Chronixx, Popcaan, Asadenaki And More Skank For Bunny Wailer’s 74th Birthday
Bunny Wailer’s life and legacy received stirring tributes when several Dancehall and Reggae entertainers came together last Saturday, April 10 to celebrate what would have been his 74th birthday.
Wailer, also known as Jah B, died on March 2 after battling to recover from two strokes.
In a pre-recorded show called Rootsman Skanking at his Weymouth Drive home, several prominent Reggae and Dancehall artists came together to give the iconic Rastafarian a fitting celebration.
The show started with Bunny Wailer himself, outlining his vision for “lime and tune.” Besides stirring performances, many heartfelt tributes came in from artists like Spragga Benz, who shared that he was honored to have known Jah B. He thanked the legend for the guidance he provided.
The younger generation artists delivered high-energy performances as they celebrated Wailer’s birthday.
Chronixx was among those sharing his voice in tribute to the Reggae legend. He began his set with Wailer’s Ram Dancehall and followed it up with a performance of Keep on Moving. During his performance, he declared: “Godfather an’ God of dancehall. No one sing dancehall like di great”.
The second track was modified as Popcaan, who happened to be driving past the event, jumped on the set to pay his tribute thanking Jah B as he “set the pace for we.”
Popcaan then took center stage as he expertly mixed his track Family with the beat. Zamunda also jumped in, after being prompted by Popcaan, and he delivered a stirring performance of Jah Love Surround Me.
Another well-known musician Ibo Cooper also paid tribute. “He charted new territory in music and left a legacy for our nation and the world. He capably played the supporting role when necessary but when his time came he played his leading role with equal capability,” he said. He added that he hoped that Wailer’s legacy would be preserved and celebrated.
Throughout the presentation, several of his children described what it was like to live with him and how much they were inspired to be better because of his sacrifices. Wailer, whose real name was Neville Livingston, was the father to 13 children, 12 of them daughters. Some of them shared powerful anecdotes as his only son Asadenaki Wailer performed some of his tracks in the background.
Following the heartwarming tributes, Tony Rebel also graced the stage to sing Wailer’s popular track, Crucial. He tailored the track to reflect on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and urged those listening to take the situation seriously and even called on them to consider taking the vaccine.
Asadenaki spoke to the Jamaica Observer following the event about the need to protect and promote father’s legacy.
“As I got older and more involved in the business, I saw the impact that his music had on the lives of people. His determination to own and preserve his image and works made me pledge to do the same with my own works and his legacy,” he said.
Sadly, Wailer was never able to reunite with his beloved Jean Watt, affectionately known as Sister Jean who went missing on May 23. They shared a relationship of 50 years. The family is still holding out hope that she will be found.
Watch the full Rootsman Skankin below.