– Calling for unity amongst all Guyanese

GIVEN the current political climate and racial tension in Guyana, a group of artistes have joined together to blend their voices and recreate a song that calls for peace, love and unity amongst our people.

This initiative is being spearheaded by Nigel ‘Soca Fox’ Worrel, who called for the artistes to come together to use their talent and platforms to influence the masses in a positive direction.

Kross Kolor Records, where the song is being recorded and videoed, was packed on Sunday afternoon with the artistes who came in solidarity with the initiative. 2020 soca monarch, Jumo Primo, former monarchs, Brandon Harding and Kwasi Ace, Michelle ‘Big Red’ King, Jonathan ‘Lil Red’ King, Kady Kish, Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts, Mark Batson, Calvin Burnett, Alabama, Reigning Chutney Monarch, Bunty Singh, Aw Lyrical and Sonia Singh are the artistes whose voices will be heard in the song.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke to some of these entertainers and this is what they had to say to their followers and the wider Guyanese public:

Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts, who is the writer and singer of the original song ‘One Voice’: “What I want Guyana to know is that it does not matter which ever person you voted for, whichever side you chose, it’s one Guyana, our Guyana, and I just want us to take a step back, look at it from that perspective. Not often artistes would come together to do music, and if we can work together, we’re in the same business and we’re working together to just show you the change that we want, and the change that should be happening.”

Calvin Burnett: Live in love and let the process run its course. At the end of the day we are one people, one nation, one destiny. That’s what we need to embrace, that’s how we need to live. Guyana is a beautiful paradise, and instead of shining all of this negative light that we’re attracting at the moment, what we need to do is allow people to see Guyana for the beauty it has. Guyana has six different people, we have the most natural resources, we rich, we got the most hospitable people in the Caribbean. I think that is what we need to let the entire world see and this project is something we are highlighting. Listen out for the song I have, ‘Born and Grow’, and that too talks about Guyana, this paradise that we live in.”

Kwasi Ace: “We are the voice of the people because when you check it, most of Guyanese are rallying for peace so we gotta make it happen. The only way is for all the people who have a following, stakeholders I should say, all of them should come together and do something.
Guyana is made up of different cultures and ethnicities and that’s what makes us unique, we need to embrace that and love that, and don’t ever forget that. This racial peril we are experiencing is not who we are or what we should be.”

Clifford ‘Alabama’ Charles: “Always remember our motto and try to live up to it. In times like these where a lot of misinformation is being passed around, try your best to get your information from credible sources and don’t just listen to anything that is being peddled on social media. We want a peaceful nation.”

Kady Kish: “What does our motto mean to you? It’s so heart-rending that we are not abiding by that motto and this is my call for all Guyanese to come together to live as one. Stop all of this segregation and violence. I sang a song, Soca is my religion, and it talks about uniting nations through soca music. I really need you to do that right now, not only through soca music, but do it for our families, future generations and all the others looking down on us right now. We don’t have to fight. We already did our part, we went out and voted for our parties and now everyone should remain calm and humble and let us be one people, one nation, one destiny.”

Jonathan ‘Lil Red’ King: “We need to unite and become one. Put aside all the things that make us different and realise that our purpose here is to overcome all the negatives. So let’s unite and make the world a better place for the future generations to come.”

Michelle ‘Big Red’ King: “My wish is for us to live together as one. At the end of the day, each one of us has the same blood, and we need each other to survive. We have to work together as a country and as a people, so let us keep the peace, let’s love and embrace each other. Let love prevail because love always wins.”

Brandon Harding: “Now we know now is a time that is very ticklish, I just want to urge all Guyanese to think before they act. Do the right thing and this too shall pass. Let us do the right thing for Guyana, and not just think about ourselves. That is why I am a part of this, cause we need to call for unity across the entire Guyana. “

Jumo Primo: “I just want to encourage all to let God be first, the people and our country. Let’s pray for our nation, it’s not about race, colour, texture of hair. I encourage everyone to stand your ground, stand firm; stay safe and don’t follow people with negative comments. Hold your peace and stay strong, God is in charge.”

Mark Batson: “Guyana is a peaceful place, full of harmony, full of culture, and we love our people. Guyana is the place to be. One voice!”

The song and video is expected to be completed by today, and will be played on radio stations and television stations across the country, and will also be on the social media platforms.

It is the hope of these artistes, that this song, and their involvement, will influence the public and bring about a positive change.