WITH Rita Marley proudly sitting in the front row of the audience, Bob Marley’s life was celebrated with some powerful performances at the Emancipation Park, New Kingston on Sunday evening.

Cocoa Tea, I-Octane and Judy Mowatt gave the large crowd that turned out to the free show — organised by the Bob Marley Foundation and telecoms provider Digicel — a musical treat.

Cocoa Tea was a master entertainer.

The crowd’s energy level began to rise when self-proclaimed “Short man from Clarendon” Cocoa Tea, took the stage.

Sauntering on stage chanting: “I hear the words of the Rastaman say… Babylon, you throne gone down” much to the excitement of the audience, he then segued into a Bob Marley’s classic Three Little Birds.

Cocoa Tea was a master entertainer and his audience loved every moment of it. He would tease the crowd by starting off with a line of some of his popular songs, and on receiving screams of recognition, he would then abandon it for either one of Marley standards or a popular love song such as Air Supply’s Here I Am and Diana Ross’s Missing You.

When he made his exit, the protests were loud and his path was even blocked at one end forcing him back on stage.

“I don’t want to overstay my welcome,” he sang, much to the delight of his fans.

After another song, he made way for another great performance from Digicel Brand ambassador I-Octane.

The announcement of him being the next artist on stage was greeted by loud cheers from his many fans, who were on hand. I-Octane did not have to do much to keep them fired up as he went through his paces with popular songs such as Burn Dem Bridges, Lose A Friend, Study Yuh Friend Dem and Think A Little Time.

Judy Mowatt gave a fiery performance and her former I-Three member Rita Marley enjoyed every minute of it. Marley rocked away and clapped throughout her entire performance.

“Sister Rita, I didn’t know you were in Jamaica,” said Mowatt, before continuing to sing Bob Marley’s classic Thank You Lord.

Mowatt used the opportunity to share her faith. She said with all the technological advancement world was experiencing, without love it will make no difference, before sing Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen.

Other winning performances for the evening came from Freddie McGregor, Ky-Mani Marley, Protoje, Jermaine Edwards, Alaine and Delando Colley.

Shelly-Ann Curran, senior sponsorship manager at Digicel, expressed satisfaction at the huge turnout.

“This is our second partnership with the Bob Marley Foundation. Bob Marley is an icon who paved the way for others. By celebrating in this way, we feel that we can assist in keeping positive, cultural music alive,” she said.