ENTERTAINMENT
Reggae Artists Join Peace Train in Sierra Leone
By Abu Bakarr Munu
Aug 6, 2007, 20:49

A group of local Reggae Artists under the name of Lion Kings and otherwise known popularly as ‘Tranga Yase Crew’ launching their No Violence Election Campaign through Reggae Music on Friday, 3rd August 2007 at the basement of the Cotton Tree in an attempt to dissuade youths from perpetrating violence during and after polling day scheduled for August 11 this year.

Lion Kings launching their No Violence Election Campaign through Reggae Music

The Lion Kings comprises four different Reggae groups namely; KTC, Rasta Levi, Higher Heights and the Egalitarians, and they include popular artists such as Amza Links, Cherman-B and Sierra Leone’s celebrated female reggae artist, Kadie Black. Also involved in this reggae campaign are groups such as, Reggae Union, Shain Foundation and several other local reggae artists.

Disclosing the rationale for this Reggae No Violence initiative, Reggae buster, Ibrahim Jalloh a.k.a. Selassie of the Lion Kings group told Awareness Times that as reggae artists their target is the youth population, pointing out that during their campaign, which he disclosed will start on Friday, 3rd August 2007, they will be organizing a reggae music train, that will be visiting ghettos and other hanging spots of youths to give them the message of peace and to sensitize them on the need to ensure a no violent election in the country through reggae music.

According to Bai Samu a.k.a. ‘Latimus’ also of the Lion King group, their coalition has been engaged in no violence sensitization for some time now, disclosing that they have held series of musical concerts in night clubs and popular rendezvous around the city, with the message of peace and tolerance to the youths. Latimus disclosed further that they intend to use football also to send the similar messages to youth fans. He said they will be bringing together youths from the various political parties in a football gala as a way of ensuring peace and harmony among the youths.

"We believe that by these activities, come August 11, our youth counterparts would have been adequately sensitized on the need for a no violent campaign during and after the August 11 elections," Latimus assured.