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Tony Rebel

Entertainment Reporter
Red Fox Hotel in Greendale is expected to host Jamaican reggae superstar Tony Rebel’s welcome party tonight where he will share the stage with Mic Inity and his Red Radicals Band.Rebel (pictured), who is coming to Zimbabwe for the third edition of Shoko Festival, will be more than welcome when he performs at Red Fox Hotel, the home of reggae music.

After the welcome party, Rebel will headline a concert slated for Water Whirld tomorrow as part of the six-day Shoko Festival. Tony Rebel is known for his roots-oriented dancehall style awash with social commentary and he is in the same league with the long line of Jamaican Fire reggae artistes such as Luciano, Beres Hammond and Garnett Silk.

This style of reggae dancehall has inspired the current crop of new wave reggae artistes. With a career spanning over a decade he has over 10 albums to his discography and is a reggae legend.

He is the host of the Jamaican annual reggae extravaganza Rebel Salute, a two- day cultural showcase which has attracted new age reggae artistes such as Movado, I-Octane Stephen and Damien Marley.

Rebel Salute aims to reclaim the moral high ground once occupied by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh by playing some of the cultural music that is no longer being played on Jamaican radio stations.

Born Patrick Barrett on January 15, 1962, Rebel caught public attention in 1984 and 1985 winning the premier DJ competition in Manchester by using a gritty yet melodic style that bridged the gap between reggae and dancehall –  a style that would eventually become known to the world as sing-jaying.

However, his official sojourn into the music business didn’t come until 1991 and one smash hit later with “Fresh Vegetable” on the Penthouse Label.

Drawing on his formative experiences in the verdant hills of Manchester, Jamaica, where many of his age turned to the soil, a young Papa Tony, as he was then known; realised just how much time and attention it would take before his musical aspirations would bear fruit or in the Rebel’s  case- vegetables.

In 1988 he and then fellow aspiring artiste; the late Garnet Silk, took a taxi to Kingston with the intention of reaping all of the hard work they intended to sow. After two years of emoting songs such as “Sweet Jamaica”, “Nazarite Vow” and “Armour”.

The rebel began his rise – when Colombia Records came to harvest his talent. Noting his enigmatic and creative writing and delivery, Tony was prolific during his years at Colombia: double featuring on the Grammy nominated “Stir-It-Up” compilation, achieving certified Gold Status with the “Cool Running’s” soundtrack.

1991 saw Tony team up with Motown artiste Queen Latifa on their Billboard busting single “Weekend Love”. His album “Vibes of the Times” shot straight to number one  on the CMJ charts.

Tony rebel is on his way to becoming a reggae mogul. Not just a musician, but also as a producer, and executive producer with his Flame Productions studio and label.

He has also gained success with his protégé Queen Ifrica whose “Montego Bay” album produced by The Rebel has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. Together along with the Flames Crew they have formed a formidable touring package, know for spirited and energetic live performances.

In addition to all his other endeavours Tony Rebel is at the helm of what was initially his birthday celebration known today as Rebel Salute. This annual reggae pilgrimage will showcase its 20th instalment next year and is the Caribbean’s largest lifestyle event promoting authentic Jamaican artistic expressions and the cleaner side of our indigenous music.

Its founding principles of no meat, no alcohol and no profanities are still the corner stone that sets Rebel Salute apart and is consistent with Tony Rebel’s healthy living mantra. Rebel Salute is the embodiment of practice what you preach and is an ode to the life principles Tony Rebel has chosen on and off the stage, in the board room or as an ordinary citizen.

Though reluctant to mention his organisations charitable contributions it is widely know that a great many children are beneficiaries of back to school supplies, school fees, lunch programmes, equipments as well as contributing to a child life saving open heart surgery. When pressed he responded “give in secrecy and your rewards will come openly”.

Tony Rebel’s contributions within international and local music circles have not gone unnoticed – lauded today as a leader in Jamaica’s “cultural revolution” Patrick Barrett was awarded the Order of Distinction from the Government of Jamaica in 2002. His social consciousness has led him to venture into areas of volunteerism honouring a complete schedule of; motivational speaking, charity performances and work on various social agenda committees.

His selection by Unicef – as chair for the “Artistes Against Aids” campaign, seemed a natural step in his humanitarian efforts. Rebel’s efforts were in collaboration with Unicef Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte to raise awareness about HIV/Aids and its devastating impact on the world in particular the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The project led to the completion of a CD entitled “Protect Prepare” co produced by Rebel and was used as a tool to “edutain” about the deadly virus. His prayer “Peace, Love and Unity” was adopted as the theme music for Jamaican general elections in 1997, while “Jah by my Side” – a monster success re-recorded in French and Spanish – was the official theme music for the Reggae Boyz run to the World Cup at France 98.

However, it was the United Nations International search for a theme song that earned the Rebel the personal commendations of then SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan. The “Not all About the Money” global song search selected Tony Rebel’s music to launch the international year of the volunteer and served as its theme song in 2001.

Tony Rebel the progenitor of the sing jay style remains contemporary without sacrificing class.  Today the Rebel sings for the acceptance of personal responsibility – self-realisation and determination. His themes: The pursuit of self-awareness and the knowledge that the trials of life are there to be conquered.