‘More fyah!’ - Capleton ready for the UK after 10-year absence

Rastafarian reggae singer Capleton is definitely looking forward to reuniting with his fans in the United Kingdom (UK) when he performs there next year for the first time since 2013.

While he has no plans to burn down London Bridge, the Fireman will certainly ignite England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with chants of "more fyah!"

Capleton, who just completed an extensive tour of various countries in Europe - minus the UK for which the visa was just granted - made headlines last month when it was revealed that the UK had finally given him the greenlight. The Free People Entertainment team of Cabel Stephenson and Tameka Reynolds was instrumental in securing the UK permits for Capleton, who, like some other creatives, was being scrutinsed for supposedly discriminatory infraction.

Stephenson said that he "approached it with an open mind and we focused on Capleton's ability as an artiste, a humanitarian and a great human being. There was an objection for obvious reasons but we're past those obstacles, he's evolved beyond certain perceptions".

Free People Entertainment and Mediacom organised Capleton's just-completed European tour which had dates in France, The Netherlands, Italy and the Slovakian capital Bratislava.

An upbeat Capleton told THE STAR that he was grateful and humbled at the opportunity to "keep the fire burning" and briefly outline his plans.

"I'm booked for a show next year in the UK. I might go in December to do some promotion on radio etc, for a few days, but I'm not sure yet. After City Splash, I will then plan a Capleton UK tour but only with a mainstream tour company. My UK fans really love me and are ready for my return," Capleton said.

On the local scene, he spoke about an upcoming event for Negril this weekend, which he is also looking forward to.

"It's been a while since they have seen me and Negril is one of my favourite showgrounds. I have been contacted by a lot of promoters but nothing materialised and then the pandemic come ... but now is the right time. Fyah in da Ville... straight," the Fireman declared with a laugh.

But he went into serious mode when asked about the state of the music and its ability to dominate the overseas markets.

"I'm not comfortable with the state of the music, and so too are a lot of other people. We have to be careful about what we are highlighting and glorifying and what we are promoting and sending out there. People know us for our authentic reggae music and authentic dancehall, and we need to bring back the authenticity and give the people what they're looking for," he said.

"For me, the state right now is not commendable. But we have the talent, the creativity and the ability to do better, so we just have to do better and the time is now. We cannot be a traitor and a sell out to our own self and our own music and our heritage and our culture. At the end of the day, it is a collective situation and each of us have to play our own part and keep he fire burning. More fyah!" Capleton proclaimed.