Every last Sunday of the month, like today, June 28, Captain Blazee and a group of others attempt to revive reggae music at Freedom Park, Lagos.
Born Akintunde Sunday in Lagos, and so much in love with reggae music that he agrees has seen better days , what he and other concerned artistes do when they gather each month is called Conscious Vibes Africa.
This movement is their contribution through the encouragement of Rastafarians and reggae enthusiasts in their goal to restructure African indigenous music in Nigeria to an international standard that will complement the efforts of good musicians.
Captain Blazzee said they also intend to promote the creative spirit among Nigerian reggae artistes through the acquisition and performance of conscious music, presentation and preservation of Nigeria’s root reggae and dancehall music.
“Our team has therefore designed this monthly concert and activity to achieve our goal and has continued to seek sponsorship and support,” he stated.
“I am a reggae artiste and I have been doing reggae for quite a long time now; but I notice that people’s impression towards reggae music is very bad. As a reggae artiste and organiser, I am just putting myself together.”
Apart from reviving reggae music, he explained that what they do is to also celebrate the legends.
But is he getting the response he expects?
“Yes, the last time we celebrated Bob Marley, it was massive. Sundays are neutral days at Freedom Park; but any Sunday we have Conscious Vibes Africa, the place is filled up,” he replied.
For today’s show, the line-up of artistes include: Diana Bada, Marimba from Ghana, Oga Chux, Ediro and a host of others, all of them reggae artistes.
Asked if it is the same artistes that perform every last Sunday, and the response is no, “we have a lot of reggae artistes in this country and even in the states. The last time we invited five artistes, we had much more than that performing”.
To be on the Conscious Vibes Africa stage, Captain Blazee said, is as simple as being good in music, which has to tilt towards reggae.
“It is not an open mic kind of thing because you need to come early. For instance, we have been doing rehearsals for like four days in preparation for the show on Sunday, about a week from now at Sound Pillar Studious in Ajah, and it has been awesome,” he said.
Captain Blazee’s interest in music began around age 16 when he started singing Gospel in his church choir. He later became the major vocalist in the church choir about two years later, and ended up doing secular music reggae, jazz, Afro/pop, R&B, soul, before finally embracing reggae music in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He has done great music with other artistes from within and other neighbouring countries. With tips from fellow musicians, he taught himself to play the rhythm guitar. When learning to play, Captain Blazee would listen and practise with tunes from Lucky Dube, Bob Marley, Majek Fashek and Fela Kuti.
“These are my heroes,” he said. “I had to learn to play and preach like them.”
Shortly after relocating to Lagos, Blazee needed a band to back him. That’s when he started working with foreign producers through a music promoter/manager based in Florida, United States of America, Tabiyah Yetunde of Fahyahnation Music & Entertainment. He had worked and is still working with Mixmaster Blazinlux (Canada), Ricky Swan (U.S.) and a host of others.