On day two the love was set off when DJ Bubbles of Island Beats ran into a long time friend in the reggae music industry and legend Singing Melody and Wickerman as well a reggae icon the moment we passed through the gates.
Island Beats and the two reggae music trend setters had an amazing live video chat where both legends shared their vision on reggae music and the preservation of reggae music within Jamaica and spoke of how much Rebel Salute and its main objective was to keep reggae music alive to pass on to generations to come.
Singing Melody in particular expressed his view as well that it was wonderful to go on tours and take reggae music off the Island of Jamaica however stressed the importance of embracing reggae music from Jamaica the place of reggae's creation.
It was more than an honor to see Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness inside the media and definitely great that he attended the Rebel Salute movement to be a part of preserving reggae music in Jamaica.
Island also met and greeted Jamaica's Reggae Sumfest CEO Joe Bogdanovich as well who seemed to be having a wonderful time as well.
One of the greatest high lights for Island Beats was embracing King Yellowman who we had the pleasure and honor of meeting and interviewing with in Spain at Rototom 2018. Accompanied by his beautiful daughter Yellowman showed Island Beats a lot of love and judging by the crowd that was lined up to speak with him it was clear to see that he still had the title of a King in reggae music.
Inside the media tent we ran into another familiar face that Island Beats met in Toronto, Canada and that was none other than Half Pint who definitely leveled the vibes and rendered sweetness on the stage at Rebel Salute that night.
It was a blast from the past to run into Sanjay well known for Digicel Rising Stars who Island Beats has known since days of Myspace and it was an enchanting moment to meet up close and personal in the Rebel Salute media tent.
Island Beats also had a tete a tete with the son of Culture aka Joseph Hill the vibrant and bubbly Kenyatta Hill who shared with Island Beats that Rebel Salute meant everything to him because he grew up driving his father Culture Hill to the festival. Kenyatta classified Jamaica as the Apollo of reggae music and that once accepted and rated as a qualified artist in Jamaica that you were accepted every where.
Kenyatta gave us a sample of Capture Son originally sang by his father and it clear to see that he truly meant it when he said that Rebel Salute meant everything to him.
Louie Culture as well had the audience on their feet with hit after hit of rub a dub tracks that kept you swinging your hips from left to right.
Island Beats took a stroll on the grounds of Rebel Salute to take in all of the healthy and mouth watering dishes there was veggie chunks, fried and roasted fish, a savory soup, sugar cane, water melon and freshly squeezed juices the aroma was out of this world and it was hard to decide where to stop to eat because all of the counters had a different and unique menu.
One of the wonderful aspects about the food stands at Rebel Salute was that the people were served quickly, politely, and efficiently and there were no major line ups for people to purchase their food.
During our mini tour of the festival grounds again everyone sang along to Buju Banton's songs as a tribute was made to the fact that Buju Banton was now free.
By this time we heard Leroy Smart tear up the stage and we also took in King Sounds it was two amazing performances back to back.
Island Beats had the most amazing reasoning with Junior Kelly inside the media tent who shared that Rebel Salute to him meant a legacy and a treasure and a movement that would continue on for a long time and that those of us in this time serve a purpose as contributors rather than beneficiaries. Junior noted that our children and generations to come would be the beneficiaries of the music we put together now. Junior relayed that there was no other music festival in Jamaica such as Rebel Salute because during the 12 months many anticipated Rebel Salute held annually in January in Jamaica.
Junior shared with us that he was one of the pioneers of Rebel Salute and that he attended even before he actually became an artist himself.
One of the most admirable aspect about Mr Junior Kelly is that he had a passion for supporting his fellow reggae artists as well.
It was a great reasoning and Junior Kelly really taught us at Island Beats a lot about the culture of reggae as well.
As the drums rolled the "Queen" of "Queens" Queen Ifrica made her way to the stage and gave the performance of her life while she spoke of Jamaica as an original she expressed her respect to Andrew Holness during a heart wrenching speech to Jamaica's Prime Minister.
Queen Ifrica let Andrew know that she has no intention to disrespect him as Jamaica's leader while she sang Wha Gwan Jamaica she spoke directly to the Prime Minister to let him know that she was not singing the song as a form of disrespect she let the Prime Minister know that she was more than just an artist that she was a voice of the people.
Queen Ifrica contended that no one intended for people to suffer as she spoke for the unfortunate and the financial crisis currently in Jamaica.
Queen Ifrica pleaded to the heart of the Prime Minister on behalf of the girls who really needed some one to mediate and be there for them by change of certain Legislation in place.
The message was so heavy that the Prime Minister rose from his seat to embrace Queen Ifrica not an eye was dry in the crowd including Island Beats.
Queen Ifrica made a pledge on behalf of the poor hoping that they would feel a change this 2019 she expressed her love for the people as she exited the stage.
One of the most amazing parts of Queen Ifrica's time on the stage was her tribute to Garnet Silk and sang his song "Mama."
Inside the media tent Queen Ifrica shared during a press conference she expressed that she wanted to use her space in the music industry to encourage females that they could be great in the industry without degrading themselves.
Island Beats was honored to hear first hand Queen Ifrica speak so passionately about her desire to be a part of creating changes for the poor people in Jamaica who do not get a fair deal and also her mission to send a message to young girls that they are valued and precious and that she uses her platform in the music industry to convey these messages.
For Island Beats we experienced this genuine side to Queen Ifrica off of the stage a truly unforgettable experience.
Although Island Beats did not stay at the festival until the sun came up we saw enough to say that the experience of Rebel Salute was like no other a place of unity, the embracing of the culture of real and authentic reggae was definitely a priority.
There was no profanity used on the stage and it was an atmosphere suitable for families to attend as it was clean and good reggae music.
Island Beats gives Rebel Salute 2019 a "Salute."
We also want to thank Tony Rebel and Queen Ifrica for their hard work in coordinating this festival to give the world something exciting to anticipate through out the year.
Island Beats as well would like to thank Tamara, and, Kerise for our media passes and having us at Rebel Salute 2019.
Jamaica yes is little but as we say "Talawa." Although the Island may be small in size there is so much to learn and survey on the island of Jamaica.
Island Beats for the first time experienced Dunn's River Falls, we saw the Mystic Mountain and visited St Mary for the first time as well which was an amazing experience.
Despite what the media shows Jamaica to be its a beautiful island with many wonders in its environment and wonderful people such as the people we met at the Wilson En Suite Guest House and just people we met during our short stay.
Despite the economical crisis Jamaica is the land where the most beautiful music stems from.
Jamaica is a land of talent and beauty the only barrier is financial and some times division as well among the people.
Am so happy that there are festivals such as Rebel Salute to remind us how important it is embrace and preserve what God blessed us with and that is reggae music which is so highly regarded world wide that there are reggae festivals in Asia, Africa, North America, and, Europe however it is important to honor the gift God gave us in Jamaica as Kenyatta Hill referred to as "The Apollo of Reggae Music."
My hope is that Queen Ifrica's vision for change to manifest this 2019 change that will last for years to come.
For me one of the most beautiful creations out of Jamaica is my beautiful mother who instilled the desire for me to want to learn and know as much as I can about Jamaica and celebrate it's culture.
Island Beats hopes that this years Rebel Salute will spark the fire to keep that magical feeling and work together as a people and not against each other.
We hope to see you next year in Jamaica at Rebel Salute 2020.
