Capleton urges music veterans to guide young artistes
After 'burning down' the stage at Sting 2023, Capleton is still blazing fire on his fellow elders in the music business on their lack of support and leadership for the new generation of artistes.
"Fi di goodness a di music and the culture, and fi di benefit a di people, we just affi do di right thing and guide di youth [artistes] dem inna di right path, because dem definitely need guidance. Di youths dem also need to regard the icons and pioneers dem and the people dem who pave di way, because if you're not talking about substance, longevity and having a good track record [in music], it nuh mek no sense. If you cannot acknowledge the [legacy] we build over time, that cannot be blotted out, forgotten or removed, then you have a next guess coming. Where glory is due, you have to give it," Capleton told THE STAR.
His comments came following the confrontation between young dancehall artistes Fully Bad and Honormosity at Sting, for which both artistes were later charged by the police for disorderly conduct. They are booked for a court hearing on January 24.
"Every time supm a gwaan good, the Devil always intervene and try fi spoil it. But the good will always prevail over evil, no matter what. [Nevertheless] performing at Sting means everything to me, because Sting a one a di stalwart events and most of our events aren't around any more. Therefore, we affi mek sure seh we give Sting di support, no matter the consequences, because we are representing the roots, the culture and the country. Suh shows like these, wi affi step out and mek sure seh dem gwaan same way," said the Bun Up the Streets artiste, who along with Turbulence, was awarded as one of the 'Sting Super Giants' for 2023 for dominating show.
Capleton, who performed a 25-minute set, made one of the most extravagant stage entries, and the crowd was just as excited to see the musical warrior after such a spectacle. However, the 'Fyah Man' said he had one regret.
"I didn't have enough time, because you know the 'lionlogue' (catalogue) is very long. But we cya do every song inna 25 miutes, suh wi just gi everybody a little touch. Suh at least dem get even a line outta dem favourite song, because wi also a try mek everybody get a piece a it. It's all about love and unity, and a dat dem younger ones [artistes] yah need fi realise," he said.
"Fi see how di people dem a react to the roots part a di music and also the authentic dancehall is definitely a joy, because [those genres] are ours, so we have to defend and support it. These nowadays acts now have autotune to put you on key and Melodyne to [modify] yuh voice. We have to know that delivery is the key. But wi naah beat di yout dem still, wi just a guide dem. But it's up to them if they wanna accept such guidance. We love di youth dem and mi always tell dem, 'If yuh a do five songs, mek sure seh at least one conscious'," the Raggy Road singjay added.