Rasta principles inspire Agent Sasco’s songs

For Agent Sasco, it is just as Morgan Heritage sang, ' you don't haffi dread to be Rasta', as the deejay says most of his songs are inspired by the teachings of Rastafari.

He made the revelation during the launch if the Ital Food Festival on Wednesday, adding that he became familiar with the teachings while growing up on the banks of Hope River in St Andrew.

Embracing the spiritual and cultural principles of Rastafari, Agent Sasco has elevated his music to new heights, infusing it with depth, consciousness, and powerful social commentary all while showcasing extreme versatility and lyricism.

"This song ( Grateful) and a lot of the values and principles I put forward in my music come from Rasta teachings same way," he shared. "Mi used to have a brethren wah live across from me straight up a Kintyre deh so named Big Dread. Big Dread taught me a lot about Rasta principles and Rasta is admired in the community. So when things a gwaan, a Rasta man could always tell the juvenile 'Don't do that'. That has always been my experience with Rasta and being a part of this event is an honour."

The comment followed a presentation from Chef Troy Levy who expressed that as a Rastafarian, he and the community have faced discrimination, even in Jamaica where the movement originated in 1930s.

"A brethren earlier on talk 'bout the importance of Rasta in Jamaican culture. I hear him say a few times that Rasta get sidelined and pushed to the back and all these things. However, as a bald head, I can tell you that that has not been my experience with Rasta in Jamaica. Maybe a Rasta man may feel that because I don't know the energy that is directed towards them. But I can tell you, as a bald head, that there is great respect fi Rasta," Agent Sasco expressed.

The Ital Food Festival is set for July 15, with Agent Sasco and I-Wayne billed as headliners. The festival, which is organised by Michael and Felicia Cunningham, aims to exhibit all that the island and culture have to offer in ital cuisine and living. According to Agent Sasco, whose given name is Jeffery Campbell, the occasion is one that should have been a part of the entertainment calendar long before now.

"When we look at the landscape of events in Jamaica, it is rather incredible that this never deh deh already. Mi affi ask since night if a really the first one 'cause it feel like it did deh here already. But we give thanks. We are the pioneers and we are the people who can see something or an initiative worth supporting and support it. It is great to see new events being added to the calendar," he said.