Senegalese Reggae Artist Meta Supports Vaccination Even Though Most Rastas Are Anti-Vaxxers
Senegalese artist Meta is bucking the trend of Rastafarian artists opposing vaccination. He mirrors the views of Prime Minister Andrew Holness that technological advancements were granted to humans by God.
“Whatever knowledge that man has acquired, it is the Most High who bestowed the knowledge to them. You have to open your minds to the science, the vaccine is out there worldwide, I have faith that the scientists are humans and have good intentions; they don’t want to poison the world. I am confident that the science will win the day, we all took vaccines growing up in Senegal and we’re still standing,” he said.
Meta reasoned that ancient civilizations relied on medical observation to identify herbs, drugs and therapies that worked, and those that did not. And this new vaccine is going through the same ‘trial and error’ process.
“With this vaccine, as it is with most medication, it is 50-50 like with all other products of pharmaceutical companies, it can go either way but I feel good about this vaccine,” he said.
Most Rastafarian artists are vehemently opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine. Tony Rebel recently squared off with some of his Instagram followers after he praised the anti-vax protesters who appeared in a video clip of a gathering in May Pen, Clarendon.
He is particularly incensed that the government appears to be infringing on the rights of the people.
“The Science is fluid right now that’s understandable! My greatest fear is that people’s Rights are being taken away from them. Separation is the order of the day. Vax and unvaccinated are all still vulnerable. That’s where I work from. How scientific was the Tuskeegee experiment ? The word eugenics still in the dictionary and Still working Among us. We can’t just believe we must know !!” he noted.
There is a strong vaccine hesitancy among Jamaicans which has pushed public discourse on making the taking of the jab mandatory, although Prime Minister Holness has repeatedly said the Government is not yet at that point.
In the meantime, Meta is promoting his latest album, Dia (pronounced Jah in French) which will be released on all digital platforms via VPAL Music this Friday September 17th.
Meta describes the album as “beautifully crafted and full of passion for music and message, bouncing riddims and sweet harmonies to the rising sun”.
“In the French language, dia is pronounced Jah but in the French way of writing coming from Senegal it is reflecting what is going on, not only addressing the negative situation, but a message of forgiveness , that is where we can heal. Big up Africans here and abroad, be proud of who we are as black people,” he said.
He insisted on using traditional sounds from Senegal and mixing it with reggae.
“This is to bridge the African diaspora and the Caribbean diaspora,” he explained.
Meta said his home country has handled the COVID-19 pandemic well so far.
“In the beginning, we had very low numbers, but the second wave was a big jump but not catastrophic, in Senegal, we make jokes about the strong vibration in our bodies to deal with disease. Still, we have family members who have adverse effects but it is not that terrible in terms of the number of cases here in Senegal so I sympathize with what is happening in Jamaica “ he said.
Meta hopes that his Dia album will provide solace to people hurting in the pandemic.
“The tracks take you to the dark side of this time and planet – racism, poverty, war, destruction of the environment. But it does not leave you in the valley of rage and revenge,” he reasoned.
The album is underpinned by the teachings of Haile Selassie, a superb package filled with the finest sounds and ideas from Dakar to Jamaica to New York and the rest of the globe.
Track List:
- Liberation
- Two Pockets
- Conqueror
- Majesty (Feat. SumeRR)
- Riser
- Boomerang Love
- By Your Side
- Concrete Jungle (Feat. Julian Marley & Malik Work)
- Try Me
- Love in the Ghetto
- Cells
- Breeze
- Red Eyes
- Victory
- Trespass (Feat. The Skankin Monks)
- Free (Feat. Mirna Haje)