Buju Banton & Capleton @Stratford Rex

... And so from the Wailers @Rise onto two living legends of Reggae @the Rex- Buju Banton and Capleton. As a consolation for missing out on Summerjam in Germany, it aint half bad!

We arrived to a rammed Stratford Rex that was buzzing with anticipation for the gig they thought would never happen. Brighton heads were still reeling from yet another Buju cancellation, after gay rights campaigners pressured the local council to withdraw Concorde 2's license. As disillusioned/frustrated as such sensationalist narrow-mindedness makes me feel, Im not about to get deep into it right here. Nevertheless the knowledge of the struggle to make this gig happen added to the electric sense of expectancy.

The crowd was warmed up by a booming soundsystem blazing Dancehall classics, current smashes (highlights: Richie Spice's 'Blood Again' & Jah Cure's 'Prison Walls') and a huge Bounty Killer section. Rewinds and cocophanies of whistles. Jimmy Cliff's 'Many Rivers To Cross' was a refreshing touch too. The sweaty crowd grew restless throughout the extended procession of warm-up talent, including Jah Thunder and Moses I.

Capleton eventually stormed the set to pure mayhem. The Energy God lived up to his name, bouncing about the stage and sending the Rex into a frenzy. With his water tight band bringing Dancehall riddims to life and pulling rewinds, Capelton tore through his catalogue of bashment big-hitters (including 'Or Wha', 'That Day Will Come' & 'Pull Up'). Slew Dem... did exactly as it said on the tin.

Switching between filthy ragga MCing and soulful roots singing, the Fire Man was grinning like Cheshire all night - emanating energy and proving why he is the most respected artist in Reggae. Perhaps too much Dancehall at the expense of old skool classics, but nevertheless it was sumthin' special to witness arguably the greatest emcee in the world control his audience with such ease.













As if that wasn't enough, mans summoned the energy to greet Buju Banton with rapturous noise. His tall, skinny frame and whirlwind of dreadlocks graced the stage with his huge presence. I swear down there's an incredible aura about this man. It was interesting to see the differences in the two headliners' live styles, such as Buju's talented backing singers.

The Gargamel launched into an array of crowd-pleasers stretching across his near 20 years in the business, including the massive 'Hills & Valleys'.
However most of the set compromised of his seminal 1995 album, 'Til Shiloh'. If you havent heard it yet, you're mad. A deep and heartfelt retreat from violent Dancehall culture into more spiritual Roots, Buju captured the troubles of turbulent Jamaica whilst tackling two ideaologically disparate styles on one album.

So when Buju proceeded to 'Walk Like A Champion', trust me... 'Its all over'. The place was shaking as he was jumping on the spot. The peak, in a day of peaks, was when he sung the captivatingly spiritual 'Untold Stories' to a chorus of horns, whistles, braps and lighters. As if things werent quite enough, Buju brought out a surprise guest - Dancehall star, Assassin, blinged up and spitting venom. By now it was all too much.

The show shutdown around 3.30am, leaving me exhausted and contemplating being blessed by creative greatness. Ended up back in Kentish Town for a house-party, touching the mic for an old fashioned TKOver with Firefly (felt good - hold tight Bassline). In Killz's own way... Slewed Dem.