Home grown reggae (and dancehall) artists have become just as important, relevant and desired as their Jamaican peers. So says the singer/songwriter, musician and soul performer known as Jah Melody (real name: Michael Williams) ahead of tomorrow’s Redemption The Return concert, which is scheduled to share songs of peace, love and unity at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port . of Spain, from 19.00
“We’re now competing in the market on a similar level to Jamaican acts,” said Jah Melody, “and they’re very aware of that! It’s a blessing to be able to reason and share the stage with them with the understanding that many of these veterans have inspired us for years, but we’ve worked tirelessly over the past two decades to create our own sound, our own scene, and secure a place in the industry where we can now stand alongside these legends—even as we create our legacy. and our musical history!
“So I appreciate that you’re referring to us as home grown now instead of locals because the local stigma is that we’re inferior, or just not as important as Jamaicans, you know… but the truth is that we should love ourselves and our stars just as much, if not more.”
As we celebrate the re-opening of the entertainment industry en masse, our home-grown artists are back in high demand and report that the Trinidad wave has boosted Trinidad and Tobago’s standing in entertainment circles. The promoters of the Redemption Return concert have noted the importance of our reggae acts and have set aside a dedicated 20-minute slot for each of the local cast of Ziggy Rankin, Isasha and Jah Melody supported by Cornerstone.
“We give thanks for the opportunity to share the stage with these reggae icons and to share our gifts with the people of T&T and all those who are coming out to celebrate the return of these great concerts, after the last few years of solitude and silence. Jah Melody said.
“It was a difficult time for all of us,” he recalled, “so much uncertainty, you know. We really didn’t know if these kinds of gatherings would happen again, so I think the artists, the musicians, and the masses are all very happy to be able to experience this again and will cherish these moments now more than ever.”
Unforgettable moments await as reggae veterans Luciano, Sanchez and Richie Spice were scheduled to arrive at Piarco last night and grace the Savannah stage, along with Tarrus Riley, Tarrus Riley and our homegrown contingent.
Rekindle the momentum
Like their Jamaican peers, homegrown acts like Jah Melody had enjoyed a steady schedule of shows across the region, internationally and at home before the pandemic and now that the industry is back on track, Melody is gearing up to reignite it momentum with new recordings and releases planned for 2023.
“During the quiet time, Jah knows we were all able to spend more time with our families and wives and also got inspired to create more songs and more music, so while our soca ambassadors are working on Carnival, I will accompany them to the studio and to Jamaica to record and prepare for the new works that will be released next year.
Jah Melody was born in Carenage, Trinidad, in 1980. The baby of six, it wasn’t long before his parents and older siblings realized he was a very talented vocalist and musician. As a member of this very spiritual family, she was almost destined to be part of the church choir. There, he expanded his vocal skills and, later, as a teenager, he began to apply his vocal skills to make reggae compositions with sweet melodies and hooks in a style very characteristic of the R&B he had sung earlier in life. his – but with rich cultural and spiritual content. That’s why he got the name “Jamelody” (Jah Melody).
“Many are called, but few are chosen,” he said. “I definitely believe that I am chosen because none of this is planned by me or for me except by the power of the Almighty. The last time I was at Redemption, it didn’t end so well for me, so I’m happy to see the level of attention and focus being given to the home team this time and I know my fans and the people attending the Generals will be more pleased with the way it was organized this time.”
Industry veteran Wendell Naipaul, of Mr. Wendell Inc, will stage manage the night.
