Reggae music: Super star says PH can match Jamaica

Port Harcourt has been described as a hidden treasure in the reggae genre of the music industry. This was disclosed by an international reggae star, Jah Device, who performed in the Garden City in the 45th Bob Marley anniversary show in Port Harcourt.

Jah Device, who has over 80 songs to his name with some international albums, said the Bob Marley remembrance show in the Garden City was a huge success more so because those invited showed up and the crowd was something else.

The second, according to him, was the enthusiasm and consummate interest he said he saw in the crowd. “I thought people would run away but they stayed back to enjoy the whole thing and you can imagine an event going all the way from 6pm to about 5am. Wow. It’s been a while since I saw anything like that.

“The only time I saw this was in Jamaica. And I’m seeing it here in Port Harcourt, which means Port Harcourt really has the potential of becoming a big music city and investment hub. It will mean that people from all over the world can come to Port Harcourt and celebrate themselves and have a good time.”

Plateau-born Jah Device, who was born Vincent Kaweng Nyam, said his stage name is ‘I Am Device’, aka, Jah Device. He said his schooling from primary to tertiary education (where he studied accounting) was in Plateau State.

Jah Device told BusinessDay in an exclusive interview that he has used music to fight terror, saying, ‘Music is my own tool, and its value cannot be overemphasized.”

He said the need for music cannot be overemphasized in the economy of any country or any group, even in Mecca, where music is building the economy. “So when I talk about music and Plateau State particularly, we just finished having what they call ‘Count Down to New Year’. It is one of the biggest events they had. Most businesses recorded high patronize and volumes. Restaurants boomed.”

He said he performed there, and saw the mammoth crowd that attended. “So, when more musicians come up, it opens up doors for more employments, investments, etc. I alone employ 20 persons in my band.”

Naming the pillars of Nigeria’s music industry, he said music in Nigeria survives on private efforts. He named the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, as one of the pillars of the music industry. “He happens to be a brother close to the heart. He also was my classmate, my schoolmate, my friend, in fact a bosom friend. We were in the same dormitory back in the days. Also in same music group. We formed a music group afterwards.

“I can see that his philosophies have never changed. He believes everyone can become bigger and greater. I can see how attached he is to the growth of the entertainment industry and housing. He’s passionate about housing, he’s equally passionate about the entertainment industry.”

He commended the Mayor for holding strong to the baton without looking back. “He actually is the reason why I’m able to make it to Port Harcourt because when the organizers of this 45th Bob Marley’s celebration in Port Harcourt approached me. Kudos to him. I just pray that people realize the potential in such a person, and key into his business which is real estate. I’m so happy with what he’s doing with Alesa Highland Sustainable Green Smart City project and pray that everything goes well with the whole venture.”