A letter to Chronixx
After many months of expectation, the famed Jamaican Reggae artiste Chronnixx was in Ethiopia where he performed to the great satisfaction of his enthusiastic fans. But he disappointed some fans who had hoped he would spare some time to personally meet them.
Greetings Brother Chronixx,
As an Ethiopian reggae lover, and a sister who practices some of the Rasta livity, your concert in Addis really meant a lot to me. It was in the beginning of 2016 that my king-man introduced me to your music. Since then my playlist is full of your songs…I even posted about you on Facebook. I imagined myself bringing you to Addis and fantasized the crowd getting crazy…uplifted…over your music. The only reason I could not do it is because I came across your music only after I had returned my license of event organizing to the government. I was even contemplating reopening my business license just for sake of bringing a conscious singer like you.
To my surprise, a couple of months later, I was so excited to hear that EML Events is organizing your tour to Ethiopia and Africa. I think the fact that everybody was listening to your music and the energy of our wish to see you performing hear made your appearance here. Words and sounds have power! And even the sounds that come out of those speakers in every corner made voice for themselves and put their energy out there for you to be here. At least, I think like that. J.
I have been anxiously awaiting your arrival in Addis Ababa. For the past 6 weeks I had a ‘Chronixx-fever’, until it was over last Sunday night. J
It is true that I was excited because “live Chronixx” will quench my thirst to see you performing. But also I am overwhelmed because I thought you will be excited to be in Africa, especially in Ethiopia. Every reggae singer is an ambassador of Ethiopia, if real a conscious reggae singer like you. I believed that you would definitely have a session to meet your fans after your show (for ordinary people like me) on a one on one basis, at least for a couple of a dozen of people. I also took it for granted that you would undoubtedly be interested to see your repatriated brothers, sisters, elders, children in Shashemene most of whom will not be able to see your show in Addis due to economic reasons. However they were pretty sure that you would visit the pioneers who answered Emperor Haile Selassie I’s call to come to their Motherland.
Sunday evening preparation / expectation for June 19 Chronixx Live Concert
I showered…got dressed, meditated…..opened my mind, heart…so I would be fully ready to be possessed by your music and express myself to the fullness. Just like a believer is ready for the teachings of the preacher. My spirit was so hungry for conscious words integrated with reggae music. Chronixx.
The crowd had a great energy. It was so contagious that when one screamed the others followed. My brother, you were anointed and you delivered!!!….and your fans were possessed madly. You killed it!!! Everybody felt the love,…the energy… didn’t you?!
My disappointment:
I have listened to almost all your music, watched your clips… interviews, documentaries, and they all speak one language. You are the voice of the oppressed! You are awakener (just created that wordJ). You are the voice for freedom, consciousness, you bring the life of the ghetto up front, you call on Ethiopia, just like most of reggae singers.
However, to my surprise, you haven’t given any time to your fans. You were like any other celebrity (don’t get me wrong. You are a celebrity!) What I mean is that as soon as you finished your concert you straight went to your Limo…and even before the show, people at the backstage who wanted to meet you were heavily abused and bullied by the security guards and you were not doing anything…I meant we have seen Sizzla, Luciano, Julian Marley, K’anaan (a conscious hip-hop singer), etc. They all made sure they met their fans. They made sure that they gave enough time to talk to their fans one by one. Not all but at least a few. You know, inspiration also comes from the people you meet in different places. For me it looked like you were fully under control of your white manager…I mean, no offence. I am not a racist, but I think a black (conscious) manager would have understood the situation and encouraged you to show love to the people. I mean, just like what your music preaches. After all, these are the people who make you Rich!... I mean they pay to come to your show…and you know reggae music is not for rich people…it is for the ghetto, poor, ‘ordinary’, oppressed, and all conscious people. One point, though, your band members took time to talk to some of the fans. So give it up for Zinc Fence Redemption band!
I have seen your pictures on Facebook in the ghetto at Piazza. It is true that one should not get carried away by the mainstream media… However I wish that you would have seen this from a different angle as your purpose as a black conscious person should be different. I elaborate.
Africa was/is/will be the victim of misrepresentation in the western media, being associated with war, poverty, disease, migration, corrupted elections, wild animals,…what else?...anything negative! Therefore what would have been good was for you to show the ‘Untelevised Africa’, such as:-, Africa is the origin of the human race; civilization; great hospitality; full of culture; tolerance (in spite of so many differences); center of touristic attraction; the good achievements of the country; Ethiopia consists of the largest repatriated Rasta community, etc. That would have balanced your picture in the ghetto at Piazza !!!
Brother Chronixx, you might agree or disagree with my view. However, at least you will know what some people feel and either you ignore or take it and integrate it in your forthcoming tours.
Or perhaps your song, “They don’t know’ might metaphorically explain my perplexity.
Let Mama Earth bless you to the fullest!!!
Love and Light!!!
Your fan from Ethiopia,
Mahlet
* Ms. Mahlet Ayele Beyecha holds an MA in Middle East Studies and is an independent Pan-African researcher.