Twenty years. That’s how long Dominica waited to see Capleton on one of its stages again, and judging by the crowd at Windsor Park Sports Stadium last Friday, nobody had forgotten a single lyric.
The Fireman closed the gap at the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) in Roseau, playing to a capacity crowd that was already warmed up before he walked out. Fans sang along line for line as he worked through a run of his best known songs.
He didn’t lean only on the catalogue either. Capleton used the set to introduce new material, including Heights of Fire, giving the audience a taste of where he’s heading after more than 30 years in the business.
His own read on the night was simple. He described it as energetic and very interactive, and said the happiness of the crowd was what stuck with him.
“I enjoyed it so much because I could see that the people were very happy. I love Dominica because it reminds me so much of Jamaica. I see ackee there, June plum and bumpy banana,” he said.
He also had a fitting observation about the island itself. “I’m also impressed with all the development I saw there.
Plus, people may not realise that it’s literally a fiery ground with several volcanoes on the island, so as a fireman, I love that.”
So why did it take two decades? According to Capleton, there was no falling out, just a calendar that never lined up when Dominican organisers came calling.
“Whenever they tried to get me in Dominica, I was unavailable at times with other assignments and performances on the dates they wanted,” he explained. He was quick to add that the island’s fans are “some of my biggest and most loyal fans,” and that it has always been “nothing but love, respect and support.”
For some fans, that explanation will land easily given how busy he has stayed. Others who spent twenty years watching him play elsewhere may simply be glad the wait is over, reasons aside.
The setting made sense for a long overdue return. The WCMF is Dominica’s premier music event, running over three nights on the last weekend of October to coincide with the country’s independence season.
The lineup spans bouyon, cadence lypso, zouk, reggae, dancehall, soca and Afrobeats, with local, regional and international acts.
Fringe events fill the two weeks before and the week after, many focused on Dominica’s independence and cultural history.
Capleton, the artiste behind Slew Dem, is still recognised as one of the hardest working men in dancehall, and his schedule isn’t slowing down. Next up is the Welcome to Jamrock cruise.
He also has a new children’s empowerment song with Luciano waiting to drop, executive produced by Contractor Music.
No release date has been announced yet, but fans in Roseau now have a fresh reason to hope it won’t be another twenty years before he’s back.
