Chinna Smith chides singers who ‘robbed’ Marcus Garvey

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero, is revered in reggae and Rastafari circles, and as a result, songs abound that pay tribute to the visionary, the black nationalist and the leader of the Pan-Africanism movement. Among the many artistes who have recorded songs that salute ‘Daddy Marcus’ are Fred Locks, Black Star Liner; Johnny Clarke and the Agrovators, Poor Marcus; Culture, Marcus; Burning Spear, Marcus Senior, and an album titled Marcus Garvey; The Visionaries, Marcus Garvey; Perfect Black Marcus and Third World, Man of Nobility.

These songs have made great statements throughout the years and helped to keep Marcus Garvey’s name resounding, but there is one musician who believes that Marcus Garvey was not dealt with fairly by some of these artistes. Influential guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, also known as Earl Flute and Melchezidek the High Priest, told The Gleaner that singers and players of instruments have reaped benefits through these songs but have failed to give back or pay it forward.

“I think Marcus Garvey has been robbed,” said Smith, the guitar legend who in 2013 was honoured with a Silver Musgrave Medal by the Institute of Jamaica.

He continued: “Because if you go and check all those artistes who use up him lyrics – Marcus Garvey words come to pass – try find out what are their contributions to a Marcus Garvey Day or the whole St Ann’s project. I won’t be calling any names because the songs are all out there, and we know who is singing them.”

Smith drew a parallel with Haile Selassie. “Same way how people call upon Haile Selassie I name and same way dem deal towards Ethiopian everything. It’s good that we have saints like Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie who give us so much power, but it is so sad that when we use up dem name and dem lyrics, we don’t contribute anything towards that movement. That is the sad part. But as them seh, ‘Marcus Garvey word come to pass,’” Smith said.

The legendary guitarist, who has worked with reggae’s ‘A’-list, including Bob Marley and The Wailers on their 1976 album, Rastaman Vibration, and who names Marley as his favourite artiste, has numerous credits on a raft of international hits such as Lauryn Hill’s Grammy-winning album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse’s début album, Frank.

INSPIRATION

The Rastafarian Smith readily admits that Garvey, who was born on August 17, 1887, has been an inspiration to him. “Marcus Garvey has inspired me in so many ways, and it’s not just because him born as a Issachar like me. [Smith was born on August 6.] Marcus has showed us strength and integrity as a black person. Marcus is like a grid where I stay on for years, and every time I think ‘bout it is like me just recharge. Being charged like that, it makes me concerned. It shows how important it is to be responsible as a black person living in this time and to be able to go through life without blemish,” he said soberly.

Garvey, the founder and first president-general of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, advocated for “separate but equal” status for persons of African ancestry and sought to establish independent black states around the world, notably in Liberia on the west coast of Africa. In the United States, he was a noted civil rights activist who founded the Negro World newspaper, a shipping company called Black Star Line, and a fraternal organisation of black nationalists.

VIRTUAL CELEBRATION

In celebration of the 134th birthday of Marcus Garvey, the consulate of Jamaica in Namibia will host a virtual symposium under the theme African Unity – the Spinal Chord. A press release stated: “The first day, August 17, will be devoted to Garvey himself, reflecting on what he stood for and his vision for a United Africa that is prosperous and self-reliant. Some 10 international speakers of renown from the continent and the diaspora will share their perspectives. The following three days, August 18-20, will have speakers on specific aspects that Garvey emphasised in lectures, books, and practice of what a prosperous and inclusive Africa should embrace.”

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com