Asadenaki ‘Naki Wailer’ Livingston, the only son of Neville O’Riley Livingston, better known as Bunny Wailer, or Jah B, is emphasising the importance of celebrating his father on his birthday, or his ‘Earthstrong’ as some Rastafarians refer to the special day.
Naki Wailer told THE WEEKEND STAR that “for every generation of Livingston present and to come, it is important for us to understand the impact of Bunny Wailer’s timeless works”.
In honour of the 79th birthday of the reggae legend, who found fame alongside Bob Marley and Peter Tosh as the Wailers, his Solomonic Productions Ltd, will today (Friday) host the annual Rootsman Skankin’ a solid roots-reggae, Rastafari event, at Fyah Gardens, on Greenvale Avenue, Kingston 10.
“Bunny Wailer’s Earthstrong calls us to celebrate life, unity, and Pan-African culture through the music that moves the masses. We as the family are fully committed to the celebration of his Earthstrong and his exceptional legacy,” Naki Wailer said.
He added, “Bunny Wailer lived his life standing up for his rights, the rights of the African diaspora and human rights. He was bold, confident and faced fears head on, which is a great example for us all to follow. A man is just a man, but every man and woman has it in them to become the greatest version of themselves. Long live the ‘Honorebel’ Jah Bunny Wailer!”
Rootsman Skankin’ is a free event, and just like they did last year, members of the entertainment fraternity are expected to support the event with their presence. Performers will include Queen Ifrica, Bushman, Naki Wailer, Andrew Tosh, Samory-I, Chi Ching Ching, Triston Palmer and Imeru Tafari.
Naki Wailer and the Livingston family are looking forward to what they label “a powerful tribute to Bunny Wailer’s timeless contributions to music, culture and the Rastafari community”. The celebration continues on Saturday with a Bunny Wailer football competition at the Haile Selassie High School park in Payne Land. The family shared that “this is a community where he carried out significant charitable work, helping to strengthen his legacy of service, empowerment, and nation-building”.
Born April 10, 1947, Bunny Wailer was one of the pillars of reggae music. A founding member of The Wailers, he toured with the band in England and USA after the success with the 1973 albums Catch A Fire and Burnin‘, he left the group. He subsequently released a number of successful solo reggae albums, including Blackheart Man (1976) and Rock ‘n’ Groove (1981). He started to tour internationally again and is acknowledged as one of reggae music’s most important reggae artistes ever. Bunny Wailer was honoured by the Jamaican government for his pioneering role in reggae music. He was awarded the Order of Merit in 2017 for outstanding contribution to the development of Jamaican music and the Order of Jamaica in August 2012 to coincide with Jamaica’s 50th Independence anniversary. Internationally, Bunny Wailer won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1991, 1995 and 1997. He passed away on March 2, 2021.
Naki Wailer gave THE WEEKEND STAR his five Essential Bunny Wailer songs: Blackheart Man, Crucial, Rise and Shine, Cool Runnings and Electric Boogie.
Forming part of the birthday celebration was the Second Annual Bunny Wailer Symposium, which was held on Thursday at The University of the West Indies, and featured presentations by Dr Clinton Hutton, Dr Kadamawe Knife, Bongo Jerry Small, and Kareece Lawrence.
