Yes We Can

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

There is a saying in show business that goes “The moment you start to believe your own hype and make your alter ego take over, you are doomed to a crash landing.”

I have a dream, a vision, a mission- a passion even. So when people in the business tell me that my main problem is that I drive my business interests with too much emotion, for me it is not necessarily a negative comment- in fact, I am flattered.

Yes, one might say I have been to the mountain top. I have looked beyond the present status quo, the impediments, beyond the mediocre, beyond our shores and I have seen the enormous impact that our music and culture has had on all the continents and how we could better exploit this; by harnessing the raw talent we possess and inputting some cutting edge technology along with our history and ancestry. Given appropriate entrepreneurship and public/governmental support, we could significantly increase the gross domestic product and begin to turn the tide against destitution and desperation by facilitating some poverty alleviation.

Then here comes Chris Blackwell, polemically saying that our most creative years are behind us. What an unfortunate statement coming from someone whom I assumed shared my vision! Black well’s entire analysis of the present state of affairs in our music industry is on target, but with the right catalyst, that can be changed. To a large extent my generation has become our fathers. I mean in too many instances we are acting the same way. As in theirs, so too in our middle age, displaying the same prejudices, the same impatience and frustrations which made us look askance at them for becoming so pessimistic, conservative and reactionary. However, “one cold vibe could’n spoil dis ya boogie”. (Third World)

I remember when Ska and blue beat were called booguyagga music. Then Reggae at its genesis was so regarded. Now, it is Dancehall’s turn. Our music has never been exclusively visionary in its content. It has also been social commentary, expressing in song current cultural norms and occurrences, good and bad. For all their loud protests in polite circles, the politicians and the business sector have always co-opted it to better sell whatever. Today, in our liberalised media sector, this is even more acute because ironically in large measure they have become mere mouth pieces of their owners. “You cyaan blame di youth” (Peter Tosh), when all we hear on the radio and read in the newspapers is the hype. That’s what sells the news. The youths know well how to get the attention of all the above.

Beres Hammond recently told me a story of two youths about to get their first ‘big buss’ and planning to achieve the maximum impact. So one says to the other “We a go cuss up a whole heap a bad wud pan stage, dat wi get us in the headlines”. So we all need to truly turn the mirror on ourselves in addressing this hiccup we have fathered and mothered. We know we are better than this- Taurus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Cezar Cunningham, Etana, Tessanne Chin, Roots Underground, Morgan Heritage continue to shine the light. Our best days are yet ahead of us. We still can, yes we can because Jah-mek-I-Can. You know I am not one to willingly genuflect but still, let’s forgive Chris, because of his enormous contributions and obvious frustrations with our current state of affairs.

On a much more positive note, Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange announced at the launch for Beres Hammond’s new album A Moment In Time and his December 28th show “Beres Moments in Time 2008” that she is committed to the construction of Jamaica’s first concert hall. Given the emphasis of this excellent event, it was a most appropriate place to make the announcement. I hope the entire music fraternity throws its unreserved support behind this project and see to its fruition. This is precisely what we have been clamouring for, for decades.

The private sector must display some social responsibility and come on board, partnering with the government to ensure the building of this amphitheatre and concert hall complete with modern facilities and state of the art equipment. In so doing, projects like Beres’ will have an appropriate venue for its staging. Believe me, people like Seretse Small and Maurice Gordon, as well as the Digicel Rising Stars competition are identifying and grooming a slew of artistes – giving them worthwhile and essential experience – on the club circuits. This will provide the talent to guarantee such a venture the success that it has the potential to be. May I be emotional? Lets “rally round the flag” (Steel Pulse), drape ourselves in it... for dis ya one.

Speaking of potential, I am in Negril for the Reggae Marathon’s, eighth renewal. Unfortunately, by the time you read this it will all be over. What a fantastic event under the rubric of sport tourism! Of course, Frano and Dianne (Alfred Francis and his charming wife Dianne Ellis) are such intuitive social engineers and community organisers (a-la-Obama) that they have this group of fifty volunteers from their residential community and the community in which their business place is located, making life easy for us at load in. Simultaneously, these volunteers are obtaining critical socialisation experiences and important life skills to boot. I am particularly impressed with Weedy, a small-framed, eager young woman who covers the whole gamut of production tasks, including lifting crowd control barriers. Jah live. Rastafari.

Their fact sheet says “The Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10k, start at Long Bay Beach Park situated along Negril’s famed 7 mile white sand beach. The course loops into the town of Negril then heads north towards the town of Green Island.” The mostly flat course is an IAAF certified marathon and half-marathon course. The Reggae Marathon has earned the reputation for being a well organized, precisely timed international event, focused on runner enjoyment. This includes water and aid stations at every mile, cooling stations with misters and iced towel wraps, and most importantly, naturally, inspirational reggae music at every mile.

Participants combine an island vacation and a great sporting event for a truly unique experience. Among many outstanding testimonials from participants, the one that stood out for me is from Dianne Woorell who says “I have run over 15 marathons in several different states in the USA. This is truly the best because of the amenities, friendly atmosphere, and definitely the most awesome Pasta Party. I plan on making this an annual event.” Reggae Marathon and Half Marathon well deserves our support and the organisers our sincere congratulations on an event par excellence.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com

Host: Jamaica Observer, Sunday, December 07, 2008 - Yes We Can by Charles H.E. Campbell