Children of the Icons concert heads to Negril today

Children of the Icons and Emerging Artistes is more than a reggae concert, but a launching pad and mentorship platform for young artistes.

This is how the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, envisioned the concert series she created in 2019. Minister Grange hoped young, aspiring musicians and artistes would benefit by being on the same stage with seasoned performers.

“We have to prepare the next generation,” said Minister Grange, “We have to expose them and help them to follow a path to success like the great pioneers of Jamaican music. And so by promoting Children of the Icons and Emerging Artistes, we are helping them to hone their skills and talent, and we are building confidence in them as future reggae ambassadors.”

The concert series heads to Woodstock in Negril this evening, starting at 7 p.m. and the Reggae Month event will feature Richie Spice as the guest artiste. The seasoned performer feels honoured to be onstage with these young artistes.

“It’s a great feeling that I’m a part of this event,” said Richie Spice, “It’s something very uplifting, very nice towards reggae music. A lot of young artistes get to shine, show their talent. It’s uplifting. I’m so happy and humbled to be a part of it.”

The show will also feature Teshay Makeda, based in south London, whose grand-uncle is Steve Golding, a rhythm guitarist who toured with Peter Tosh and had his own group Ossie D and Stevie G; Garnet Alkehm, the son of Roots, Reggae singer Garnet Silk; as well as Ragga Jahmari, the son of producer/engineer Nigel Burrell.

Also performing will be emerging artistes Monifa, Jahcheff, Prince J, Mr. Universe and Kheela.

Saturday’s show will be the final instalment of the Children of the Icons and Emerging Artistes series for this Reggae Month following last week’s exciting show in Ocho Rios which featured guest artiste, Valiant.