Jah Cure inquires on bond notes
By Vasco Chaya
Jamaican music star Jah Cure, who is set to make a maiden performance in Zimbabwe on December 16 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), has sought clarification on the recently-introduced bond notes.
The internationally-acclaimed artiste, who is widely regarded as King of Lovers Rock and Roots Reggae, inquired about the surrogate currency in a WhatsApp exchange with one of the organisers.
“What is a bond note,” Jah Cure asked, to which the concert organiser replied: “Some form of currency introduced to ease the cash crisis.”
In reply the celebrated Jamaican star just said “Oh!”
Jah Cure’s question on bond notes is not surprising given the ongoing robust debate on the currency in Zimbabwe and in the Diaspora.
Meanwhile — 2 Kings Entertainment — the promoters of Jah Cure’s first tour of Zimbabwe have revealed that the supporting acts for the Jamaican star’s concert will only be released just before December 16.
“For now, supporting acts will be a surprise package,” 2 Kings Entertainment publicist Dee Nosh told the Daily News.
For the past five years, various music promoters have attempted in vain to bring Jah Cure to Zimbabwe.
The Lovers Rock and Roots Reggae star was initially scheduled to perform at the Glamis Arena in April in a gig dubbed “Together As One” organised by the Barbara “Mai Red Rose” Chikosi-led Red Rose Entertainment but he was replaced at the eleventh hour by fellow Jamaican star Chris Martin.
The Jamaican star’s first big song was the 1997 single King in His Jungle which featured Sizzla and was produced by Beres Hammond who went on to become his mentor.
In 1998, he was stopped and arrested late one night in Montego Bay and charged with four crimes, all of which he vehemently denies to this day.
After a non-jury trial, Jah Cure was given a 15-year sentence but the Jamaican star refused to be held back by the incarceration; he released several singles from jail. The songs Jamaica and Longing For were both local and global successes.
Cure’s first album, Free Jah’s Cure, was recorded and released in 2001.
On this project, Cure conveys the message that his incarceration was Jah’s way of teaching him humility, kindness, forgiveness and love for mankind.
Jah Cure’s second album, Ghetto Life, which featured the acclaimed single Divide and Rule, released in 2003, was produced by Beres Hammond who also oversaw his other albums which include Freedom Blues, True Reflection…A New Beginning, The Universal Cure, World Cry and The Cure.
His latest album, The Cure, dominated the billboard reggae charts for a phenomenal 36 weeks and was nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Interestingly, the award went to Morgan Heritage who performed in Zimbabwe for the first time on October 8. Daily News
