Jah 9 recalls Tension in Tivoli
Roots artiste Jah 9 is extremely passionate when she speaks about the tragic circumstances which inspired her latest song, Tension.
The song was released on May 23, Jah 9’s birthday. It recalls the bloody Tivoli Gardens incursion which began on that date three years ago.
“I released the track lest we forget what happened to so many persons in that community. When we forget, incidents like the Tivoli incursion can be repeated,” she stresses. “Rastafari teaches up that the children, the poor, the elderly and less fortunate must be protected,” Jah 9 adds.
The artiste, who describes her genre of music as jazz-on-dub, is not convinced that any significant light has been shed on what really happened in Tivoli Gardens.
“It’s all still very shady and there is a gaping hole in the information that has been presented to us. As a population we have become so de-sensitised to the crime and violence which takes place around us almost daily, but that should not makes us forget that families live in Tivoli and they should not be treated with total disregard.”
In 2010, the armed forces invaded Tivoli Gardens in a bid to capture strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke who was said to be holed up in the West Kingston community.
What ensued was two days of reported clashes between residents and the armed forces. At the end, 73 lay dead and many more injured. Coke was later captured by the police and extradited to the United States. Coke was given a 23-year jail term for drug trafficking.
In early May, Public Defender Earl Witter called for a commission of enquiry into activities by security forces and gunmen.
Tension is co-produced with I Grade Records out of St Croix and is part of the Songbird Riddim compilation album which is available through iTunes, VP Reggae Distribution and Ernie B’s Reggae Distribution.
“I first became aware of I Grade Records during a recent tour of Costa Rica. I was introduced to the reggae band Midnite out of the Virgin Islands and through them met with the principals of I Grade, who also produce for Midnite. I am not one to do random tracks for various producers, but the vibe was so warm and inviting I decided to release on that label,” Jah 9 explained.
Jah 9 is headed for Europe during the summer with confirmed gigs in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. She is also looking at prospects in other markets on that continent as she seeks to promote her debut album, New Name, which was released three months ago.