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For close to 12 hours – from 7 p.m. on Saturday evening to 6:44 on Sunday morning – the 31st edition of Rebel Salute, unfolded at Plantation Cove in St Ann, featuring 23 acts, not including the few who got a brief ‘call-up’ from friends.
This year, the festival returned to its one-night format, rather than the two to which ‘Saluters’ have become accustomed, and for patrons, it was a long night. Persons could be seen sleeping in their chairs or on blankets spread on the grass, and, unlike former years, there was not a bumper crowd. Although founder, Tony Rebel, told The Gleaner that he was “satisfied” with the turnout, the reasons for the less-than-half-filled venue was still a topic of conversation.
But, all that aside, there were definitely some high moments and more than a few great performances. It was an “Awww” moment when veteran deejay, Echo Minott paused during his lively set to acknowledge his parents. “Big up mother and father first time dem see mi perform live,” he told fans as photographers raced to find them to take their picture. Rebel Salute first timer, Raheem ‘Valiant’ Bowes, acknowledged the “beautiful, intelligent, toxic girls” during a performance in which he was representing the dancehall, but had to stay far from away unsavoury lyrics on Tony Rebel’s consciousness stage. He connected with the younger crowd, but even he recognised that “whole heap a people a look at me and a seh ‘ah wah him a sing seh’.”
Queen Ifrica was one of the few female artistes on the line-up and the tattooed Lioness on the Rise was all word, sound and power. Her intro was the late Garnett Silk’s Lord Watch Over Our Shoulders followed by fan favourites such as Below the Waist, Born Free and her anti-abuse anthem, Daddy, with some new, razor sharp lyrics.
“ Daddy don’t touch me there ... we gonna be in court this year,” Ifrica sang, in reference to the sexual abuse accusations which she levelled at her father, singer Derrick Morgan, and his subsequent denial and court action against her.
The outspoken artiste blasted politicians as she shared how she was shocked to see “woman inna baggy” prostituting themselves in Salem. Patrons shouted that it was a everyday occurrence. Her message in song to black woman was simple – you are worth more.
Addressing her own personal situation with her ex, Tony Rebel, she said, “Mi nah violate … all when di Genna no deh deh no more.” As a result, since she couldn’t use a “wife” excuse, she exited stage when her time was up.
Britain-based Jamaican singer, Dawn Penn, whose career dates from the rocksteady era to the present, enjoyed Rebel Salute. Although she has not performed in Jamaica for a while, the No, No, No singer has continued globe-trotting.
“I performed in South America, Europe, Australia, Hawaii and then on to the eastern section of the United States,” Penn told The Gleaner.
Coming home to Jamaica is something that Penn “always look forward to”.
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The promoters recruited big names such as Maxi Priest, and the singer who was born in Britain to Jamaican parents, came on stage at 12:42 a.m. with a mission. Among his songs were Prayer for the World, Baby it’s a Wild World, Just a Little bit Longer, You got the Best of me, Some Guys Have all the Luck, Believe in Love and Set the Night to Music. He also did two songs from the catalogue of the late Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Brown.
The Messenger Luciano’s set was tight. Give Praise to Rastafari, Sweep Over my Soul, Messenger, I Come to the Garden Alone, It’s me Again Jah and Heal the World were among his choice of message music.
Veteran dancehall artiste, General Degree, was making his Rebel Salute début and he saluted Tony Rebel. His natural connection to the crowd resulted in great interaction, a necessary ingredient for a successful performance.
“As a professional, I know the type of crowd that this was going to be, so I had to choose wisely from my catalogue. And I just go out there and execute ... and I enjoyed myself,” Degree, whose real name is Cardiff Butt shared with The Gleaner.
The Traffic Blocking entertainer has not been seen much on the local stage, and he said that his absence was due to “politics”.
“I realise that if you are not friends with certain friends in the business, then you are out. And I am not friendly. When it comes to respect and all of that, I give it, but I realise that some don’t want to return it. So I just stay out of their way and go to other places ... foreign places ... to perform,” he added.
Earlier in the show, Johnny Dollar singer Roland Burrell; Errol Dunkley, who is now 73 and has been singing since he was 11-years-old; Papa Michigan, Leroy Gibbon and Tony Rebel made indelible marks on the Saluters.
Louie Culture, ‘the ole Gangalee’, came on at 5:27 a.m., right after Valiant, and his half an hour was a total Love di Vibes segment. He commanded with song such as Rudie Don’t Fear, Don’t Trust the Flex, Grab You Lass and Come, Gangalee, Old Before dem Young, Big and Bold and Bogus Badge.
Jah Mason the farmer, was on a high and he made way for closing act, Turbulence, who was dressed to impress and was quite delighted at being given the responsibility of bringing the curtains down on Rebel Salute 2025. He did a good job.
Rebel Salute will make its first ever stop in Florida on April 20, the day dedicated to all things marijuana.
English (US) ·