Maroon Queen Defends Black Consciousness With Garvey-Themed Show, ‘Africa Mi Deya’ On February 16

St Ann-based reggae singer Maroon Queen is a big believer in the power of black consciousness to uplift the minds of the youths.

She will be using her upcoming February 16th event, ‘Africa Mi Deya’, as a springboard to drive home the idea that Jamaicans need to return to their African roots.

“We’re doing a special tribute for Marcus Garvey during the event as we are celebrating our black fashion and culture in February which is also Reggae Month in Jamaica. We have to begin to love and embrace our roots, this is a really special year for Garvey, who is a son of St. Ann, as he was recently granted a pardon by the US president Biden,” Maroon Queen said.

President Joe Biden pardoned Garvey, more than 100 years after the conviction of one count of mail fraud. Garvey served nearly three years of a five-year sentence and was deported to Jamaica in 1927.

The ‘Africa Mi Deya’ show will feature the sashing of the North East contestant in the Ms. Jamaica Universe contest, a special guest appearance by Ms. Jamaica Universe 2024, Rachel Silvera. The event will be hosted by the Maroon Queen herself with a special guest performance by D’Angel.

“The teachings of Marcus Garvey are especially important now because of general hopelessness and the high crime rate. People are suffering and we need to cleave to the teachings and philosophy of Marcus Garvey to get through,” Maroon Queen said.

Later this year, Maroon Queen plans to do a school tour to underpin the ideals of her ‘Africa Mi Deya’ movement.

“We want to talk to students about their problems and help them to deal with peer pressures, and colourism, especially,” she said.

Maroon Queen, who is known for the single Black and Proud which deals with the negative connotations that some persons ascribe to the word ‘black’, has a long history of tackling social causes.

“It started with my song, Black and Proud. This song is always big on the radio in Black History month in February, which is also reggae month. I use the song as an educational tool for this upcoming generation. We still have issues with our race, loving and embracing ourselves,” she said.

Maroon Queen first made a name for herself with her R&B-Flavoured Roll With Me, and You Say.

She released her first EP, a seven-track effort Black N Proud in 2020 with several standout songs such as Thankful, and Nobody Knows My Pain, a tribute to music selector Nicko Chromatic who passed away after losing his battle with kidney disease.