Rumor has it that Ignatius “Nasio†Fontaine will be one of the sixteen Dominicans who will be receiving the country second highest honour at the 29th Independence celebrations on Saturday, a government statement has revealed.
My Open Thread on the Subject
How ironic that the government is honouring Nasio. True – Nasio is Dominican and an international reggae artist, but what have Nasio done for Dominica – nothing!
Until the recent Creole in the Park , that was the first appearance made by Nasio to the Dominican public. Then again the only reason that was possible was because of whatever compensation Cable and Wireless offer him. So if the government feels like they should honour Nasio…let them. But I’m sure that there are many Dominicans who share my opinion.
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First i would like to ask Chris if he is Dominican cuz it dosent sound like it.
1. CITP was not Nasio’s first performance but i think his third or at least the third one i’d been to.
2. Nasio’s has done so much for Dominica, The caribbean and Africa by extension by writing promoting and performing his music all over the world. Artistic expressions is the most vialble way for one’s country to get known interntionally without being tainted by agenda’s of war, pollutics,and all the other negative vibes that one learns about another country before they even get a cahnce to visit it. Nasio has in fact been an ambassor for us thru his musical message and what he represents. RASTAFARI!!!! The Natural livety which is in a nutshell our beautiful island.
3.I think what you should ask chris is what has Dominica did for Nasio Fountaine.alot when you speak of the Dominica of his birth offering him and environment to grow up in which helped in his inspiration to do music, but as a government we have not done much at all not for Nasio or any other Artist for that matter. governments present and passed have neglected the arts in a manner which is sad to speak of . and if i was Nasio i would decline from receiving such an award as i think it is merely a ploy by the Gment to take out shame in their eyes and make themselves look good after not regocnizing or supporting Nasio and the many other ppl who have an artistic contribution towards our country’s development.
so chris once again if you are in fact dominican then you should know not HIStory but OURstory in this island and now of the persecution that ppl like nasio went through in the late 70’s and early 80’s for being what they are RASTA!!! i guess that another topic tho.
Blessed Love and Guidance.
ONE
SHELDON CASIMIR D/CAN SINCE 1978
Firstly Sheldon, thxs for sharing your comments on DW. And yes I’m Dominican. 🙂
1.) To my knowledge, CITP was is the first time I’ve seen Nasio perform in front a large Dominican audience..I might be wrong and I stand corrected.
2.) I understand and respect your comments on how Nasio as been an ambassador for Dominica thru his musical message and for what he represent – RASTAFARI!!! It amazes that Nasio will travel all over the world sharing his musical message, and as you mentioned “The Natural livety which is in a nutshell our beautiful island.â€
But the same natural island which Nasio obtains his “Natural Livety†– he segregates himself from the people. Isn’t RASTAFARI about togetherness and one love? Not once I heard (corrected if I’m wrong), Nasio Fontaine perform at Reggae Jams orchestrated by young upcoming Dominican reggae artists.
I hate to compare artist, but in these situation I’m forced too. For example: let’s look at Morgan Heritage. Nasio is not internationally known as MH. And MH travels all around the world sharing their musically message and promoting JA. But!!! They take the time out to interact with the people of JA, perform at benefit concerts, etc.
3.) On your third comment, we share the same opinion. Because I also found Ironic the government would be honouring Nasio. And you’re right when you say:
Finally, I know very well the history and about the persecution which ppl like Nasio went through in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I once heard a Rasta man say: “Rasta doesn’t move backwards – Rasta moves ever forward.†All the persecution in the past has made Rasta what it is today…strong and dynamic movement. One Love ❗
Hi,
Someone bought 2 of Nasio’s CD’s at the Pomona fair in Los Angeles in 2005. Ever since learning of him through his CD’s, I have been wondering how I’d never heard of him before and didn’t hear anything about him. This the second time in about two years that I’ve tried to find a schedule of a tour. I finally did today and he will be in west hollywood, and Anaheim which is even closer to my house.
Thank God, I’m going to try and get tickets!
(One love, and I forgot to say that I’m a Jamaican (from the land of Reggae). When I played the first track on the CD, I thought he was Jamaican.
Lana