Entertainment

More Fire! - Capleton defiant despite cancellations

By TEINO EVANS, Staff Reporter

Capleton - file

'KING OF FIRE' Capleton, says he will continue to keep the fire blazing in his music despite the strong opposition that he and other dancehall artistes have been getting from gay rights activists around the world.

"Any weh mi guh, a jus love di people dem have fi mi. Di joy weh dem have fi mi, an di love weh di fans dem have fi mi, yuh si like all France an dem place deh, a different fire dem man deh burn man, hotta fire," Capleton said.

Too radical

It is said that Capleton, like other local deejays, are too radical in how they express their musical views. Capleton, however believes these critics are biased, since, according to him, he has not been any more radical than icons Bob Marley or Peter Tosh.

"A music wi livicate all our life, an a jus positiveness wi deh pon right yah now. Why when Capleton seh, 'bun a fire', people interpret it to mean something literal? Check di energy, when Bob Marley, Peter Tosh an dem man deh seh 'bun', is a metaphorical ting. Suh why when Capleton seh it, dem tek it literal," he argued.

Capleton has had to deal with a number of cancelled shows on the international scene because of the fight against reggae/dancehall artistes, but he continues to persevere.

"The greatest thing con-cerning me now a di whole issue of the cancellation of wi events, cause in America, wi had about 30 concerts, but they successfully cancelled bout three or four. Mi have bout eight cancellations in France and Belgium alone," Capleton said.

Capleton said reggae-/dancehall music would always get a fight, but this only made him more determined in his efforts.

"When wi si di love weh di people dem have fi wi, an wi know that our kind a music a guh always get a fight, wi still a keep di Gideon," he said.

But despite the fight that reggae/dancehall music has been getting, Capleton said there are positive aspects to the music that should be highlighted.

"Wi love how di roots an culture start rise above di rest. It is a joy to know that I contribute to it an nuff youths even emulate Capleton an wi si di glory established. Mi love di turn weh di music tek, a it wi a chant fa, fi mek nuff youts rise," he said.

Capleton has some advice for these young artistes too.

"My advice to young artistes is strong determination, diligence, humility, tolerance and don't ever get too hype. Give thanks fi di icons dem an di pioneers who pave di way," he said.

"In my music, di message is about self-esteem, self-reliance, salvation and liberation. Rastafari love equal rights and justice."

Capelton is set to practise that mantra of self-reliance with his upcoming show 'St. Mary Mi Come From' scheduled for August 6. He is also looking forward to touring Africa next year.

"I've never been there (Africa). A 18 years now mi a set it, cause a from dem time deh di people dem a Africa a look fi mi," Capleton said.

In the meantime, Capleton says he will continue to record songs and perform like he always does.

"Wi jus haffi gwaan hold di struggle, cause a nuh jus mental slavery, but physical slavery," he said.