On Saturday, February 6, get ready for a night of peace and unity together with the Freedom Fighters Foundation. This event includes Black survival with the Ebony steel pan orchestra. Featured artist will be Luciano and Jah Messajah band! Other artists live on stage will be Sanjay from Jamaica; Harry Mo from St. Croix, USVI; Segan Marlene; the Freedom Fighters band; Ku-J; Eziekiel; Carl Ford and DJ Pauly! It’s a celebration with a positive vibe!
Freedom Fighters Foundation is a non profit organization working hard to keep Caribbean culture alive. On November 2, 1999, Freedom Fighters organized its first show for H.I.M. Haile Selassi I the first, the Coronation Celebration was held at the Speetje Arcade on Front Street. On February 6, 2000, Black Story Celebration Tribute to Bob Marley, which took place at the Kangaroo Court House Alley was born, and is now an annual event. On August 17, 2000, tribute to honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey was started and is now also an annual event.
The Freedom Fighters have had successful shows at several locations including the university parking lot, Reggae Café, the boardwalk and Emilio Wilson Park. They took things to a different level in 2004 when they brought world known Jamaican dub poet Mutabaruka to headline their event. In 2008 they brought in reggae artistes “I Wayne and Fantan Mojah” for the 9th annual tribute to Bob Marley & Black story celebration and now on February 6, they will be celebrating 10 years of educating people spiritually and mentally, and with the blessing of the Most High they want to continue to fulfil this type of work for the people living on St. Maarten. With consciousness they want to teach the children of St. Maarten to have a brighter future; that’s why their shows are for all races, all colours and all tongues.
Jamaican born Roots Reggae artist Luciano, whose real name is Jepther McClymont OD, first began recording in 1992, with his debut single “Ebony & Ivory” on the Aquarius Record label and followed with his debut album “Moving Up” for RAS records in 1993. Luciano is the seventh of nine children and was born to extremely spiritual and musical parents in Daveyton, a small district in the central parish of Manchester, Jamaica. Luciano’s music is influenced by Stevie Wonder, Frankie Paul and late reggae singer Dennis Brown. It was later on that he changed his stage name to Luciano while often being referred to as “Jah Messenjah” and also at around that time collaborating with Fattis Burell’s Xterminator label where he developed his conscious roots aspect.
After recording several LPs for Burell he recorded a set for Island Records before starting an independent recording career. After voicing several covers for the Producer Sky High, Luciano released “Give My Love A Try,” which was produced at Castro Brown’s New Name Studio and was a hit in Jamaica. It was there that Luciano met Freddie McGregor the former Studio One child star who had become an International Reggae Superstar. Joining McGregor’s Big Ship production company, Luciano began creating cultural, conscious reggae that reflected his religious and social concerns. Again in 1993, Luciano scored a 1 UK reggae hit with the song “Shake It Up Tonight” but Luciano says, “I didn’t see myself going in that pattern, singing love songs, dressed in a felt hat, looking smooth; it looked very splashy.”
Luciano is an award-winning artist and although his object is to stay humble, he has received numerous awards including “Most Spiritual and Educative Singer” and Mandela’s “Most Cultural Artist.” He even received a plaque from the Jamaican government to encourage him in his work. Doing good works are not confined to just music for Luciano, as he is a firm believer that he should be a positive role model. In his own words: “I’ve never stooped low and I’m not gonna bow to Babylon and no matter how much me angry bout certain tings, me nah come pon stage and express myself inna no negativeness.” As a messenger, Luciano always strives to be true and righteous as he delivers the word of Jah. He says, “I cannot become egotistical about it.” He was awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer on October 15, 2007, in recognition of his contribution to reggae music.
In July 2009, Luciano paid his respects to fellow musician Michael Jackson by releasing a Reggae tribute of Jackson’s iconic song, “We are the World” on LionI Records. The original song was recorded by many famous musicians and actors of the 1980s and raised money through the USA for Africa charity for hunger and AIDS relief.
The concert starts at 8:00pm at the Festival Village. Tickets can be purchased at the Freedom Fighters Ital Shack, Top Carrot, Top link DVD and CD store in St. James, the Adult Toy Shop both locations. Tickets cost US $20 for adults and $10 for children.
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