BY KEDIESHA PERRY Observer writer—
Big Youth
VETERAN toaster Manley “Big Youth” Buchanan is one of several acts slated to take the stage at the return of ‘Stars R Us’ at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew on November 26.
According to him, he’s planning to deliver a stellar performance.
“The preparation is always being ready, enuh. I’m good ’cause a long time the people don’t see mi,” the 73-year-old told the Jamaica Observer.
“Extra, extra, extra niceness. Mi ripe, enuh. Mi master mi craft an’ get professional… Jah give mi an energy weh dem [the patrons] ah guh get struck nice — like what the foreigners get,” he continued.
Big Youth
In addition to Big Youth, who has been part of the line-up for the concert on several occasions, other acts include Leroy Sibbles, Ken Boothe, George Nooks, Johnny Clarke, Derrick Morgan, Gem Myers, Robert Sergeant, Patrick Badoo, and Wesrok.
Conceptualized by Marvin “Horseman” Pitterson in 2000, the vintage show was last held two years ago at the same venue.
In the meantime, Big Youth says he is happy with the impact he’s made in reggae.
“Of course mi happy! Dem nuh give me mi credit; a mi first seh natty dread,” he exclaimed.
Big Youth got his break in the 1970s with S-90 Skank. He signed to Virgin Records’ Frontline label in 1977, his first release on the label being the Isaiah First Prophet of Old album, and he also appeared in the film Rockers.
His other songs include Hit the Road Jack, Every Nigger Is a Star, Natty Dread She Want, Green Bay Killing, Cool Breeze, and Lightning Flash.
He has been recognized on multiple occasions for his career contributions, including the Red Stripe Stand Up Award in 2020, a US Congressional Honors Award by the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music (CPR) at the Reggae Cultural Salute in 2010; and a Pinnacle Award for Excellence, also issued by CPR, in Brooklyn, New York.
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