‘Dancehall Rising’ at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre

The countdown is on for what promises to be a historical dancehall reggae concert, as some of the Caribbean’s finest award-winning artistes — Mavado, Capleton and Lady Saw — share the prestigious Kings Theatre stage with America’s finest reggae-dancehall-rapper, Matisyahu. This grand musical encounter, titled “Dancehall Rising,” is scheduled for April 10.

Mavado, born David Constantine Brooks, an artiste, actor, DJ and music producer of Jamaican origin is one of the headlined dacehall stars set to perform in this historical concert – the first major reggae show at this world-class venue.

No stranger to fame and media attention, Mavado has, since 2004 and over the years, been releasing hits such as “Real McKoy,” “Weh Dem A Do,” “Delilah,” “Every Gyal” (with U.K. Grime artist Chipmunk) and “Survivor” (featuring Akon). To his credit, he won the 2008 UK MOBO Award for Best Reggae Act and the 2008 EME award for Male Singer of the Year.

Attendees will also get to experience Capleton, born Clifton George Bailey III, in Jamaica, but also known by many as The Prophet, The Fireman and King Shango,

Interestingly, the name by which he is best known, “Capleton,” was given to him by relatives and friends because of his outstanding analytical and oratorical skills, which were similar to that of an outstanding hometown lawyer who was named “Mr. Capleton”.

Today he continues to consistently provide the music-world with dancehall and conscious reggae hits. He started with hits like “Lotion Man” in 1991 and has sustained and improved his repertoire with others such as “Alms House,” “Matie a Dead,” “Everybody Needs Somebody,” “Wings in the Morning” with Method Man, “I Testament,” “Who Dem?,” “Jah Jah City,” “Good in Her Clothes,” “Liberation Time,” and “I-Ternal Fire,” along the way.

In terms of recognition, Capleton has won, among others, several International Reggae & World Music Awards — the “Most Outstanding Stage Personality Award” of 2005 & 2006, the “Community Service Award” of 2009 and the “Spiritual Service Through Music Award” of 2009.

Another of the headliners in the April 10th concert is Grammy Award Winning, triple-platinum dancehall artiste, Lady Saw. Controversial, bold and hailed the ‘Dancehall Queen’, Lady Saw has over the years, beginning in 1994, released hits such as “Man is the Least,” “Chat to Mi Back,” “Love Sick,” “Heels On,” “I’ve Got Your Man,” “Hot Gyal” and “Heels On.”

Additionally, Matisyahu, a Billboard’s Reggae Artist of the Year awardee, will be sharing the stage in the “Dancehall Rising” lineup. This Pennsylvania-born artiste blends Orthodox Jewish themes with roots reggae, dancehall, rock and rap in his unique brand of cross-over reggae. Dropping top 40 hits and performing to packed stadiums since 2004, Matisyahu has already given us tunes such as “One Day,” “Sunshine,” “Live Like a Warrior,” “Warrior,” “Youth” and “King Without A Crown.”

“This concert, like all the other Jammins events at Kings Theatre, BAM and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, is showing the world that the artistes, producers and promoters of our music can demand more and expect more in terms of quality events at upscale venues,” opines Caribbean-born Cheryl Vincent, who is also a R&B, folk and reggae artiste based in Brooklyn.

Other Big Concerts

On April 12, in a concert entitled “First Impression,” several Caribbean soca monarchs — Olatunji (reigning), Kes the Band, Kerwin Dubois, Mr. Killa, Ravi B, Lavaman and Lead Pipe & Saddis — from Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada and Barbados.

“Lovers of quality music in the tri-state area are certainly in for a treat,” noted Tropicalfete.com founder and director, Alton Aimable.

These and other quality cultural productions, which preserve and showcase the expressive culture of the Caribbean, The Americas, Africa and the diaspora are organized by the creative minds at Jammins Entertainment of Brooklyn, NYC.

Reggae Singer Lady Saw poses at Westwood Gallery in New York.
Associated Press / Jim Cooper