The founding father of Jamaica’s performing artists, National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey once asserted, “One’s civilization is not complete without its arts, the highest form of expression of human intelligence.”
At the time of writing, expectation was running high that the Richmond Estate at Priory in St Ann, would see another revved-up version of Rebel Salute.This annual musical extravaganza in promotion of great lyrical content in reggae music – instilling race consciousness and the liberation of black people from ingrained feelings of inferiority – is celebrating 21 years despite a challenging economic climate.
For the greater part of two decades before the present cadre of sponsors headed by Digicel came on board, Rebel Salute never enjoyed the full backing of the corporate sector. This was due largely to its promotion and preservation of the healthier aspects of reggae music. As such it prohibits the selling and drinking of alcohol and the consumption of all forms of meat – only fish is served. The event also has a strict policy that bans profanity and certain types of lyrics. Today, almost a generation later, this policy remains intact.
In fact, having like a magnet lured thousands of fans both local and global to virgin territory for live music festivals in Jamaica, Rebel Salute for its 21st staging secured the respect of corporate Jamaica. With pure Jamaican audacity and ingenuity manifesting Marcus Garvey’s quote above, Founder/Promoter Tony Rebel said that it’s all about commitment to spiritual restoration.
A rebel with a cause, his extraordinary boldness, courage and passion further fuelled by innovative approaches, have led to his enduring brainchild, Rebel Salute, evolving from a yearly one night birthday party conceived in 1994 at the Fayor’s Entertainment Centre in Mandeville; to its place as a major cultural calendar event at Brook’s Park; it then moved location to Port Kaiser in St Elizabeth.
A two- day jamboree since shifting to its present location a year ago.“Well, the thing is about commitment and the passion we have about what we are doing. We try our best to focus on the importance of having the event. The message behind it is as much as on the music itself,“ Tony Rebel, the artiste and show promoter born Patrick George Anthony Barrett told Buzzz Magazine on the eve of 2014’s staging of the event.
Tony Rebel, as he is affectionately called, stressed that his focus was steadfast on the purpose of his mission which is far more important than the stumbling blocks that confronted him. “It is all about preserving the culture and promoting what is positive about the music and its values,”the renowned deejay added. The increasing success and popularity of Rebel Salute are a reflection of the title of one of his best known recordings, JAH By My Side, which was released 18 years ago on his Flames Productions record label – like Rebel Salute, it has been blazing ever since. The year after it was released (1996) JAHBy My Side earned four awards. It won title of the Song of Year twice in 1997, one from the Tamika Awards and from the Miami Reggae/Soca Music Awards.
Composed by Tony Rebel in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the visit of His Imperial Majesty , Haile Selassie 1, to Jamaica, JAH By My Side gained great recognition because of its lyrical content as well as its magnetism. “It is one of my most popular hits. It’s one of my most loved songs and still relevant at this time. JAH By My Side is the song for which I made the dub plates for,” Tony Rebel disclosed.
With his conviction that JAH is by his side, he has triumphed despite the obstacles – and that is why each year since 1993, Rebel Salute has emerged as a spiritual renaissance in a musical marathon that is suitable for the entire family.
Rebel Salute has proven once again that Dancehall does not have to be rude. Dancehall’s roots run through reggae music’s fertile ground that produces consciousness via drum and bass. This spiritual healing provides a space that in itself is indicative of the variety of influences which have been fused to create this meaningful event.
It is from this perspective that a Dancehall artiste such as Rodney Pryce aka Bounty Killer and gospel artiste/ Minister of Religion Stichie could be included in the 2014 staging of Rebel Salute. They both were among the top crowd thrillers which included Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley, Capleton and I-Wayne, if the after- show buzz on the streets was anything to go by.
“It has to be inclusive. If you are in the music industry and making a valuable contribution, there is no objection. When an artiste puts quality first and foremost everytime, there is no twilight in their career, “ Tony Rebel had explained in 2001 when, he and friends – fellow artistes – donated an original song Not All About The Money, to Jamaica’s International Year of the Volunteers (IYV) National Planning Committee.
Collaborators on this project were Pam Hall, Queen Ifrica, Bob Andy, Luciano, Anthony Selassie, Fourth Street Sisters and Lystic. The IYV was designated by the United Nations and Jamaica had the honour of hosting the world premiere of Not All about the Money in March of that year.
A profound lesson to be learnt in the staging of Rebel Salute and from Tony Rebel’s determination and consistent outlook on life, is that within obstacles are pathways to success. As Ralph Marston tells us: “Embrace` those obstacles, embrace those challenges, for they are essential components of your eventual achievement.”
Share this post:
The founding father of Jamaica’s performing artists, National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey once asserted, “One’s civilization is not complete without its arts, the highest form of expression of human intelligence.”
At the time of writing, expectation was running high that the Richmond Estate at Priory in St Ann, would see another revved-up version of Rebel Salute.This annual musical extravaganza in promotion of great lyrical content in reggae music – instilling race consciousness and the liberation of black people from ingrained feelings of inferiority – is celebrating 21 years despite a challenging economic climate.
For the greater part of two decades before the present cadre of sponsors headed by Digicel came on board, Rebel Salute never enjoyed the full backing of the corporate sector. This was due largely to its promotion and preservation of the healthier aspects of reggae music. As such it prohibits the selling and drinking of alcohol and the consumption of all forms of meat – only fish is served. The event also has a strict policy that bans profanity and certain types of lyrics. Today, almost a generation later, this policy remains intact.
In fact, having like a magnet lured thousands of fans both local and global to virgin territory for live music festivals in Jamaica, Rebel Salute for its 21st staging secured the respect of corporate Jamaica. With pure Jamaican audacity and ingenuity manifesting Marcus Garvey’s quote above, Founder/Promoter Tony Rebel said that it’s all about commitment to spiritual restoration.
A rebel with a cause, his extraordinary boldness, courage and passion further fuelled by innovative approaches, have led to his enduring brainchild, Rebel Salute, evolving from a yearly one night birthday party conceived in 1994 at the Fayor’s Entertainment Centre in Mandeville; to its place as a major cultural calendar event at Brook’s Park; it then moved location to Port Kaiser in St Elizabeth.
Tony Rebel, as he is affectionately called, stressed that his focus was steadfast on the purpose of his mission which is far more important than the stumbling blocks that confronted him. “It is all about preserving the culture and promoting what is positive about the music and its values,”the renowned deejay added. The increasing success and popularity of Rebel Salute are a reflection of the title of one of his best known recordings, JAH By My Side, which was released 18 years ago on his Flames Productions record label – like Rebel Salute, it has been blazing ever since. The year after it was released (1996) JAHBy My Side earned four awards. It won title of the Song of Year twice in 1997, one from the Tamika Awards and from the Miami Reggae/Soca Music Awards.
Composed by Tony Rebel in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the visit of His Imperial Majesty , Haile Selassie 1, to Jamaica, JAH By My Side gained great recognition because of its lyrical content as well as its magnetism. “It is one of my most popular hits. It’s one of my most loved songs and still relevant at this time. JAH By My Side is the song for which I made the dub plates for,” Tony Rebel disclosed.
With his conviction that JAH is by his side, he has triumphed despite the obstacles – and that is why each year since 1993, Rebel Salute has emerged as a spiritual renaissance in a musical marathon that is suitable for the entire family.
Rebel Salute has proven once again that Dancehall does not have to be rude. Dancehall’s roots run through reggae music’s fertile ground that produces consciousness via drum and bass. This spiritual healing provides a space that in itself is indicative of the variety of influences which have been fused to create this meaningful event.
It is from this perspective that a Dancehall artiste such as Rodney Pryce aka Bounty Killer and gospel artiste/ Minister of Religion Stichie could be included in the 2014 staging of Rebel Salute. They both were among the top crowd thrillers which included Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley, Capleton and I-Wayne, if the after- show buzz on the streets was anything to go by.
“It has to be inclusive. If you are in the music industry and making a valuable contribution, there is no objection. When an artiste puts quality first and foremost everytime, there is no twilight in their career, “ Tony Rebel had explained in 2001 when, he and friends – fellow artistes – donated an original song Not All About The Money, to Jamaica’s International Year of the Volunteers (IYV) National Planning Committee.
Collaborators on this project were Pam Hall, Queen Ifrica, Bob Andy, Luciano, Anthony Selassie, Fourth Street Sisters and Lystic. The IYV was designated by the United Nations and Jamaica had the honour of hosting the world premiere of Not All about the Money in March of that year.
A profound lesson to be learnt in the staging of Rebel Salute and from Tony Rebel’s determination and consistent outlook on life, is that within obstacles are pathways to success. As Ralph Marston tells us: “Embrace` those obstacles, embrace those challenges, for they are essential components of your eventual achievement.”
Share this post: