Contributed
Tony Rebel (right) with his best friend Sandra 'Sajoya ' Alcott.
Misha Lobban, Contributor
Friendship is a special kind of love
- Anonymous
Patrick 'Tony Rebel' Barrett is regarded as a 'Rebel with distinction', who ignites audiences locally and internationally with his conscious reggae lyrics, such as Jah By My Side, Sweet Jamaica, Loyal Soldier and Fresh Vegetable.
His first release was the single Casino in 1988. His big hit came in 1989 with the release of Fresh Vegetable. In 1992, he signed a deal with Columbia Records, who released Vibes of the Times the following year, and in 1994 he founded his own record label, Flames Productions.
Notably one of the few dreadlocked 'cultural' deejays, Tony Rebel, after more than 20 years in the music industry, has many albums and compilations to his credit, including two cuts on the Grammy-nominated Stir It Up compilation, as well as songs on the Cool Runnings movie soundtrack.
The singer is also the promoter of the popular reggae show 'Rebel Salute', held in January of every year in commemoration of his birthday, and which features a line-up of some of Jamaica's top reggae artistes.
According to his attorney-at-law and best friend, Sandra 'Sajoya' Alcott, music is his life, but Tony is also a 'Rebel with a cause'. Through her eyes, we learn of his role as a social activist, including his work in helping to raise awareness of AIDS and his compassion for those living with the disease. His Peace Love and Unity concert was a call for national harmony ahead of the 1997 general election and when the Reggae Boyz went to France in 1998, they dribbled to Tony Rebel's lyrics "If Jah is standing by my side, why should I be afraid?"
The presentation of the national honour, the Order of Distinction, to him in 2002 was a fitting tribute to the work and contribution of this cultural icon.
On March 30, 2008, he received the Canadian Music Award's Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution as an ambassador of reggae music and for his upliftment of the Jamaican culture through his music.
In this week's feature, his best friend, Sajoya, who is also a performing artiste, natural rights activist and former president of the Jamaica Association of Female Artistes, speaks of Tony Rebel's commitment as a social activist, his hidden talent as an actor/ impersonator, and his invaluable impact on the lives of many Jamaicans.
How did you meet Tony Rebel, and how long have you been friends?
I met Tony at a show in 1990. It was actually dubbed 'The Crowning of Tony Rebel', and it was held in St Elizabeth. I went to the show with my close friend, Joy Dixon, the widow of the late disc jockey, Jeff 'Free-I' Dixon. I was introduced to Tony by Yassus Afari and there was an instant mutual attraction. He has a kind of vibrancy about him and that's one of the things that attracted me to him. Since then, we have become very good friends. I guess we were meant to become friends for life. He is my brother and my closest male friend.
Tell us what you admire most about him, and why you think you have remained friends all these years.
I admire his ability to listen … not just to me but to the many people who find it easy to confide in him. I admire his ambition and his perseverance in excelling as an artiste and the opportunities he has given to many persons in establishing their career in the music industry. More important, he is someone I can call upon in the time of need because I know he will be there for me.
Tell us something interesting about Tony Rebel.
Tony is a social activist. If there is a cause to be supported, he will be involved because he is giving by his nature. He has been involved over the years in social causes, like artistes against AIDS, and many other projects. He also mentors youths in the inner city. We are both members of the board of directors of the S-Corner Clinic in Bennett Lands in the Waltham Park community, and he actively counsels and mentors the youths who live in this community.
Another interesting thing about Tony is that he can disguise his voice and does an excellent impersonation. I think he has a hidden talent as an actor and has, in fact, done a cameo on Judy Mowatt's music video for her song entitled Guilty. This was in 1990.
Tony also has a backyard garden and he enjoys planting callaloo, pak choi and other types of vegetables, and because he is a vegetarian he eats the produce from his garden.
What are some of the things you talk about when you get together?
We tend to laugh a lot and we talk about our lives and just about everything.
Share with us one of the happiest moments you have experienced with him.
We have had a lot of good memories because our friendship has been a long one and over the years I have travelled with him to many of his shows.
One the most memorable experiences has been the staging of the first Rebel Salute in 1994 in Mandeville. This was the event at which Garnet Silk, who was a very close friend of Tony, returned to the stage after a short break from music. There was such a tremendous feeling of pride as he honoured the return of his friend to the stage. The show was an awesome experience and even though it rained throughout the night people just stood transfixed enjoying the show. This event set the stage for the annual staging of Rebel Salute, which has remained a tradition.
Tell us the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of him, and why.
Charismatic … he has a certain magic about his personality that attracts people to him, and which is why he is so admired by many.
What are his favourite food, favourite music and favourite sport?
Tony is very health-conscious and is a strict vegan. He mainly has fruits, raw foods, green juices and other freshly extracted juices.
Music is his life but I would dare say that Bob Marley's songs are his favourite.
Football, which he also plays regularly. He enjoys the game of cricket as well.
Tell us the colour that you associate with him:
Yellow signifying someone you'll never forget
Orange signifying someone you consider your true friend
Red signifying someone you really love
Green signifying someone you'll remember for the rest of your life.
I would say all of them, but if I have to choose one it would be the colour yellow because he has been closely connected to my life for so long that we are like family, and that's how I feel about him.
Define for us what you consider to be a true friend.
A true friend is there for you in the good times and when things are rough. A true friend is someone you can depend on, and Tony has been there for me in my toughest hour of need, and that's why I love him as my brother. It has been a long journey, a good journey with him and my hope is that it will continue for many more years.
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