“Cut It Out!” Sizzla delivers fervent message in response to spiralling crime in T&T
The 2024 staging of Redemption The Concert is being hailed as a resounding success. Now in it’s ninth year, the event which is known to feature some of the worlds leading Reggae stars, saw thousands convene at the Queens Park Savannah to see the star-studded line-up work their magic onstage.
In a blend of musical performance and social advocacy, Sizzla Kalonji’s electrifying presence at Redemption the Concert served as a rallying cry for peace and community upliftment in Trinidad and Tobago.
In response to the country’s spiraling crime, the Reggae luminary delivered a fervent message to local artistes, urging them to be more responsible in their words and actions and encouraging them to shy away from criminal activities.
“I’m not used to Trinidad with this bag of gunshot, youths killing each other. You see that show here, we have a great artiste on the show name Super Cat, Super Cat and Shabba Ranks them ah do clash with lyrics for years and none of our community in Jamaica has been infiltrated with violence activity so me nuh want no gansta, no gang, no you, no me because you sing some gansta song it mean you killing each other. It doesn’t work in Jamaica so it mustn’t work in Trinidad. We do a lot of gansta song in Jamaica just for dub-plate system and song system. Don’t take the gansta songs in the music and start killing yourself, it’s not right. We don’t do that in Jamaica, cut it out. Artistes them, straighten out the thing…”
Kalonji said there should be no place for violence in Trinidad.
The artiste kept the crowd enthralled with spirited performances of his hit songs. The night’s set list included crowd favourites like Just One Of Those Days, Woman I Need You, Black Woman And Child and Dem Ah Wonder to name a few.
For other old school Dancehall fiends like myself, the appearance of Super Cat, born William Marajh but also known in the world of music as the Don Dada, on stage was one of (if not THE) major highlight of the night. The 60-year-old delivered a stellar performance of songs from his impressive catalogue like “Ghetto Red Hot,” “Dem No Worry We,” “Si Boops Deh,” and “Mud Up.”
England-based reggae band Steel Pulse was the first to perform and set the stage for what was an epic experience for patrons.
Speaking with Your Caribbean Guide at the venue on Saturday night, Carl said organisers delivered an impressive lineup of artistes and was happy to report that all of them delivered more than what was expected.
“I not going to lie, when I was deciding if to come Steel Pulse sealed the deal for me. One of my all time favourite bands. They were just as good as I remember but the other artistes real delivered too. Sizzla come hot and heavy with a good message I just hope the youngsters take heed.”
Tracey-Ann said “I probably only miss one Redemption since they started this show, I can’t talk for nobody else but this is one of my favourite ones. Every single person who touch that stage tonight did their thing and they did it well. Sizzla with the timely message, Super Cat with he fine self, the man still have it. He still have all of it and he could get it, if you know what I mean,” she laughed. She also told YCG she was super proud of the performances by the local acts.
“I not going to lie, I feel like a proud mammy or an aunty watching we boys on the stage. Sometimes I does wonder if they feel, insecure or scared, I not sure if that’s the correct words but you get the idea.. I does wonder how they feel performing at events with other artistes like that but tonight we boy and them really hold their own. I’m happy for them and ah proud too.”
While he reported having a “fabulous time” at the event on June 1, Lincoln shared one “minor change” he would’ve made if given the chance.
“This entire event was beyond fabulous. I have no complaints but if I had my way I would’ve made one teeny tiny adjustment to the lineup, a little switcharoo with the event that’s happening next week. Maybe put Barrington Levy on with the guys who performed tonight and leave Mister Don Dada to perform at the other event with Shabba Ranks. Now, this isn’t a critique, I already said I had the time of my life tonight, I just wish I could see Super Cat and Shabba on the same stage, just a little selfish wish…”
