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By:
Harrison Maina | |||||||||||||
| Posted:
Aug,20-2015 18:31:16
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PROVIDENCE, RI--Founder and key member of the Steel Pulse Reggae band, David "Dread" Hinds said that the current spell of police officers shooting at the black youths here in the U.S. could be racially motivated.
He spoke during an interlude at the sixth Annual Waterfront Reggae Festival in Providence Rhode Island Saturday August 8th. He made the comments before he sang a new song Hands up Don't Shoot, with a message against the police shootings. "Many afro Americans getting shot down by police officers, he said. I know you are the smallest State in the union and I know you can make a change. Tomorrow is the first anniversary since the Michael Brown shooting, so listen to this," he told an enthusiastic crowd of more than 3,000 people who cheered him on.
He added that because President Obama is biracial that could have triggered anger in some white police officers. "I think this is all because some people are mad to see a black man being president of the USA he said. So they are killing black youths as revenge. It's like we are going back to the 1950's when black people were being killed everywhere," Hinds told Ajabu Africa News in after the show interview.
However, he also said that hope lied in people's attitudes. He said that if Americans reached out to each other, the tension could be eased.
He attended the annual concert last Saturday that brings together reggae artists from around the world to perform at the event organized by the Rhode Island Waterfront Events and Newport Waterfront Events. Among those who attended this year's event included Hinds Steel Pulse, Jamaican reggae star Yellowman, Third World reggae band, and Mighty Mystic of Boston, High Hopes band, The Copacetic and Omega Sounds' D.J, Realm. Hinds also called for legal education courses to be introduced for all black youths so they understand their rights and know how to respond when they come into contact with the police officers. He cautioned black youths to avoid responding to police with aggression saying that "aggression breeds aggression." He advised black youths in America to listen more to reggae music so that they can be educated on some of the issues that affect their lives in USA. "Listen to the vibes man, he said. There is a lot of education in reggae music." The 10 hour event started at 12 noon ending at 10pm.To warm the stage at around mid-day were performances by the High Hopes band, The Copacetic and Omega Sounds' D.J, Realm D.J and Mighty Mystic band. Later, the crowd got fired up by the appearance of Jamaican born Christian Winston Foster popularly known as "King Yellowman" when he got on the stage accompanied by his daughter, Kareena Foster.
Yellowman moved the crowed that had been seating most of the afternoon on its feet with the introduction of his dance hall music especially the Zungu Zungu. Joining him on the stage was his daughter, Kareena. Kareena is following in the footsteps of her father as an entertainer. She performed several hits from her new album titled Father's Love, in dedication to the legendary dancehall entertainer. "I felt blessed to be here today,Yellowman said. My music brings people together, just like Bob Marley, Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Third World, Mighty Diamond, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer. Only music can bring Africa together, because the politicians fail the people, disappoint the people," Yellowman told Ajabu Africa News. He received a lot of adorations of his music from the crowd and educational value. Reggae music He received a lot of adorations for his music from the crowd for its entertainment and educational value. Reggae music has a massive following across nations and especially the continent of Africa. The music appeals to many Africans especially the youth in the impoverished parts of the cities. Kareema added that she felt blessed and honored to be the daughter of the world famous reggae star and she eyes a successful career in the reggae music world. Other performers included the world famous Jamaican reggae band, Third World who belted out hit after hit for several hours before Steel Pulse, the main events headliner took the stage at prime time.
It was the first time for the annual reggae event to be hosted at the new India Park Waterfront location in Providence. The Newport Yatch club located in Newport, south of Providence, has hosted the event in the previous years. Artists voiced their satisfaction with the venue and the organizers. They hoped that the organizers will keep improving the festival that has been expanding every year to accommodate the growing numbers of entertainers and music lovers. "I think the organizers did a pretty remarkable job. This new location seems great and attracted a lot of people," said Rich Nesin, Steel Pulse band tour manager. But there is room for improvement to make the experience much better in the future." Mighty Mystic added, "I loved being here today and the opportunity to do my songs. The people were fantastic, the vibes were great and the day was beautiful."
Fans also had their take for the outstanding festival, praising organizers for the choice of the new location. "I have been attending the Waterfront Reggae festival every year since it was launched, said Ben Ndirangu, a reggae fan from Kenya. This location is the best. It is closer and convenient for everyone to get to. The only problem was the limited parking and the dust in the park." "This was awesome, said Joanne Keaveney, who identifies herself as the Queen of Diversity on Boston's 101.3 FM radio station. I have waited for 37 years just to see Third World, my favorite reggae band." Keaveney said her favorite song by Third World was the "Now that We Got love what are we gonna do with it".
"I loved the music and the day was fantastic. Reggae music is great," said a Gambia man who preferred to go by Yus. "It was an awesome day. I can't wait for next year," said Francis Kimaru, a renowned Kenyan entrepreneur based in Worcester, MA. Steel Pulse, a band originally founded in Birmingham, went on to perform at the Hamptons in New York the following Sunday as part of their current US tour, while Jamaica's Yellowman and Third World were also scheduled to perform at other venues in different US cities. More Pics
More pics coming sooon! | |||||||||||||
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Source:
Ajabu Africa News
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