete’s family members, including
parents and guardians, who transitioned
this year.
Continued on Page 19
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Tropicalfete
makes final
bow for 2021
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Dancehall artist Qyor’s music offers
powerful message to ‘Ghetto Youth’
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