Resounding praise for Yaksta’s contribution to Reggae Month

There was resounding praise for Kemaul Martin, more popularly known as Yaksta, last Tuesday night at the launch party held for his début album, Yaksta 22. The event, staged at the Festival Market Place on the waterfront in Kingston, experienced several delays, with showtime happening two hours later than the scheduled 8 p.m. start time.

The stage opened with speeches from government officials and music-industry professionals, all of whom hailed Yaksta’s contribution to the local music genres and for aligning the launch of the album with the Reggae Month celebrations.

Speaking with The Gleaner, State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Alando Terrelonge said that adding to the high quality of dancehall music being delivered by Yaksta, the artiste has also echoed the “true spirit of reggae” by spreading consciousness and paying homage to the pioneers of the genre.

“I feel really good about the launch. It was a celebration of reggae, dancehall, and of a young Jamaican male who came out of a developing community in St Mary and a single-mother home but has overcome challenges and is now making his name. There are some persons who have pigeonholed dancehall into a particular kind of lyrics, but using Yaksta as one of the examples, when he is singing farming over flossing and maintaining a good relationship with a wife [rather] than a side-chick, it has that is a deep level of consciousness,” Terrelonge said.

He added: “Any corner of the world someone travels, especially where it is question of social justice, unity, reform, and change, the music of reggae is going to ring out, and for me, that is the foundation of the roots of reggae. Reggae Month started out as celebrating the birthdays and contributions of the great Dennis Brown and the great Bob Marley, and Yaksta, in his music and this album, has beckoned the rise of greatness. It is literally celebrating giants of the past and those coming in the future.”

The Festival Market Place was abuzz though a larger turnout was expected for the live show, which advertised free entry to the public. However, with each performance, the crowd thickened and moved closer to the stage. The scheduled entertainment included the likes of Monifa, second-place winner of the 2016 Digicel Rising Stars competition and one of the vocalists for Yaksta’s Skalawagz Band; Shane-O; 10Tik; Chronic Law; and Beenie Man. Backed by Kurfew Band, they delivered exceptional sets despite a few interruptions caused by technical issues. After a quick band change, Yaksta emerged on stage, styled in a lime green ‘bush suit’ by fashion designer and owner of Seora Clothing, Shamara Sahadeo.

The Ambition artiste, whose album will officially be released on February 24, gave a humble welcome speech with positive affirmations. The familiar sounds of Assets and Hype & Bruk put the audience in a celebratory mood, but Yaksta also shifted gears by inviting Monifa to perform their collaboration, Speaks, a soulful love song, and then in paying tribute to the ska period with songs like Boogie Woogie and Peter Tosh’s Johnny B Goode. He also performed Bob Marley’s Iron Lion Zion.

Yaksta’s mother, Bermalee Hyde, who made an appearance on stage at the beginning of his performance, lending a rag to wipe the sweat off her son’s face, spoke of her pride.

“I’m feeling good, good, good. He’s doing well and I’m very proud of Kemaul,” said Hyde.

Opposition Spokesman on Education, Senator Damion Crawford, also said he was proud, “standing here not as a politician but as a farmer”.

“When I listened to Yaksta song, me build a fowl coop fi true, true, true. So when me hear somebody represent what I’m trying to do and what I’m trying to achieve … I have to give him the support because he is supporting my lifestyle and activities, and me proud of him,” Crawford said.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com