5 months ago
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Conscious reggae singer Warrior King is beyond delighted to be one of the recipients of the Bob Marley Peace Award, which will be handed out to nine Jamaican artistes — one posthumously — at Tribute To The Reggae Legends, an annual stageshow which is scheduled for the Worldbeat Cultural Center in San Diego, California, on February 21 and 22.
“I can hardly find words to describe how honoured I feel to be recognised in such a meaningful way. I was inspired by Bob Marley, so to be receiving an award named after him …. I can’t even say that it’s a dream come true, because I never even had such a dream. But, this reality is much better than any dream I could have had,” a grateful Warrior King told The Gleaner.
The Never Go Where Pagans Go singer said that he was “also honoured to be named among such legends in the music business”, and he dropped some gems of wisdom.
“Just do good … even when you are going through the storm. Don’t follow the crowd … just maintain your standard and the respect; and sometimes even the riches, if that is what you desire, will follow. I am trying to leave a legacy for my children … something that will empower them and make them want to be the best human beings they can be. This award is totally unexpected, and I must say that it is a great way to start the year,” said Warrior King, whose real name is Mark Dyer.
The other awardees of the Bob Marley Peace Award are Sister Nancy, Johnny Osbourne, Toots Hibbert, Little John, Triston Palmer, Ranking Joe, Michael Palmer and Etana. The King of Reggae, Marley was awarded the United Nations Peace Medal of the Third World on June 15, 1978 for his efforts to promote peace in Jamaica during a time of political unrest. It was presented to him by Mohmmadu ‘Johnny’ Seka, the Senegalese youth ambassador to the UN. At the One Love Peace Concert in Kingston, in April 1978, Marley was instrumental in bringing the leaders of the rival political parties on stage to shake hands.
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Warrior King commended conceptualiser Makeda ‘Dread’ Cheatom for shining a light in this way on the Jamaican entertainers.
“Makeda is a strong black woman who is highly respected as a civil rights activist and also as a radio host. She has done a lot for the Indigenous people and the African-American community, and is the founder of the WorldBeat Cultural Center. Makeda [is] always promoting authentic reggae music. I have worked on many of her events and I am booked for this show as well… so [to] get an award from her is a great honour,” Warrior King shared.
Cheatom’s bio describes her as “an American entrepreneur and civil activist in San Diego, creator of the Children’s EthnoBotany Peace Garden, and co-founder of Casa del Túnel in Tijuana, Mexico”.
This year will be the 44th staging of Tribute To The Reggae Legends, and the two-day event will see sound systems in action, as well as live performances. On Friday, there will be a sound system night dubbed ‘Virgin Islands Meets Jamaica’, with Dezarie and Ninja P representing for the Virgin Islands and Michael Palmer and Ranking Joe waving the Jamaican flag high.
Saturday, which is described as “a full day celebrating roots reggae”, will have performances from Sister Nancy; Johnny Osbourne; Etana; Junior Toots, who will do a tribute to his late father; Triston Palmer; Little John; Quinto Sol; Revival, with Mara Sulu; and Good Over Evil sound system.
Ready for his performance on February 22, Warrior King shared that prior to that, on the 15th, he has a show in New York, Love is My Religion, alongside reggae singer Iba Mahr.
“I will be on the road a lot this year and I give thanks for that. Music-wise, I have three songs to start the year fresh …. Positive Energy on Tad Records label, Lost Soul on Panta Son Records, and a feature on a song by the group Heavyweight Rockas,” he shared.
English (US) ·