Drums, LA Lewis, Will and Kate light up Trench Town
Published:Wednesday | March 23, 2022 | 12:13 AMDebra Edwards/Assistant Online Lifestyle Editor
A far cry from the scorching protest against their arrival that took place outside the British High Commission earlier, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge received a warm welcome in Trench Town on Tuesday afternoon as they entered Culture Yard, reggae icon Bob Marley’s stamping ground-turned-cultural centre and museum.
After a quick courtesy call with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, and Lady Allen the couple broke a sweat on the football field and got a taste of Jamaica’s musical heritage at the cultural home of reggae.
Moments before the royal couple entered Culture Yard, local Internet sensation L.A. Lewis – self-styled Jamaican royalty – offered a sideshow protest of his own, claiming he was turned away from meeting the prince by Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange.
“Why ‘Babsy’ Grange want to embarrass the Maroon emperor?” Lewis questioned.
As the crowd shouted, “Seven!” behind him, L.A. added: “He (Prince William) is the European prince and I am the Jamaica emperor.”
In a different location on the property, veteran guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and his Binghistra – a bingy drum orchestra – chanted reggae melodies as they waited for the Duke and Duchess to arrive.
Acknowledging that he knew his time with the royal couple would be short, Smith promised that the only message he would send them was through music. He was happy to have them among his audience.
“I’m grateful to know the king want to hear Rasta music,” Smith told The Gleaner.
As the Binghistra sang about repatriation and the controversial call for reparation, Smith said he empathise with Prince William and the heat he faced for his forebears.
“We understand it’s a burden for him [Prince William], for his forefathers have messed up,” said Smith.
He broached a more conciliatory tone rather than to “bun out” the royals, but he questioned whether the monarchy was willing to apologise for the brutality suffered by blacks during hundreds of years of slavery and colonialism.
Making their way inside Culture Yard, Kate sported a multicoloured dress with nude heels, while her husband donned a blue shirt with cream-coloured pants.
Getting a tour of the museum, they signed the guestbook and were then treated to a quick drumming session with Smith and the Binghistra.
Chief tour guide of Trench Town Culture Yard, Donnette Dowe, was elated to have met them.
“I’m excited that they chose to come visit us,” she said.
The Duke and Duchess are in Jamaica to mark the Queen’s 70th anniversary on the throne. They depart for the Bahamas on Thursday.