Producer recalls Andy P.’s hard work and dedication

Messages of condolence continue to pour in from around the world following the death on Saturday of Andy Palacio. And while we in Belize watched with enthusiasm as Andy’s career took off internationally it is only now that we are beginning to realise how far he had taken his music and, along with it, the reputation of his homeland. One man who accompanied Palacio on much his musical journey is producer Ivan Duran of Stonetree Records. Today we asked him why, after so many years of effort, Andy finally made his breakthrough.

Ivan Duran, Producer, Stonetree Records
“For one, Andy had matured as an artist, as a person, and as a Garifuna thinker and in the last few years had been reflecting a lot about what was happening within his culture. What was being lost and what was needed to revive interest in Garifuna music and Garifuna culture. So it comes all the way back from the UNESCO proclamation, that Andy was very involved with to write these new songs that talk about these losses and the next generation. Andy was very concerned with that; what will happen with the new generation of Garifuna musicians and artists.

Stewart Krohn
“Where is Garifuna music going without Andy Palacio?”

Ivan Duran
“Well, today we are mourning Andy’s death and we are sad for many, many reasons. We have lost a friend, a great artist and a great colleague. We haven’t had time to really sink it in; what would be the impact of his death in Belize and in the region as he leaves a huge hole within the artistic community. He was by far the most recognised artist in Belize and Central America today, in the world. And what would that mean was that, in my sense, I think it creates a sense of urgency. All that he was talking about, what will happen, what will happen, he was just asking questions. Well now we have to stop asking the questions and we have to do what we have to do. It will be a huge challenge because you don’t create an artist in two days and Andy wasn’t created in two days. Andy was a simple boy born in Barranco, grow—grew in Barranco and went to the exact same schools as every other kid in Belize and he became to be a symbol for world music today and all that says is that anybody else in Belize can be an Andy Palacio but you have to be sure that you are ready to sacrifice what Andy sacrificed, that you are ready to dedicate yourself.