Kenyatta Hill - Adrian Frater

By Adrian Frater, News Editor

western bureau

When promoter Worrell King began planning Western Consciousness 2007 in April of last year, the first act he signed was reggae singer Joseph 'Culture' Hill, one of the most respected voices in reggae music.

However, as fate would have it, the charismatic Hill, who had promised that he was going to give a special performance, died in Germany last November, leaving King without the man he was expecting to headline the show.

Shortly after Hill's death, King heard that his 28-year-old son Kenyatta, who had been touring with him for over a decade, had taken over the role of lead singer for the group Culture, which his dad led for more than 30 years, and was winning rave reviews with impressive performances in Europe.

"I heard he was doing quite well in Europe so I decided to ask him to fill in for his father on Western Consciousness," said King. "After seeing him in action at Rebel Salute in January, I knew he was up to the task."

On Saturday night at Llandilo Cultural Centre, in Westmoreland, young Kenyatta not only honoured his dad's Western Consciousness obligation but did so well that patrons were left in awe, declaring his performance as one of the best in the 19-year history of the event.

Dressed in full black and looking quite dapper, a confident Kenyatta soon had the crowd looking on in total amazement as the voice coming out of his mouth sounded exactly like his dad.

"If I did not actually see him (Kenyatta) on the stage, I would say it is a recording of Culture (Joseph Hill)," remarked a patron. "Culture body might be dead but his voice is right here with us."

Kenyatta, who hit the stage at 2:42 a.m, had the crowd bursting out in spontaneous screams of delight as the song; Jah Jah See Dem A Come erupted from the speaker boxes and sent them in a dancing and singing frenzy.

In between explaining how his father had meticulously prepared him for what he was now doing, the young Hill kept the good vibration going, belting out songs such as, Jah Rastafari, Money Girl, Zion Gate and Two Sevens Clash among the many crowd-favourites, which made his dad a noted personality in reggae music.

When Kenyatta exited the stage, after accepting a gift from promoter King for his mother, who was being recognised for her success in managing her husband's career, he was mobbed backstage by fans, anxious to get a good look at him.

"Young man I know your father's spirit is in you because I heard it," a fan said to the perspiration- soaked Kenyatta. "You must never let your father down."