Mandela And Our Music - Former South African President A Major Figure In Jamaican Lyrics

Nelson MandelaOn Sunday, July 21, 1991, there was a physically small advisory in the entertainment section of The Sunday Gleaner which made a tremendous impact on the singers and players of instruments. 
Under the headline 'Calling artistes for Mandela tribute', it read: "Artistes wishing to perform at the cultural tribute to Nelson and Winnie Mandela on Wednesday, July 24, must register at the offices of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, 3 - 5 Phoenix Avenue, on Monday, July 22, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m."
A huge response was clearly anticipated - and with good reason. South Africa's apartheid system, in general, and the freedom of Nelson Mandela in particular, were central topics for Jamaican popular music. Among the better-known songs are Bob Marley and the Wailers' War, an adaptation of Haile Selassie's 1963 speech to the United Nations General Assembly.
War first appeared on the 1976 Rastaman Vibration album and, in performance, was fused with No More Trouble as it appears on the 1978 Babylon By Bus album. READ More...

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