Capleton Returns With ‘A St. Mary Mi Come From’ In 2024, After Five Year Break

Dancehall-Reggae star Capleton, the conceptualizer of the popular charity show ‘A St. Mary Mi Come From,’ has revealed that the event will be back on the entertainment calendar in 2024 after a five year hiatus.

The event will be held at the Gray’s Inn Sports Complex in Annotto Bay, St. Mary, on August 5.

Capleton, an advocate for charity, especially the financial and spiritual upliftment of residents of impoverished communities, stressed the importance of the show.

“It is very important, because giving and sharing is the act of God and I am a humanitarian. I love to give back to schools and hospitals, reform centres and community centres. I keep back-to-school treats in St. Mary, even in Kingston,” the Raggy Road singer said.

The annual show, A St. Mary Mi Come From, is Capleton’s way of giving back to the parish of his birth. Its last staging was in 2018 and the event was first held in 2000. The show has contributed to the development of a substantial number of young and upcoming artists who are always excited to showcase their talents to the communities of St. Mary.

Proceeds from the show go to selected charitable projects across the island, especially in St. Mary.

For his tireless advocacy on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised, Capleton was awarded the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award from International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). Established in 1982, IRAWMA acknowledges the accomplishments and contributions of reggae and world music artistes, songwriters, performers, and promoters.

“The need is great and so are the opportunities to make a difference. We as a people must not lose faith in humanity because that is our greatest resource. I strive to make a difference because I would rather light a candle than curse the darkness,” he said.

Capleton has contributed tens of millions of dollars to cultural, educational and social programmes across the island.

“I am not only a humanitarian, I am an eternal optimist, believing in the inner goodness of people. Optimism doesn’t mean that you are blind to the reality of the situation, but that you choose to see the positive side of all things because I pay attention to signals, waves, frequencies and vibrations. I believe in the power of the black race. Never, ever be a traitor to your heritage, culture, philosophy, or your curriculum, and that is the principal reason that St. Mary Mi Come From must return to the entertainment scene, the people need it,” he stressed.

Capleton, whose given name is Clifton Bailey, rose to fame in the late 1980s and remains one of the most enduring artists of his generation. His album Prophecy, released by Def Jam, peaked at #65 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in 1995. He scored seminal dancehall hits such as Tour, which peaked at #57 on the Hot 100 Chart, Wings of The Morning which soared to #79 and Heathen Rage, which was #79 on the R&B Hip Hop Songs Chart.

He has enjoyed other successes during his career with Grammy-nominated albums and worldwide tours. He has had several local hits like Bombo Red, Lotion Man, Almshouse, More Fire, and Jah Jah City.

The “Fireman” was recently featured in DJ Khaled’s 2023 Grammy-nominated album God Did on the track These Streets Know My Name with Skillibeng, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, and Buju Banton.

He was also featured on the album Khaled Khaled, on the track Where You Come From, along with Buju Banton, Barrington Levy, and Bounty Killer.

He has experienced a major resurgence in his career in recent months and will tour the UK for the first time in 13 years this year beginning with his upcoming performance at the City Splash concert on May 27, 2024.