There was controversy regarding performance by Burning Spear, born Winston Rodne, in Nairobi, Kenya this coming weekend. According to his itinerary, he is scheduled to tour five African countries in what has been dubbed the One People Africa Tour starting off at the Uhuru Gardens on the October 12 in the capital, Nairobi.
Initially Burning Spear Music company had announced that the Kenya show would be cancelled due to technical reasons, but I am informed that the show will now go on as planned.
From Kenya, Burning Spear is supposed to come to Harare on October 18, according to the original schedule. On October 19 and 20, he is expected to perform in South Africa’s Johannesburg and Cape Town, respectively.
From South Africa, he is scheduled to perform in Lusaka, Zambia on the October 26 and the last performance in Lilongwe, Malawi on October 26.
However, according to the tour promoter, Sound System Club Ltd in a statement last week the show in Kenya had been cancelled! The statement read: “The Burning Spear show in Kenya has been cancelled due to production issues”.
Two weeks ago, Burning Spear posted this message: “Greetings Kenya.I man Winston Rodney aka Burning Spear stands with my brothers and sisters from Kenya.I man love is unconditional. That being said I man do not want I man presence to add or make things worst. I want Kenya to be safe.This is an official announcement I man will cancel or postpone the upcoming show that was scheduled for October 12.I cannot describe how I feel at this time.We will talk soon.”
After this announcement, the public reacted angrily.
One rastaman based in Nairobi on hearing about the cancellation reacted: “He must make up his mind, man. Dem should call him a Burning Spliff not Spear from now on as a spear is sharp and straight. This is the second cancellation. I had cancelled my holiday to the Caribbean in anticipation of the Burning Spear show “.
More comments from his fans in Kenya, where he is set to perform for the first time in 17 years, expressed displeasure at his pronouncements, for various reasons, some labelling the cancellation premature as this was made in July.
“You cannot cancel a show for October this early. Reggae cannot stop and that is the fight we are on right now. See you in October,” Don Ragman stated, while Victor Obech added: “How do you cancel a show that was scheduled for October in July just because Kenyans were protesting against the government? (Which has since ended by the way)?”
“Greetings to you too our African granny father and a teacher….let’s pray everything will be okay by the grace of the highest Almighty God before October…don’t cancel we are longing for you to come and gives us so more vybz….e.g not stupid, the people of the world we are one and to this new experience…we love you Winston Rodney aka Burning Spear,” Princess Aqua said.
“This feels so sad. Too early to postpone. Kenya is a peaceful country until provoked,” another follower added.
Some made it clear that they would not accept a cancellation from the Reggae icon at such a critical time.
Another follower, Rhino K’Ogalo said that Kenya was already returning to a state of peace, and that Spear’s presence is needed to soothe the people with his music.
“We are good pple the problems are being solved come and consolidate us with raggae music that rejuvenates heart and soul..we love each other,” Lumush Yule said.
Others said that Spear ought not to be scared to travel to Kenya as the country’s nationals issues were not with each other but with a tyrannical government.
“Don’t be cowed by our audacity to handle the bull by the horns..the ruling elite is what is riling the Kenyan people , otherwise we look forward to some positive vibes African Teacher. Jah Love,” one man advised.
Another follower, Nister Verb, prophesied that Ruto would soon be ejected from office, so Burning Spear should not fret.
“Greetings African teacher. I man expressed my desire to see you performing. I man wish to confirm to you that , the ongoing protests here are expressed by kenyans who’re expressing their frustrations from the shortman in power. I man wish to assure you that the Shoŕtman in power will soon be removed and things shall go well before the planned show date. I man stand tall and logging to see you on stage soonest. Bless up,” he noted.
One fan seemingly vented his frustration at the Kenyan president, noting, “Ruto, have you seen now what you’ve caused?”
A few like Muthee, however, upbraided Burning Spear for being inconsiderate.
“This is perpetuating the trope that Africa is not safe. Cancelling an event that is months away without pausing to assess the situation for even a couple of weeks says a lot about the attitude of people outside the continent. All the same your show, your rules Mr I man ,” he said sarcastically.
“Postpone or not or even you don’t come Reggae can’t stop. It’s you who’ll stop. And what makes you think demos will continue up to October?” another added.
Burning Spear’s last appearance Kenya was in 2007 at a free concert in Nairobi, on June 3 that year. According to reports, more than 80,000 Kenyans were in attendance, some of whom had walked more than 200 kilometres to get to the venue.
The St. Ann native, who took his name from a military award given by Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of independent Kenya, came out of retirement from live shows in 2022, returning to the stage after a decade-old absence.
Burning Spear began his recording career in 1969, penning songs about Marcus Garvey and the repatriation, and the oppression of the black race.
The six-time Grammy nominee has released more than 25 albums throughout his music career, copping the Grammy Award twice for Best Reggae Album for his 2000 release Calling Rastafari and again in 2009 for Jah Is Real.
He was also awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in 2007 for his contribution to the music industry.
Burning Spear achieved breakthrough success with his classic album, Marcus Garvey, which was released by Island Records. His other albums include Dry and Heavy (1977) and Social Living (1978). He has also had several live albums due mainly to his extensive touring over the decades.
From what I am told, the Kenyan tour will go right ahead.
The premature cancellation seems to be water under the bridge now. The technical glitches seem to have been resolved and the tour will go on as originally planned according Burning Spear Music.
Due to technical issues in Kenya, Burning Spear had decided to cancel the One People Africa Tour as his production rider is everything. Without it, there is no performance. Burning Spear takes his music very seriously. His sound is his brand. There is little time left to check out the technical riders from the sound system companies who deal with P.A. systems as Spear would not like to go in blind and perform with whatever is provided.
The Jamaican reggae maestro, Winston ‘Burning Spear’ Rodney and the Burning Band are set to perform for the first time at Glamis Arena in Harare, Zimbabwe, on October 18, 2024 as part of the “One People Africa Tour.”
Terrence "The Hotstepper" Mapurisana, radio presenter and producer of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s Classic 263 programme spoke to Burning Spear last week and he assured Zimbabweans that he will perform in the country.
I know that in Zimbabwe Devine Sounds will do a good job, but I am not sure what the rest of the technical rider involves. For instance, even small things like microphones have got to be up to scratch if they are not of the world reputable standards like Sure mikes.
In Africa, getting together professional music equipment is not easy.
Boni Mubukwani, a reputable Zambian promoter, who has been the driving force behind the late Miriam Makeba and Soul Brothers’ shows also says that the Zambia, and Zimbabwean shows will definitely take place.
“Spear is coming with his full Burning Band and a supporting act, Miriam Small from the Netherlands although getting the necessary equipment is not easy. Sponsors are also hard to come by”, Mubukwani says.
The music maestro confirmed the upcoming tour in a promotional video posted on social media.
“October 18, 2024, Zimbabwe, I man, Burning Spear and the Burning Band, will be there jamming, coming… be there,” said Rodney.
Before the reggae icon makes his way to Harare, he will first perform at the Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya.
After Nairobi, he will then proceed to Harare for the much-anticipated serious reggae jugglings on October 18, with tickets already on sale.
Burning Spear will then proceed to South Africa where he has two shows lined up, one at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on October 19, and Cape Town on October 20 at the Mhudi Wines Farm for another performance.
Local reggae lovers are in for a veritable treat as the Jamaican superstar promises a pulsating show.
We are all full of anticipation that the concerts will take place as scheduled. I understand that Burning Spear has got a brand new bass player and will need lots of time to rehearse with him during this tour. However, he has just completed a successful North American tour and another one in Europe which was co-ordinated by UK based Chanelle Leanne who manages the reggae artistes international bookings.
What will happen exactly is still a mystery. The One People Africa Tour is supposed to happen in five African countries namely, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia and Malawi but at the time of writing some promoters had still not sorted out the entourage’s work permits and immigration requirements. According to Paul, a manager in Spear’s team, “If all is well, and the tour will go ahead I will need to re-route the Burning Spear entourage flying from JFK to Johannesburg. How much it will cost is another issue.”
If the promoters get their act together, reggae lovers in Zimbabwe are in for a treat this October 18. I will be there.
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