We enter the stadium on time and I walk her to the press gate. I wheel and go to the lot to promote reggaedubwise.com, figuring it's the more important task. Cops see me handing out promotion for the site and think I'm selling weed. "GET HIM TOO!" they yell as I nod in their direction smiling. So I walk to them. They are very confused. They are in the process of busting a young woman for rolling a spliff. This is odd since I am in a state that has decriminalized marijuana under one oz for personal possession. Head cops said he thought I was selling something. I said I am. I am selling the best new reggae being made. I hand the biggest cop a card. "Is it a good site?" he asks me. "Would I walk up to a group of police and hand promote it if I wasn't proud of it?" Next thing they are all laughing after being asked what the meaning of Irish Moss may be. I let them know that Rasta don't work with the police so I should get moving because the kids are starting to get a bad idea here. I feel this is the best way to deal with the police as a Rastaman. Head on. No fear. Make them know. They apologize profusely for judging me. No trouble Chief.
Security lets me know there is a power outage and there will be a mass exodus. Show cancelled. Full capacity. Lovely. I call Meg and she runs fast. We beat the traffic out. We remember Lady Lee, an area performer has asked us to stop into Brockton after show to see her set. Would have been tight if we stayed for all of Ziggy. We head over there and find Club Progressions without a problem.
This will be the first night of a weekly night that Lady Lee is running in Brockton, Ma. We walk into a nice club. Friendly people greet us with smiles. Bartender has Guinness Extra Stout on bottle. This is turning better by the minute. An Empress points me in Lady Lee's direction. She smiled, waved and came over to greet us. Lady Lee is one of the nicest sistren I have ever met. She seems very happy we made it.
Iyah Sound the dj for her night is selecting some solid roots, dub and dancehall, old to new and has the place moving nicely. Nice vibes.
I then introduce myself to a bredrin that happens to be an artist from my area, Toussaint, that I have listened to for a few years now. I never had the opportunity to meet him by circumstance til this point. How interesting to be miles from home and finally meet a guy that has been in my general area for years. How it goes, I suppose. We had a nice conversation over 2 draw that I had in my pocket.
We hear Lady Lee take the mic and rush back in. That's when my jaw drop. Whoa. Fire. Pure fire. Lady Lee took control of that microphone like a general. I am awestruck with this talented and beautiful woman's skills on the mic. I have heard of her prowess with chat for years and I now see why. Just wicked. The intimate crowd is howling for more. She brings that old school authority of foundation that few young artist bring to the microphone of late. She ran a short but completely solid set witht he crowd not wanting to let her off the stage. She then called up Toussaint who blessed the audience with a special dedication "Two Draw of Herb".Selector Iyah Sound then did 2 numbers of quality conscious singjay stylee. Yea. Nice vibes. Wish yall could be there. Fortunately both artists you will be seeing very soon, right here on Reggaedubwise.com.
Ok folks. I have to jet quickly. Cheech Warner of Cheech and Heyba's Reggae Bubblers is picking me up to check out the group's rehearsal in South Beach. Looking forward to meeting Cheech and friends. I appreciate him reaching to me, after finding out I am in the area. They will be playing the Rise Up festival in Vermont on Saturday. If you are in that area, I suggest you check the festival out. There is a serious line up of artists.
Bear with me as I get in the riddim of this forum blog activity. It's a new thing for me. It's very rewarding to represent such a crucial community to the world in person.
Big up Lady Lee, Toussaint and Iyah Sound for a nice time last night. Big up Cheech for reaching to meet today.
Bless
» Read More... (comments: 3)
