After closing a tour of the United States on September 9, 2001, Luciano and Mikey General headed home to Jamaica the following day. On September 11, the roots singers watched on television, one of the most tragic events in history.

Terrorists struck three locations in the United States — the World Trade Center in New York, The Pentagon in Virginia and part of Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people died in the twin towers of the World Trade Center when two planes manned by al-Qaeda flew into them.

“Thing is, they had asked us to stay on (in the US) for a few days but Luciano sey no, him waan guh home. If wi did stay, wi woulda stranded for a long time,” Mikey General told Observer Online.

The chaos that ensued following what became known as 9/11 affected all forms of travel, as US Homeland Security struggled to identify perpetrators behind the attacks. The music industry was no exception, with major acts like U2, Aerosmith, Madonna and Janet Jackson canceling or postponing tours.

When Jamaican artistes resumed touring in 2002, it was mainly to Europe. Some Rastafarian performers were reportedly harassed by immigration officers at airports.

“I think some a man dem used to get harass at di airport, ‘cause immigration want dem tek off dem turban an’ search it. We neva get any exceptional harassment,” Mikey General recalled.

Describing 9/11 as a “terrible, heart-rending event”, the London-born artiste said there was no fear when he and Luciano returned to the road.

“Dis work is di Almighty work, an’ wi have to deliver di message which is what wi did,” said Mikey General.

By November 2001, US authorities detained 1,200 persons connected to the 9/11 attacks. They included Khalid Shaikh Muhammed, believed to be a mastermind behind the events.