Griga Youths: Latest band to hit music scene
With more and more local artists achieving some level of success in the music industry, it’s not surprising that everyday others are inspired to try to break into this highly competitive field. Of late, Garifuna music has been promoted like never before with several groups establishing themselves as permanent performers. This morning, News 5’s Jacqueline Woods met another set of young men who are hoping to do the same…they call themselves the Griga Youths.
Dax Thomas, Promoter, Larubeya Productions
“It’s a young band, and it’s a band that has a lot to offer to young youths in their run and I believe that they will make a very big impact in the country with their music.”
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Today the band is not only busy performing on the road, but the members have produced their first album.
Flora Isabel Hernandez, Band Leader, Griga Youths
“Walagante, it really means “our legacy”. That’s a song that was written by me, I’m the composer and the singer of that particular song. That song is the history of my ancestors, what they have gone through from past to present. If you notice, I have my boys pictured on the front of the CD, and I decided to call it Walangate because they are our legacy.”
The young boys, who consider themselves the new generation of punta rockers, are between the ages of fourteen and sixteen years old. Bandleader, Flora Isabel Hernandez, who is responsible for the group’s creation, says the band gives the boys more than just an opportunity to play music.
Flora Isabel Hernandez
“We seem to have less things for the youths to do. And by having the band, we can keep their minds occupied and build up their self-esteem. I think there’s a call for this, that’s why I was chosen to do it. Furthermore, most of our youths are very talented and I’ve seen talent wasted and it hurts my heart to see that happen.”
The music of the Griga Youths will be available to the general public on CD in two weeks. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
If you would like to see Griga Youths perform, they will be at the Agriculture and Trade Show on Saturday afternoon.
