Redemption 8 the Concert served as a platform for the singers to plead for an end to the violence and criminality in T&T, as well as for thousands of attendees to relive their favorite reggae and dancehall moments.
The five headlining acts, including T&T’s Black Loyalty, renowned Jamaican reggae performers Luciano (Jepther McClymont), Beres Hammond, Buju Banton (Mark Myrie), and Anthony B (Keith Blair), all denounced the country’s rife criminality and appealed for peace to return.
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For many people who had to undergo another week of carnage during which at least nine murders were perpetrated, it was a night of healing.
Just after 8 o’clock, Black Loyalty got things started and created an exciting atmosphere for the performers that came following. He sang well-known songs like “On My Way” and “Better Days,” and he was the first to tackle the crime problem by urging a return to positivism, especially among young people.
At nine o’clock in the evening, reggae icon Luciano took the stage and sang songs that echoed the same feeling.
Luciano addressed the crowd during his rendition of the well-known song Sleep Over My Soul, saying, “If unnu tired of di war and violence, all di senseless killing, me ask di Almighty to sweep away all di violence.”
Having performed for more than three decades, Luciano sang some of his timeless songs, such as Give Praise, It’s Me Again, Jah, Lord Give Me Strength, and Your World and Mine.
Beres Hammond, a Lovers’ rock musician, then onto the stage to cry from the female audience members. Despite being 67 years old, Hammond performed a strong rendition of Rise and Shine as his opening number.
He expressed gratitude to the audience as they sang along in unison to mega-hits including “Putting Up a Resistance,” “One Dance Can Do,” “Standing in My Way,” and “No Disturb Sign.”
The Queen’s Park Savannah venue overwhelmed the speakers with the audience’s shouts as Hammond finished with Rock Away.
Buju was the next performer, and he began with the lyrics from his famous song Destiny, “Rich man’s wealth is in the city.” Likewise, he denounced the gun violence in T&T.
Buju had a memorable performance while being backed by the Shiloh band, belting out dancehall classics like Dickie, Only Man, Champion, and Movie Star.
The audience went berserk when he brought Hammond back on stage to perform their joint songs Pull It Up and Falling In Love Again.
Numerous customers started to leave the stadium when Buju left the stage at 3 am, believing Anthony B was not going to perform.
Anthony B was “on his way,” the announcers assured the audience, even though the event was supposed to end by 4 am. Anthony B gave his awaiting fans fresh life at 3.35 am after flying into Trinidad from France where he had performed on Friday night.
Anthony B rushed through his performance because he only had a small amount of time, but he didn’t let the remaining loyal down. Favorites including Tease Her, Repentance Time, Raid D’ Barn, and a long list of others were enthusiastically appreciated.
Although Anthony B was supposed to be “on his way,” the hosts assured the audience that the event would end when it was supposed to at 4 am. After doing a performance in France on Friday night, Anthony B flew into Trinidad and gave his awaiting fans a fresh lease of life at 3.35 am.
Anthony B hurried through his set since he was running out of time, but he didn’t let the remaining devoted people down. Popular songs like Tease Her, Raid D’ Barn, and Repentance Time earned favorable reviews.
