Capleton burns with gratitude
 

SINCE 1998 proceeds from Capleton’s annual show — A St Mary Mi Come From — have been assisting various charities in St Mary. The deejay’s efforts to assist organisations primarily in health and education with his home parish have not gone unrecognised.

This year, Capleton and the team from A St Mary Mi Come From are being recognised by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) and will receive the an honour awards for their extraordinary impact on the reggae industry. The award will be conferred on the artiste and his team at the annual awards ceremony set for March 5 at Little Theatre in St Andrew.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Claudette Kemp, the deejay’s manager, said the artiste and the entire team were struck by the gestures and are extremely grateful.

“We are so pleased that JaRIA has chosen to recognise us this year. Although we really don’t do it for the praise, when someone takes the time to recognise our efforts it says to us we are doing something right, and it definitely encourages us to push ahead. Capleton deserves all the praise for this; it is his brainchild. What started out as a little dance in 1998 has now grown and is now being recognised at this level,” said Kemp.

She further explained that the event in 1998 featured sound systems Stone Love and Killamanjaro, with performances by Sizzla, Louie Culture, and Capleton; it was held in Port Maria Bay. In 2000 the stage show format was adopted and the event moved to Grey’s Inn Sports Club in Annotto Bay. Last November, the event was staged at National Arena in the Corporate Area.

“We also want to share this award with the communities in St Mary, which have shown nothing but love for the event. They have seen the work of the proceeds, as we have helped with the X-ray unit at the Port Maria Hospital and on projects with the Annotto Bay Hospital; Schools in the parish have been provided with computer equipment. People like Dr Ray Fraser, who was the senior medical officer for the parish, he has been like a godfather for the event, helping in various areas. We pay our respects to them,” said Kemp.

A St Mary Mi Come From is among 25 other honorees the JaRIA will recognise this year. Other awardees include Eric Donaldson, Grace Jones, Sandra Brooks, Ruff Kutt band, producers Donovan Germain, Dave Kelly, Winston Riley, and ska and rocksteady pioneer Derrick Morgan.



— Richard Johnson






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