Fiery Capleton burns COVID as Reggae Sunsplash returns

The Fire Man, Capleton, set the Reggae Sunsplash stage ablaze on Friday night, buring a fire on the rampaging COVID-19 and other diseases.

"Tell COVID we nuh waah si him right now," Capleton told viewers in cyberspace as he urged them to participate in his performance with energetic waves.

COVID-19 has claimed some 256 lives in Jamaica as of Saturday and infected well over 10,000 people. Across the globe, more than 1,460,600 people have died from the disease caused by the novel coronavius, which has caused significant economic fall-out due to lockdown and physical distancing protocols implemented by governments.

"A over 30 years me a tell unno dem supme yah," the fireman said as he set the stage for burning crimes such as incest and rape as well as diseases such as COVID, SARS, AIDS and Ebola. "Medical oppression get bun ... Covid fi get a bag a fire!"

First since 2006

Reggae Sunsplash, which was returning to the entertainment scene for the first since 2006, was staged as a virtual show over two nights - Friday and Saturday - due to the pandemic but the mode did prevent the entertainers from serving up some sizzling performances.

Night one featured acts such as Richie Spice, Tanya Stephens and Capleton while Saturday night saw performances from entertainers like Jesse Royal, Agent Sasco, Romain Virgo, Masicka and Dexta Daps.

"I think it was a great show," executive producer Tyrone Wilson said. "Even though I was a part of the production, I am still blown away by the effort everyone put into this event, particularly the artistes. They delivered top-notch performances this past weekend, and I think they really did justice to the Reggae Sunsplash brand," he said.

The rampaging coronavirus pandemic did not escape the attention of Agent Sasco, who said his "heart goes out" to persons affected by COVID-19, adding that "our prayers are with them".

"Right about now we caah gather together because yuh have a thing name social distancing," he said about the pandemic. But in true Sasco style he could not resist connecting the scenario to his music, immediately spitting out lyrics from his Be Careful single. Them seh when you a cross road watch out fi vehicle; Well inna life yuh affi watch out fi people; Tell dem seh watch out fi wolf inna sheep clothing; But mi a tell yuh seh watch out fi di sheep too worst than the wolf dem nuff a dem a evil.

Romain Virgo , who delivered a soulful set , said "To be a part of the return of something so great it is really and truly a honour and a blessing," Virgo said.

Tanya Stephens described herself as a hopeless romantic as she prepared to sing her hit single, It's a Pity.

"I am a true believer in love, no matter how many heartbreak songs I sing. I get up and I go make another heartbreak song because that's what I do," she said.

She performed several favourites, including These Streets, What's Your Story, Can't Breathe, Can't Touch Me No More, Good Ride and Bum Wuk.