JOSEPH “CULTURE" HILL
IS FLYING WITH THE ANGELS
BY LAUREN DRUMMOND
The celebration of Reggae’s most powerful lyricist and Icon,
Joseph Hill had an exceptional turn out from the media, artists and
fans from all over the world, for the free concert, Friday, September
8, 2006.
Even the rain which poured prior to the show could not stop the support
of musical contributors from Carlene Davies, Luciano, Anthony B, Bunny
Wailer, Tony Rebel, Sly Dunbar, George Nooks, Dean Fraser, Big Youth,
U Roy, Jimmy Riley, Ritchie Spice, Lovindeer, Bengy Meyas, Lloyd Parks,
Sharon Tucker and more, who treated the largest crowd ever assembled
at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Center to one of the greatest shows
in history for Joseph Hill’s final journey to the Kingdom.
Some of Culture’s songs were performed during the show from Sharon
Tucker singing, “Every where she see I am,” Ken Boothe
with “Addis Ababa,” and other singers such as Ritchie Spice
who interspersed his song with some of Cultures lyrics.
They all gave great performances while Mutabaruka, Denise Miller and
Tommy Cowan shared the emcee duties. But when Kenyatta, Joseph
Hill's (Culture as he is called) son, took the stage with
Albert Walker, former member, Kenneth Dayes and the rest of the band;
the spirit of Joseph Hill came on stage nd took them through
an overwhelming performance. The audience was at a stand
still.
After this set, my party slipped quietly away to Stony Hill, Culture’s
house for the rest of the wake. People as far away as Japan,
Africa, Europe, the United States and the rest of the Caribbean were
there supporting the family. During this time, Culture’s
wife, Mrs. Pauline Hill showed tremendous strength. She kept
herself busy and was instrumental in all the planning phase.
Next day, Saturday, September 9, 2006, the celebratory service at the
Emmanuel Apostolic Church also had mourners including, Prime Minister,
Portia Simpson, Wykeham McNeil, the junior minister of Culture
and Tourism, Senator Dwight Nelson, Desmond Young, President of the
Jamaican Federation of Musicians, members of the media, producers,
and artists.
Ernest
Ranglin started the service with a musical tribute playing, “Close
to God.”
The service was officiated by Bishops Devon C. Brown and S.V. Thomas
had Prime Minister Portia Simpson hailing Joseph Hill’s contribution
to the music and culture of Jamaica.
“I am comforted to see your (Joseph) words come to pass,” remarked
Prime Minister Simpson. Some years ago, the late Hill predicted in an
interview that Jamaica would have a woman Prime Minister. “I promised
to do all that is in my power and to live up to your expectations.”
“Joseph was a respected member of the music fraternity,” said Dennis
Wright, who headed the Planning Committee. Wright called on the government
to recognize the artists’ works. “The best advertising we
could ever get is through our artists touring the world and selling our music
and culture." Lloyd Evans spoke about his humility and his impact in
Africa, Europe and Asia. “I am humbled having that man in my life. He
was proud but not arrogant.”
Gary “Dr. Dread” Himmelfarb, head of RAS Records, said
that Joseph Hill was a complex individual who felt the world’s
pain and the disadvantage. “He saw life from a unique
perspective, and I am truly blessed by his spirituality and his rare
quality. Thank you Jah for Joseph.”
Other musical tributes came from Dean Frazer, Lloyd Parkes and the
Bethel Mass Choir.
Joseph Hill was laid to rest at Dovecot Memorial Park. He is
survived by his wife, Pauline Hill, mother Eva Henry, daughter, Afrine
Hill Walker, daughter, Andrea Hill, son Afrique Kenyatta Hill, and
grand Children.
Yet, not even death will stop his music and his message of love,
the fight against war, poverty, oppression, racism, and his vision
from living on.
Jah Jah See him a Come.
Thanks to Air Jamaica in providing the press ticket.
The
LOVE & RESPECT SHOWN JOSEPH HILL IS A TESTAMENT TO HIS LIFE
AND WORKS
Close to 500 Tributes were recorded the first day this tribute was placed on
the internet.
So this page loads faster, we have archived close to 1500 tributes posted in
the first days.
Sight
them here: First day - Page 1 | First
Day - Page 2 | First Day -
Page 3 | Second
Day - Page 4
MORE TRIBUTES - PAGE 5 | PAGE
6 | PAGE 7 | PAGE
8 | PAGE 9 |
JOSEPH “CULTURE" HILL
IS FLYING WITH THE ANGELS - BY LAUREN DRUMMOND
This Tribute
to Joseph Hill hosted with love by Sista Irie's Conscious Party: www.consciousparty.com
Page Design and Layout by EvanCR
Scripts
for this book created by Matt Wright and can be found
at Matt's
Script Archive
