Reggae royalty arrive for weekend concert

High on the success of recent reggae concerts, this Friday the Belize City Centre will be the venue of choice as an all-star line up takes centre stage. News Five was part of the welcoming committee in Ladyville this afternoon.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This morning three world-renowned reggae artists: Lady Saw, Half Pint, and General Degree arrived at the Phillip Goldson International Airport. Junior Kelly will touch down on Friday… and along with Jamaica’s Live Wyya band, will make the September ninth show one of the biggest concert events ever held on Belizean soil.

Half Pint, Reggae Artist
(Singing) “Greetings I bring from Jah, to all Belizeans…”

“Yeah, coming at you live and direct, it’s Half Pint, bless up.”

Lady Saw, Reggae Artist
“Yo, you done know this is Lady Saw. I’m up in the building and you done know we ah rock the place tomorrow. And you done know the big thing is…

(Singing) “I’ve got you man and you can’t do anything…”

Mek sure you can fight.”

Live Wyya
“My name is Colgate; you see my face, Colgate. I’m the guitarist and I like play with strings, okay.”

“Yeah man, and this is Naldo, original drummer… me noh stop beat skin. So Belize people, looking forward to seeing you and feeling your energy, so just come out in your thousands. We are here big up.”

General Degree, Reggae Artist
(Singing) “Yeah, yeah, yeah… traffic blocking, gyal a come down in her tights and stockings… one you a boom, two you ah boom boom, budum budum, budum budum… Lawd oh, she want a bodyguard, oh Lawd fi guard her yard…”

“Yo, remember Friday, come check it out… Degree seh that.”

Janelle Chanona
“While in Belize, are you going to spend any time seeing Belize or just performing in Belize?”

General Degree
“No, of course because me hear you can catch a lotta fish here and me’s a fisherman from Jamaica. Me have my fishing license in Jamaica and me want test the waters them, so anyone fisherman out there who want come test me, bring it on.”

Half Pint
“Half Pint is really here to do him best and really in all aspects, I am doing all that I can because music is where I’m at and music is where I live and music is all that I got to give. So Belizeans, it’s coming at you live and direct, Half Pint in person.”

Lady Saw
“I never usually have anything planned, but as you know, I’m a great performer once I touch the stage. I have all kinds of songs; you have culture, gospel, right now. There’s a gospel song out playing a lot. “I’ve Got Your Man” is a big hit on the Striptease album, so it will be a good night.”

Janelle Chanona
“Everybody know you for your hardcore lyrics, you going to keep to that tradition?”

Lady Saw
“No, no. I’m toning down now, I’m all grown up, I’m not like I used to be. But whatever, but trust me, you’ll get a good night. Not the explicit things, no… I’m tired of getting into trouble.”

Colgate
“I would like this to be my second home, away from home. But it’s all good I like to see what’s happening other than the show. I know the show will be great, I know you people from Belize will be there to support Live Wyya, Half Pint, Lady Saw, Degree, Junior Kelly… it’s going to be all good, just come out and enjoy yourself.”

The artists were officially welcomed to Belize City by Deputy Mayor Eloisa Trujeque and the Belize Cancer Society’s Wayne Usher. Organised by the society and Heineken Music, the concert promoters promise an unforgettable night at the City Centre.

Janelle Chanona
“From a technical standpoint what’s it like putting together all these musicians’ requirements?”

International DJ Busch, Concert Promoter
“Sleepless nights. Trust me, sleepless nights… a lot. We got to say thanks to all our sponsors because without the sponsors it wouldn’t have been possible. So we gotta say thanks to all our sponsors. And to all the people, we just want you all to go out and get the tickets. Tickets are available to Record Shack, Stone’s Music, DJ Tambran, in Belize City. For the people in the districts: in Belmopan it’s GKM Music store, and in Dangriga it’s DJ Dollin’s music store.”

DJ Dolla, Concert Promoter
“You know how it goh, payday dah next week but people wah find money, especially for a show like this.”

Tickets are fifty dollars in advance, sixty at the door. Pre-show entertainment will feature of a host of local artists.