Fresh from receiving a Living Legend Award, reggae firebrand Capleton says his first album in 16 years is dedicated to carrying reggae’s timeless message while preserving the legacy of those who paved the way. During the Heights of Fire listening session on Wednesday, the Fireman also paid an emotional tribute to the late Fantan Mojah, observing a minute of silence before declaring that the singer’s music “will never be forgotten.”
The veteran entertainer was honoured by Midas Entertainment Agency during the intimate listening event at Janga’s Soundbar & Grill Sports Bar in Kingston, where members of the media, industry stakeholders and fellow artistes gathered to celebrate the release of Heights of Fire. Accepting the Living Legend Award, Capleton said he was “surprised and honoured” by the recognition, thanking fans for their unwavering support while crediting producer Michael “Mixing Finga” Stewart and Evidence Music for helping bring the long-awaited project to life. The album marks his first full-length studio release in 16 years.
Speaking about the vision behind the album, Capleton said Heights of Fire is intended to reach audiences around the world with a message rooted in positivity, spiritual upliftment and reggae’s enduring values. “We just want Heights of Fire to go global and carry the message that the fire is burning brighter … burning out corruption and negativity. But it is also important to remember seh that fire is a natural mystic force for the purification and preservation of souls,” he said. The reggae icon added that the responsibility of today’s artistes is to uphold the standards established by the genre’s pioneers while setting a positive example for the next generation. “The message it never change,” he remarked.
The evening also carried a sombre note as Capleton reflected on the passing of fellow reggae singer Fantan Mojah, who died on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Calling for a minute of silence before the listening session began, Capleton described Mojah as an artiste who made “a great contribution to the music” and said his songs would continue to live on. “We will still sing his songs, and we know that he will never be forgotten,” he said.
With Heights of Fire now released and a Living Legend honour added to his long list of accolades, Capleton says his focus remains unchanged: protecting reggae’s legacy while ensuring its message continues to resonate with audiences around the world. His next Jamaican appearance is scheduled for Midas Entertainment’s Encore Live: Culture Rising at Plantation Cove on August 30.
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