What started out as a dance by Capleton and his friends, evolved into a concept which sees the Rastafarian artiste giving back to his native parish, the profit earned from his annual stage show, A St Mary Me Come.

This year marks the seventh staging of the event, which is set to take place on August 5 at the Gray's Inn Sports Complex, Annotto Bay, St Mary.

The man from St Mary, Capleton, at the centre of things talking about his brainchild, A St Mary Me Come From, the annual charity show in aid of the development of his parish which was launched on Tuesday. (Photos: Jermaine Barnaby)

The slew of artistes billed for this fund-raiser include Sizzla, Jah Cure, Beenie Man, Ninja Man, Coco Tea, I Wayne, Richie Spice, Gyptian, Munga, Macka Diamond, Lutan Fyah, Da'Ville, Pressure, Robert Ffrench, Tamlins, Capleton and many others.

A day and night affair, it swings into gear with a treat for children surrounding communities who will enjoy the free rides, snacks, food and drinks as well as back-to-school supplies.

"A St Mary Me Come From, has developed into a powerful message. It has also evolved into a powerful event, but it is now moving to become a philosophy, a philosophy in the sense that many artistes, many non-artistes see the need to do something....something from which they can generate some income that they can put back into the community. And that's what I mean, that it has now become a philosophy. It is going to the point of becoming a cosmic energy, because that is what Capleton brings to the fore," guest speaker/attorney at law, Michael Lorne said at Tuesday's launch.

"It's an example of Rastafari giving back blessings to the community," the Rastafarian lawyer added.

Over the past seven years, the deejay whose given name is Clifton Bailey, has demonstrated that there is something more to the rage within that often drives him to rain fire upon Babylon. Behind his anti-societal lyrical fury, is a deep concern for humanity, and that his explosive utterances are born of his social conscience and public-spiritedness.

"This is an event that marks Capleton's commitment to giving back to the parish from which he hails," Claudette Kemp, the fyah blazing deejay's personal manager said in her overview of, A St Mary Me Come From.

It is customary for entertainment events to be held in the name of some charitable cause, but at the end of day, no one except their unscrupulous promoters benefit from the profits. No so with this event. Capleton is one promoter who stands by his conviction and commitment.

"He was born and raised in the Islington District, and always dreams of being a positive influence on the growth and development of the parish," Kemp added, while emphasising that all the profits from the event are donated to various organisations and institutions within the parish. She said beneficiaries range from young children to adults, and the support given to hospitals and community-based institutions - the Port Maria Hospital which benefited from a brand new x-ray machine; Friendship All Age and Islington High Schools now have computer labs as a result of Capleton's humanitarian efforts.

In addition, there are the Jacks' River Primary, and the Baccas Wood Basic Schools, the Annotto Bay Hospital, the St Mary Police Youth Club, just some of the many organisations that have received support from the event. Claudette Kemp also pointed out that Capleton's altruism has been extended from his parish "to the world".

She noted that he has made contribution to the Haile Selassie High School, as well as donated funds from other shows to hurricane victims in addition to helping people on a daily basis.

"As Rastafari, not only just Rasta artistes, but Rasta community must always remember to pay dem dues and give them contribution. Because His Majesty, a weh we say. Salvation, redemption, Haile Selassie I, a di Almighty. Equal rights and justice fi all people, repatriation, restoration, liberation emancipation, self esteem, self awareness, self reliance self taught, self control, you name it," declared the man of the moment, Capleton himself.

"So dem wonda why hospital, and why school. But His Majesty stress pon education. Education is the ultimate, you understand, so we affi defend di youth dem. And Him sey, infant cared for, the aged protected. So people wonda why hospital, it's all about health and education, you dun know, Rastafari is the ultimate we affi just give His Majesty the glory," waxed the Fiyah Man in his own inimitable style before providing a glimpse of what to come by way of his performance.

This year's proceeds will go to the Port Maria Primary School, the Port Maria Hospital, the St Mary Police Netball and Football teams, and a recording studio for St Mary.

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