Smile Jamaica/Africa Unite -Not up to Expectations

Well, lots of complaints concerning the time it took in between sets at the Smile Jamaica/Africa Unite concert this past Friday. The event held at the James Bond Beach had a spectacular array of artist. Some of which included the most anticipated reunion of the Marley Brothers, (Stephen, Ziggy, Damian, kyMani, and Julian). Some say they were actually the best part of the show. If you stayed until 4:30 am you might even have seen them. By the time they got on the stage many people had started leaving but this did not take away an amazing performance.

Personally I just wanted to see Damian. I love my "Jamrock" man.

John Legend was reported to tear it up as well. He always gives a sizzling performance. He even was able to serenade a young lady he brought on stage.





I did hear my girl Rihanna tore up. "Is this Love" by Bob Marley. Rihanna (a recent Grammy recipient) also performed her smash hit, "umbrella." She is one sexy Caribbean sistah. I also heard though that her dress was so tight her breasts almost come out and hit the audience







It appears Coco Tea and Queen Ifrica made it to the event but did not make it to the stage. Events like this really need more planning to make things run more smoothly.

Sizzla and Capelton tried to revive the crowd with some extended performances, but it seemed like the long wait in between left people just wanting to leave.

Naturally, some of those billed to perform did not make it at an event which, in the last stages, seemed to be teetering on the brink of chaos, Cocoa Tea and Queen Ifrica among those showing up at the venue but not getting to the stage.

With the recent problems with the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, I wonder how many artist are going to be attending these events. It is not only hard on the crowd but I can imagine that most artist don't want to go on stage to a hostile crowd.

The cost of $1,500 Jamaican was a lot of money not for things to go smoothly. The sponsors Television Jamaica, Jamaica Tourist Board, The Gleaner, Irie FM, and Telecom had no offical comment regarding the show and some of the complaints

I still wish I was there though. Oh, well maybe next year.

Damian Marley

Maybe not as well known internationally as his brother, Ziggy, Damain Marley has become a force to reckon with in the Reggae World. When “Welcome To Jamrock” erupted onto airwaves and blew apart iPods halfway through 2005 it came as a shock to some—but not to Damian “Jr Gong” Marley. The song is about the farthest thing from commercial music offerings today—an outraged and unapologetic description of the poverty and “political violence” ravaging his homeland of Jamaica—but “Welcome To Jamrock” hit—and hit hard—because it’s the sound of truth and the result of years of work to bring that truth to light.

He made noise early on with 1996’s Mr Marley, and his major label debut Halfway Tree showcased a unique gift for blending hard-hitting reality rhymes and an uncommonly eclectic musicality; with a classic reggae sensibility at its core and run through with streams of hip-hop, r&b and dancehall, the album resonated with urban tastemakers and won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2000

Today Damian has his hands full with concert tours and speaking engagements. Welcome to Jamrock was a story that told the sweet and bitterside of life in Jamaica. Onelove