Third World honored with Keys from mayor
By Yasmine Peru – Sunday Gleaner Writer—
It was a grand celebration of everything reggae – the music, Reggae Month, Bob Marley, Bunny Rugs, Dennis Brown – in the City of Hollywood in Florida last Sunday. Reggae band Third World was even presented with the Key to the City, prompting Jamaica’s Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair, to declare that it was “a great look for reggae music, Reggae Month and Brand Jamaica”.
The multiaward-winning reggae band headlined a free concert at the Hollywood Arts Park, billed as ‘A Night of Reggae Music Under the Stars’ in which they proudly “honoured the legacy of our brothers Bob Marley and Bunny Rugs”. In the weeks leading up to the event, the organisers, led by Hollywood’s mayor, Josh Levy, with support from the Jamaican Consulate and Third World, were in full promotion mode.
“Now That We Found Love at @hollywoodartspark. Come celebrate the legendary lives of Bunny Rugs (Third World Band) and Bob Marley on their birthdays with THIRD WORLD for a free concert on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022! We outside – lots of room for social distancing – come on out and jam with us. And a big salute to Tanto Irie of HOT 105 for his 21 years in the business. Don’t forget it’s a free concert. Powered by the good people over at the Rhythm Foundation … Come Jam with us,” the band urged on social media.
From all indications, it was a win-win for all concerned.
GREAT LOOK FOR REGGAE
“It was awesome,” Consul General Mair said. “The concert was actually put on by the mayor of the City of Hollywood, Josh Levy. The mayor is really into reggae music. Third World did a tribute to Dennis Brown, whose birthday was February 1. Third World really connected. When they did the Bob Marley songs, people were singing word-for-word. It was a great look for reggae music, Reggae Month, and Brand Jamaica.”
The reggae-loving mayor had nothing but kudos for Third World.
“The spirit of Third World’s music is timeless. Over 5,000 people of all ages and walks of life came together at our Arts Park and witnessed an amazing performance and on a special day. Jamaican reggae is beloved all around the world, and I was personally honoured to present the band with the Key to our City as a symbol that Third World is forever an esteemed and trusted friend of the City of Hollywood, Florida,” Mayor Josh Levy told The Sunday Gleaner.
And his colleague, Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes, Hazelle P. Rogers, who was born in Jamaica, stated, “It was my pleasure to join my colleague Mayor Josh Levy as we embrace and celebrate the fusion of Black History Month and Reggae Month in our growing diverse community. Congratulations to Tanto Irie for his contribution; he is a true reggae ambassador.”
Patrons were also gushing with pride and delight. “96 degrees … it was more like 996 degrees,” Charles ‘Mark Phi’ Smart, executive producer, Jamaica Heroes Modernized project, said. “Third World, or should I say ‘the Reggae Ambassadors’, effortlessly showed range that would make them the ambassador for any genre. Rightful for the city of Hollywood to give them the Key to the City and Jamaica’s Consulate, Miami, to bestow them with a lifetime achievement award. Their performance of Time to Say Goodbye was one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen. “
Aiesha Barrett, daughter of Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, legendary musician and Bob Marley’s bassist, sang Third World praises.
“Third World gave the city of Hollywood an outstanding performance, a heartfelt tribute to our beloved legends and reggae icons Bob Marley, Bunny Rugs, and Dennis Brown. The concert was filled with love and great energy from the crowd. Third World’s performance featured many other artistes who showed up to pay their respects, including Jr Jazz from The Wailers. We celebrated our musical heroes who taught us how to spread messages of love, unity, and peace through music. It was an honorable, historic moment and one I’ll never forget. It was all love from beginning to end. Spectacular show!” Barrett said.
Reggae singer VC shared: “I have never been more proud of Jamaica, Jamaican music, and culture as I was Sunday night in Hollywood Park. Third World completely mesmerized the capacity, multiethnic crowd with pure musical excellence, and it was an honor to play a small role in bringing the absolute best of reggae music to Hollywood. I would like to think Bunny, Dennis, and Bob were looking down smiling as we honored them.”
Richard Blackwood, host of Sunday Brunch, declared that the celebration in South Florida could not be outdone and called it ‘Marley Day’ in Florida.. “[It was] capped by a vintage Marley Tribute from the great Third World band in the City of Hollywood. Jamaica’s Miami Consul General Oliver Mair represented as he appeared on Yaawd Media’s Sunday Scoops program earlier that afternoon and again on Jamaicans.com’s Bar Talk program, waxing eloquently on the Gong’s contribution to Jamaica and his continued relevance more than 40 years since his passing. As he stated on Sunday Brunch, ‘Bob is one a wi .. always will be.’ This line he re-emphasized to a massive but mixed audience at Hollywood Arts Park as Third World capped a great day of remembrance to the Gong.
Founding member of Third World, Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, was overwhelmed. “I want to big up everyone that made the event last Sunday an absolutely amazing evening and to everyone that came out to jam with us and share this music from Jamaica we call reggae. Celebrating the legacy of my brothers, Bunny Rugs, Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, was special. It was an honor to receive the Key to the City of Hollywood from Mayor Josh Levy and to be recognized with a lifetime achievement award by Consul General Oliver Mair. It was an incredible night for all of us and super exciting to be back on stage in front of our South Florida friends. Looking from the stage at the massive audience, it was a reminder that good reggae music has no expiration date and transcends [cultural] barriers. Third World celebrates 50 next year, we will continue to put our best foot forward to share the love and positive message of our music from Jamaica to the world as your Reggae Ambassadors,” Coore told The Sunday Gleaner.
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