By Lesroy W. Williams
Observer Reporter
(Basseterre, St. Kitts)—After much anticipation, Jah Cure ran onto the stage at Carnival Village to the screams and excitement of a sardine-packed crowd at 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, and performed for 45 minutes, intervals excluded.
The tickets said that the show was to start at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 26; the gates were to open at six.
None of this happened. The show didn’t begin until after 11 p.m. The gates were opened at 8 p.m. with people slowly trickling in.
As Jah Cure blasted out his lyrics in songs such as Longing For, Sticky, I Know Jah Jah Bless Me, What Will It Take, True Reflections and To Your Arms of Love, ganja smoke filled the air, Rastas waved their flags, women screamed, the crowd chanted and rocked.
The concert was organized jointly by Chippie and Bare Vybz Entertainment.
It was dubbed an anti-crime and violence concert in light of the rising crime and violence in the Federation.
According to Alfred Harley, General Manager of Chippie the concert was designed to bring about “a cure” for the criminal activities that has been taking place locally.
As a former prisoner, Jah Cure had words of admonition for the young people to stay clear of violence and criminal activity.
Jah Cure, whose real name is Siccaturie Alcock, has brought joy to countless dancehall fans the world over despite his criminal record. He was born in Jamaica on Oct. 11, 1978 and raised in Kingston. He met Capleton while growing up in Kingston and it was Capleton who gave him the name ‘Jah Cure.’ He had his first big break in March, 1997, when he released the single “King of the Jungle” which was a duet with Sizzla. The single was produced by Beres Hammond who went on to become his mentor. He then released a steady stream of singles that won him critical and popular acclaim.
He was nabbed by police in November 1998, in Montego Bay and arrested on charges of gun possession, rape and robbery. He was prosecuted in April, 1999, found guilty and sentenced to 13 years in prison. While in prison he had access to recording equipment, and released three albums and a number of singles, some of which have topped the Jamaican chart. His first album “Free Jah’s Cure: The Album of Truth” was released in 2000; “Ghetto Life” was released in 2003; “Freedom Blues” was released in 2005 and “True Reflections: A New Beginning” was released in 2007.
Yet the past remained with the Ja Cure.
In the Jamaica Gleaner dated August 28, 2005 in the article “Reliving a nightmare- Jah Cure’s Victim tells her story,” the victim said that to her, Jah Cure is nothing more than the villain in her flashbacks of the night she and her aunt were both held up at gunpoint, robbed and raped.
It was eight months before she managed to build up enough courage to go out in public again, the victim said. She said the stigma and embarrassment of being raped was too much for her.
Several top entertainers called and visited her home, offering her large sums of cash if she would help Jah Cure to get an early release from prison, the victim said.
“We don’t want any money. I just want him to admit to his wrong and apologize publicly. I cannot take their money and go to the supermarket and buy a pound of respect, dignity and self-esteem,” she said.
When asked why Jah Cure for an anti-crime concert, Alfred Harley of Chippie asked the question: Why not? After all, he said, “Jah Cure has served prison time and there are valuable lessons that he can teach to young people having gone through that experience.”
Jah Cure has never publicly confessed to any wrong- doing and to this day has maintained his innocence. He was released from jail on parole on July 28, 2007, after serving eight years.
And as far as the anti-crime concert?
“The show was quite a success,” Mr. Harley said.
He said that about 5,000 tickets were sold and it was a record breaking crowd for such a small venue.
“Because of the venue, some people had difficulty getting into the Carnival Village which was an unusual thing for them. It appeared that there was going to be some kind of pandemonium but it was just that there was so much energy to see Jah Cure,” he said. Additional gates had to be opened.
“Although it was a huge cost, $175,000 EC dollars to bring Jah Cure and his band here, there were no regrets,” Mr. Harley said.
No one won the $5000 dollars that was supposed to be given away on the night of the show and presented to the winner by Jah Cure for several reasons. According to Mr. Harley, there will be the final drawing Tuesday of next week at the Chippie Office where the winner will be announced.
