Get ready Bermuda, reggae star won’t be doing things by halves
Reggae star Half Pint has put his local fans on alert, declaring: “I’m coming to Bermuda to represent.”
“I’m coming to represent and perform like it’s my last performance,” he told The Royal Gazette. “This is my first time performing in Bermuda and I want to make it memorable for the audience.”
The Jamaican reggae singer is set to perform at next month’s Annual Veterans in Action Show at CedarBridge Academy alongside the equally as talented Admiral Tibet and Courtney Melody.
The upcoming show promises to be a very special occasion for Half Pint, whose real name is Lindon Andrew Roberts.
The occasion will mark the first time he’s performed on these shores while the concert is being held on the eve of his 52nd birthday.
“I’ve never been to Bermuda so this is a first time for me and November 11 is going to be my birthday,” he said. “I will be celebrating my birthday in Bermuda so it will be a very special and memorable occasion.”
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Half Pint rose to prominence in the 1980s with classic hits such as ‘Sally’, ‘Winsome’ and Mr Landlord’ to name a few.
It’s classics such as these he plans to perform at the upcoming show.
“They are going to be getting some of those songs they have been hearing that I’ve been doing from the past , . . all of them hit songs like Mr Landlord, Winsome and Lover’s Rock Dancehall,” he explained.
Half Pint also plans to perform what he termed as “liberating songs”.
“They are also getting some liberating sounds of people from history wanting to be self sufficient and live an independent way of life,” he added. “Those songs like ‘Freedom Fighter’ and ‘One Big Family’ which remind people that the family that prays together stays together.”
The reggae great is looking forward to performing alongside the likes of Courtney Melody and Admiral Tibet.
“Me know them vibes and energy and they have supported me over the years,” Half Pint said. “We support each and it’s going to be a good stage performance.”
The veteran Dancehall singer embarked on an extensive tour of Europe this past summer, performing in countries such as Italy, France, Spain, England, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary.
“The people were quite receptive, it was like they were waiting a long time for me,” he said. “I’m here in Jamaica and North America most of the time doing a lot of shows and recording but I took the time to go to Europe this summer. My first major tour was throughout Europe in 1986.”
Half Pint grew up in the same Kingston enclave as late reggae greats Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and Peter Tosh.
Brown, in particular, had a profound on the singer who went onto to become a star in his own right.
“Dennis Brown is my number one,” he declared. “Bob Marley did an interview and said Dennis Brown was his singer also from way back.
“In reality Dennis Brown wake the town and tell the people way before Bob Marley.”
Half Pint began singing in the school choir at All Saints Primary School before thrusting himself into Jamaica’s music industry in the late 1970s.
The singer views himself as a natural.
“In life you have some people who were born and some who became and I see myself born and inspired by the music,” he said. “Music opened doors in my mind and let me feel more comfortable and bring forth joy to me.
“Music is a universal language but when you’re born with certain inspiration about you it makes it more easier for you to take on other entities. Music is really a soulful entity towards humanity that I absorb easily and greatly deliver it back.
“The message of the music, where reggae music is concerned, talks to the soul of man. I realise what the music is saying and react.”