On the heels of Bob Marley’s eightieth birthday celebrations, Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis, chairman of the Trench City Improvement Affiliation, is renewing the decision for Trench City to achieve international recognition for its wealthy cultural legacy.
Ellis, who lectures in arts administration and theatre on the famend Edna Manley Faculty of the Visible and Performing Arts, hails from Trench City. In keeping with him, historical past has outlined Trench City because the birthplace of rocksteady and reggae music, and the musical house of the legendary Bob Marley.
“Trench City has in its stomach the historical past of Jamaican arts and tradition and leisure. Bob Marley emerged as the preferred for sure however Ken Boothe, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis, Hortense Ellis, Jimmy Tucker, Junior Tucker, Bunny and Scully have been already there,” Ellis mentioned.
“Each road has a legend; the neighborhood is particular in arts and tradition and sports activities. Now we have an inventory of all of the names on every road. If we respect and honour Bob Marley, everybody ought to come collectively and assist Trench City to develop,” he added.
Ellis was amongst a bunch of native and worldwide media practitioners hosted by businessman Christopher Issa, who has partnered with the Bob Marley Basis of their celebration of Kingston as Jamaica’s cultural capital. Issa, operator of the S Lodge Kingston, and his crew hosted a luncheon in commemoration of Marley’s eightieth birthday celebrations on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
“Bob Marley has a wealthy legacy to construct on and the messages in his music nonetheless resonate immediately. He’s famend the world over for his contributions to reggae music and the emergence of different genres of music. He’s a worldwide icon, and his legacy will proceed to stay on,” Issa acknowledged.
Ellis additional recommended the Marley household for his or her contribution to the Kingston 12 neighborhood, for making it recognized worldwide, however mentioned folks ought to aspire to be taught extra concerning the historical past of all of it, including that Jamaicans and outsiders have a lot to be taught extra concerning the communities in Trench City.
Trench City is an inner-city neighborhood within the West Kingston space, positioned only a quick distance from the notorious Tivoli Gardens. Ellis mentioned Bob Marley’s life was maybe extra than simply sitting in ‘Tradition Yard’ and honing his artwork.
“He walked the streets outdoors these partitions. He stood by the road corners; he reasoned with associates from the tenement yards. There may be Bob the Legend and much more about Bob the person with a plan and a van, residing in Trench City, the neighborhood,” Ellis mentioned.
Among the media practitioners that have been hosted by the S Lodge included representatives from Essence and Blavity, Vibe, and Pause magazines, who have been invited to go to the island by the Jamaica Vacationer Board (JTB) for Reggae Month celebrations.
The not too long ago unveiled bust of the King of Reggae Robert Nesta Marley, which was created by German-born sculptor Diedel Klour. The piece is presently on show on the S Lodge in Kingston and was designed from scrap metallic.
“Bob Marley is a pioneer in reggae music. His music is a crossover with different genres of music that has helped to form our music immediately,” mentioned Mya Abraham of Vibe Journal. Martie Bowser of Essence Journal mentioned she has all the time been a fan of Bob Marley’s music since she was in center college. “It’s wonderful to be right here. Bob Marley’s affect goes past his music and it is nice to be taught extra about Jamaica’s tradition,” she mentioned.
Lyndon Taylor, founder and Chief Govt Officer of Lyndon Taylor and Associates, a boutique media and public relations consulting company in New York Metropolis, mentioned he was completely satisfied to be part of Bob Marley’s eightieth anniversary celebrations.
“Marley was forward of his time, not simply when it comes to leisure, but in addition in his messages that proceed to resonate immediately. We have to embrace him much more as he speaks to peace, and will be thought of a revolutionary,” Taylor mentioned.
Visitors have been handled to savoury delights from Bob Marley’s favorite dishes together with ital stew, roast fish, Irish moss, carrot juice and coconut water.
Issa and his crew additionally used the chance to unveil the sculpture of the King of Reggae, created by German-born sculptor Diedel Klover, an interesting piece made out of scrap metallic. A bust by Jamaican sculptor Scheed Cole was additionally on show on the S Lodge Kingston in the course of the luncheon.
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