As the island seeks to boost its tourism product, the Grenada Tourism Authority invited journalists from Trinidad for a three-day cultural immersion. One of the highlights was the Grenada Caribbean Music Festival, held on November 8th at The Lawn at Port Louis, St. George's.
00:00Now in its second year, the festival continues to grow, attracting music lovers from across the region.
00:15Headlining this year's reggae segment was Jamaican star, Protégé, whose electrifying set carried an added emotion,
00:23as his homeland continued to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
00:30So make me know when you are feeling, feeling, feeling, uh-huh, and something else that you are feeling, chug, it's this extreme, am I your way?
00:42I was in Dominica with Romaine Virgo, and we were both on our way back to Jamaica, and they canceled the flight, so we were stuck in Miami.
00:50So we were both up there without our families, just trying to connect with them.
00:55I lost service with my mom because she was in the heat of it.
00:57So it was traumatic, being able to get your family and get to nobody, and you don't know the damage.
01:04And I went home and looked at my childhood home where I grew up, and it's, you know, got the damage.
01:15Despite the heartbreak, Protégé chose to fulfill his commitment in Grenada,
01:20performing for fans while helping to raise awareness and aid for his country.
01:25I canceled the rest of my tours because I wanted to go home, but, you know, Grenada is like, I love Eastern Caribbean.
01:33My dad's from St. Vincent.
01:34My mom went to school in Barbados, so I like, you know, being in the country.
01:39I wanted my mom to take a trip out of Jamaica because she was severely affected by the hurricane.
01:44We have a charity through my festival, Lasting Time Festival, that my sister is a director of.
01:50So she has been, she went on the road today doing a lot of outreach and charity stuff.
01:56So we're also raising money through that foundation to give back, and we have also donated ourselves.
02:03And then my festival, that's the same festival, but it's kept in February next year.
02:07So I'm sure we'll have a bunch of stuff from that festival to also give, so.
02:13Grenada Caribbean Music Festival is presented by ORA Caribbean, and its focus goes beyond entertainment.
02:20It's about celebrating shared identity, rhythm, and resilience.
02:25It was good to get the energy from the people here, you know.
02:28My show is a lot of energy and enough action, you know, so it was good to get back the feedback from them.
02:35You know, the rain started when I did my rain dance, and then the people went away and came back.
02:40So it was a joy.
02:41It's good to be here.
02:42I love performing in the Caribbean, and when they now bring me back to Trinidad, it's the question I want for now, you know.
02:47Grammy-nominated reggae artist Mortimo entertained the crowd with his soulful lyrics and messages of hope.
02:54You are able to tell every one of you know what struggle feels like in this place, or what it is to have your heart broken, seen, for whatever reason there is.
03:06But I tell you this, I tell you this, Grenada, it will be okay.
03:14It all will be okay, Grenada.
03:17I tell you this, Grenada.
03:21Oh my sister, you're out forever, don't you push.
03:24This one is like you never heard from your soul today.
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