Georgie releases new reggae song of hope

He is best known in the kaiso arena but his first release for the year is actually a reggae song that is deeply spiritual.

Veteran calypsonian and promoter Leroy Straker, who has been singing since 1984, has a new song called Changed which carries with it an inspiring message.

Georgie hopes the song, which he penned, would speak to someone who maybe going through a trying period, especially during this ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.

“I hope this new reggae song can be an eye opener and a game changer to some soul that is searching for peace and contentment and a new life”, he told Barbados TODAY.

The entertainer has become very concerned about the impact that the deadly pandemic is having on the average Bajan.

“Pressure was put on households because of the curfews and loss of jobs at all levels. The island was thrown into lockdown with curfews and is here again. This has affected everyone.

“From about March 2020 our island was struck with COVID-19; the coronavirus that dealt a serious blow to almost every country on the globe. The year was projected to bring economic growth to the island, in fact the first two months saw tourists arrivals surge but by March the island went into serious slump.”

He added: “During this period which lasted the entire year the island went on pause to correct the onslaught of the coronavirus. Businesses large and small felt the impact as closures to schools, regional and international travel took effect.”

The song is on YouTube under the name Changed Gospel Reggae.  Georgie said the song which took him about 45 minutes to write, has just started to get some traction on that social media channel but he will wait to see the general reception to the song.

Georgie, whose name has been synonymous with performing in tents such as Romans in 1984, Soca Explosion in 1985, Alien Forces in 1986 and Contenders in 1993, had recorded music every year between 1986 and 1993. Since then he has written articles and been on radio programmes dealing with the kaiso artform.

The song was recorded at Koliajah Studio in Roebuck Street, but it was not a quick do in the studio for Georgie this time as he was venturing into unfamiliar territory. It was his first time doing reggae.

“Since I was attempting the reggae genre for the first time my engineer, a youngster called Terrence Griffith, sat with me and pointed areas in the song which I would need to stress on more emphatically since I have come from a calypso genre throughout my career.”

Georgie also has an accompanying music video to his song. “The video was conceptualised by myself and my videographer, Life. In the video we try to implore the young men in society to “cut de crap” and stay away from crime and violence with the knife and the gun.”

The singer said there were many topics that came to mind as he was at home riding out the COVID-19 curfew period.

“I had lots of time on hand to sit and write several poems and songs pertaining to the curfew and other topics.

“Lots of criminal activities were reported to law enforcements officers so I decided to pen this particular song to indicate to the masses that amidst the crime and violence we can still find hope.”

Georgie wants those going through challenging times and those who feel tempted to turn to a life of crime to keep their Bible close and read it.

“We can find hope in reaching out to be a good citizen by helping the less fortunate, by giving to charities, helping our neighbours and by engaging in meaningful activities to reduce the crimes.

To walk away from bad company which can be so influential to young minds, I admonish persons in the song to look to Christ and to read the Bible which is a book of inspiration and hope.”

Like many others, Georgie is uncertain if there will be a Crop Over Festival for 2021. However, that won’t stop him from releasing other music as he did last year.

“I am hoping to record new music for the festival anyhow like I did last year. I think there are festival enthusiasts who still look forward to new music and their thirst should be quenched. But we need bold innovative and futuristic artistes to fill that void.

He continued: “Most new releases are done locally prior to the Crop Over Festival. Since there was no festival last year due to the coronavirus there was a depletion of new music and all indicators are pointing that the same situation will prevail for the 2021 Crop Over season.”

Georgie thanked all front line workers for going beyond to ensure we continue to battle the deadly disease.“COVID-19 is still with us and I want to compliment all the healthcare workers who have gone beyond the call of duty to help contain this virus.

I want to give praise to the Mia Mottley-led administration, the COVID implementation Unit, supermarket workers, gas station attendants, hotel workers, Sanitation Service Authority workers, trade unions, schools and teachers, transport Board workers, PSV workers and taxis operators, and the entire nation for obeying the protocols and keeping us safe” the veteran artiste said. (IMC)

To listen to the new single clink the YouTube link below: