0917_Greenleaf (1)

Reggae Recap:
By: Drew@Releaf
Life of a Ghetto Youth Tour
During the Providence leg of the Life of a Ghetto Youth
Lion Melta
Tour, we had the opportunity to light it up with Sizzla and
his talented ensemble that included Ras Shiloh, Pressure
Busspipe and Marlon Asher. The highly anticipated tour
brought Sizzla back to the Ocean State for the first time in
over 8 years.
The packed house at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel saw
vibrant musical performances from very talented artists
representing many different styles of Reggae and Caribbean
music. Having seen most of these artists in the past perform
with live bands, I must say a live band would have really takwould
have really taken things to the next level, however
nothing about this show disappointed.
Staying true to form, the show started after a filled house had the whole building smelling of many different
kinds of herb. While Izac King was not able to perform in the US due to Visa reasons, Sizzla called up Trinidadian
Superstar Orlando Octave to the lineup as well as Sizzla’s own son, Meleku.
Octave preformed his smash hit “Single.” He also told us why it’s so important for him to be on this tour. “I don’t
like to be labeled as a genre, I just [make] music. So for me to be on a Reggae tour, and be touring the world right
now with a Soca song, is a great accomplishment, and to be touring with the legendary Kalonji. It shows unity.”
Opening sets from Octave and Meleku warmed
Marlon Asher and Orlando Octave
up the crowd for Ras Shiloh. His captivating
and intense vocals sent chills through Lupo’s
as he preformed many of his classic songs. We
asked him before the show about the experience
of touring with this group of musicians, “It’s a
blessing, and were like one big family out on the
road.”
One of the most memorable performances
of the night was from Pressure Busspipe.
When asked what style he would bring to the
crowd that, he said “Every style. Definitely tonight,
every Pressure Busspipe. The lover’s rock,
the culture, reality, universal music, remixes,
songs for the herbsman and the farmerman.
Fire!” He did just that by bringing a taste of
his many different musical flavors to this tour.
Bangers like “Show Love,” and “Lion is a Lion,”
were met with vocals from the crowd, matching
his every word, until he free styled the “No Bush”
remix which truly set the vibe for the rest of the
show.
When Sizzla finally graced the stage,
the crowd was primed and ready for him. His
legendary voice rocked Lupo’s. The passion and
energy he puts into every word is undeniable,
Sizzla
J31