Tony Rebel reflects on Rebel Salute at 30; legacy in good hands
Published:Tuesday | December 19, 2023 | 12:08 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
What started out in January 1994 as a birthday party has morphed into a movement that has already lasted 30 years and is poised to last at least another 30. It is called Rebel Salute; its adherents are known collectively as ‘Saluters’; and the driving force is reggae-dancehall singer, Tony Rebel.
January 15 is the birthday of Patrick George Anthony Barrett aka Tony Rebel, and four days after his Earthstrong, he will take to the Rebel Salute stage in Plantatation Cove, St Ann, to celebrate not only another year around the sun, but also the 30th anniversary of the event which had its genesis in 1994.
For Rebel, as he is affectionately called, it is a time to comfortably reflect, especially since his legacy planning is locked and loaded. He is mindful, however, that while “the young is coming with the energy”, it is important to preserve the landmark.
“I handed over the reigns long time,” the proud father of many said. “Jayudah [daughter] run most of the thing … she did everything for the launch. I just showed up. My son Pathoni was the co-host, some of the kids do the social media, another of my daughters is an accountant and so she controls that area. It is all very strategic. But I emphasise that they cannot remove the landmarks ... the pillar on which Salute is built.”
Rebel — who was in a jolly mood at the well-executed launch of the event last Thursday at the Gardens of the The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston —
shared that he has had his children working at the event since they reached 10 years old, starting at the foot of the ladder and working their way up, while ensuring that they focused on education. They have excelled in fields such as law, medicine, finance and of course, making their own mark on the musical stage.
“I incorporate my youths dem long time. I had them at the gate collecting tickets and putting them in a bag. That way they understood the importnace of ensuring that the tickets that were already sold did not get back into the system. And I even have others like Ryan who is not my biological son, but he plays an important role every year,” he explained.
On reflection, the Rastafarian from the tribe of Naphtali — named after his birth month, January — noted that the journey has been “long and hazardous” but emphasised that the four pillars on which Rebel Salute has been built have stood the test of time. Those pillars are family, education, culture and community.
“Rebel Salute is a family-oriented event … even when you and yuh family not talking, all of oonu a come a Rebel Salute together. We provide ‘edutainment’ … that’s why we have to coin those word. It is about the preservation of the music and the culture, that’s why we don’t use certain artistes and that’s why we don’t sell alcohol or meat and we ban the use of profanity on stage. When Rebel Salute started 30 years ago, you could hardly find a ital or veggie restaurant, now they are all over the place,” the Rastaman said with a satisfied smile.
Rebel, who pointed out that he shares the same birthday as Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King, spoke passionately about Rebel Salute’s contribution to nation building through community tourism, for example, and also by providing jobs for those inside and outside of the music industry.
“When we were in St Elizabeth and there weren’t enough rooms, Saluters were happy to rent rooms from the people in the community, and they built some great friendships over the years,” he said.
A one-night event initially, the demand has seen it flourish into a two-day festival featuring a strong line-up of internationally acclaimed reggae artistes, and in some instances, dancehall acts who have a slew of ‘consciousness’ tunes in their arsenal.
Rebel Salute had its first outing at Fayor’s Entertainment Centre in Mandeville, Manchester on Friday, January 14, 1994 and subsequently relocated to Brooks Park, in the parish, and then Port Kaiser Sports Club in St Elizabeth. Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in Priory, St Ann has been the home since 2013.
Staying true to its mandate — the Preservation of Reggae — Rebel Salute 30 will feature 30 acts across two nights. Third World, Anthony B, Marcia Griffiths, Sanchez, Mikey Spice, Glen Washington, Tony Rebel, Richie Stephens, Tapazuki, Benji Myaz, Lone Ranger, I-Wayne, Sese Foster and MC Mutabaruka, will perform on Friday, January 19 at what Rebel said excitedly will be “a singers’ paradise”.
On Saturday, Saluters will be thrilled by Sean Paul, Capleton, Etana, Peter Metro, Louie Culture, Luciano, Fantan Mojah, Yellowman, Josey Wales, and a dub plate showcase featuring Dynamq versus Sky Juice.