Welcome Chronixx to TT, the second best

YVONNE WEBB

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello yesterday declared that Jamaica was the best country in the world, as he welcomed Jamaican-born reggae star Jamar “Chronixx” McNaughten, to Trinidad and Tobago – the second best.

Chronixx was given the royal treatment as he arrived as City Hall to screams, applause and chants of his name yesterday morning, two days ahead of his One Heart Caribbean Festival concert at Skinner Park in San Fernando. There was a mad rush for hugs, autographs and selfies which left the 24-year-old Spanish Town native overwhelmed.

The conscious reggae singer arrived in the country on Monday night, following a concert in Guyana. He arrived at 9 am at City Hall as the Skiffle Steel Orchestra belted out one of his popular hits, ‘Skanking Sweet’ inside the auditorium. Mayor Regrello greeted Chronixx on the outside and ushered him towards a throng of adoring fans.

Work at City Hall came to a standstill. Mayor Regrello, in urging the audience to give Chronixx, “a San Fernando welcome”, greeted the singer/songwriter and welcomed him to the second best country in the world. Regrello then said the best was Jamaica, where Chronixx is a native.

The reggae artiste was then treated to extempo from Black Stalin’s grandson Kevan Calliste, a St Benedict’s student, who also engaged some of the students to do a verse to the rhythm of “Santimanitay.”

The improvisation continued as Naparima Boys students did their version of the hit single “Likes” from the Chronology album, which they submitted in a video competition prior to his arrival. “Nuff blessings, nuff love to you,” Chronixx said as he called out the names of the various schools, whose students were in attendance. .

His spiritual side was also applauded as he asked for the Open Bible High School, represented by just two students. “Rastafarian love the Bible,” he declared, encouraging students to read the Bible, one chapter a day, from Genesis to Revelation. As a teaser to what is expected at tomorrow’s concert, Chronixx had the audience swaying to the rhythm as he sang a verse of “Skanking Sweet”, accompanied by Skiffle’s bass.

From City Hall, Chronixx also touched down at the Pleasantville Plaza, where he was again greeted by adoring fans from the Pleasantville Secondary and San Fernando East Secondary schools. He however left fans both excited and disappointed as the planned one hour interaction, was downsized to five minutes.

In that short space of time, he hugged and greeted fans and took a few minutes to pose for photographs.

He was also presented with a drawing of himself from Form Five art student Saniyah Bedeshi. However, he did not accept the drawing, but instead autographed it and returned it to Bedeshi.

Last night, Chronixx was expected to be hosted at a Meet and Greet and Pop Up Shop event at Vas Lounge in St Clair. Today he will visit St George’s College and Newsday will be present ro ‘live’ blog the event.

Chronixx and his band Zincfence Redemption will headline tomorrow’s concert at Skinner Park which also features Freetown Collective, Marlon Asher, Prophet Benjamin and Walshy Fire of Major Lazer.