Capleton
By Kevin P. Nelson
Photos by Liana Minassian
Yes, the sun was shining, the weather was sweet. The only thing stronger than the smell of jerk chicken and skewered pork was the "riddims" which reverberated from Bayfront Park. Smiles were abundant, eyes bloodshot and half closed, and the masses shuffled their feet and swayed their own ways to an all-star-line up.
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The atmosphere at the 16th Annual Caribbean Festival seemed livelier than in past years, even though this year was the first festival unattended by Bob Marley’s mother, Mrs. Cedella Marley Booker, who passed away last year. She was the reason why the festival occurred in the first place. Before the Marley brothers took the stage, a video scrapbook of Bob Marley’s life was played as dedication, followed by a not-so-silent moment of silence. Throughout the night, the crowd was reminded of what one person can create: life, opportunities, great music. To call this festival a miracle might be going too far— but to witness it was truly a blessing.
Buju Banton
A daytime performance worth mentioning was the local Miami group Jahfé—pronounced jah-fay. They cooked up some hot dub reggae laced with a smooth complementary horn section. To add to Jahfé’s spice is the beautiful voice of Esther Fortune, which could entrance any mind through willing ears.
If the crowd ever came close to a lingering sleep from a gradual intoxication they were shaken awake by the wailings of Sizzla Kalonji, who performed many songs from his 2008 release Rastafari. At one point the dancehall riddim ceased and Sizzla continued to exert all his energy into each flip of word and turn of phrase. He left everything he brought to Miami on that stage, and when he was done he stood aside watching Buju Banton, rocking back and forth, as if to say he could have gone longer with the microphone in his hand.
Collie Buddz
Buju Banton kept the crowd warm with an array of great songs from his 21-year career. Banton displayed an incredible and versatile vocal range. He'd start a lyric rapping, lead into song— then back to a rough rap. His enthusiasm on stage made his performance truly enjoyable.
Then Kymani Marley, the Miami raised son of Bob Marley, took the stage. Many of his songs are heavily influenced by hip hop. Kymani spit several militant-minded tracks, including releases from his newest album Radio such as "The March" and "Ghetto Soldier." He even performed the song "Warriors," for those who have been around since his first album The Journey. Tessanne Chin also came out and performed a solo, then joined Kymani in a couple duets. The two complemented each other perfectly.
Kymani Marley
Julian "Juju," Damian "Jr. Gong," and Stephen Marley burst out onto the stage, opening with Bob Marley’s own, "Kaya." The brothers took turns doing solo songs from their albums between a song or two of Bob’s. Damian was one of the first to deliver a solo piece, which was the highlight of the night for me. The song was "Trouble" from his second album Mr. Marley. The brothers also sang their father’s "Concrete Jungle," "Three Little Birds, "Redemption Song," and many more to much appreciation and participation from the audience. Stephen played several songs from his Grammy award winning album Mind Control. Even though my ankles and feet were inflamed from hours of dancing, the Marley brothers served as one hell of a finale — completely erasing away my pain.
Capleton
In all reality, the festival wasn’t about getting trashed or toasted, gone to the gutter or crispy fried. The festival is about the music of Bob Marley and the artists who have come since – artists who have been given the opportunity, as in the case of Mrs. Marley Booker, because it only takes one person to create a better world for another.
This is Bob Marley’s legacy; this is Mrs. Cedella Marley Booker’s legacy—performed at the tip of the tongue of the United States of America. Like a watchtower over the Caribbean, the riddims cast their light yearly from the edge of Miami. I know I’ll be waiting to catch the light of next year’s flyers.
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