Natures Way Entertainment revels in success of ‘We Won’t be Silent’
Since he started Natures Way Entertainment 16 years ago, Garfield Cowan has released compilation albums featuring dancehall music’s elite artistes. His latest project may contain his most successful song to date.
We Won’t be Silent, a provocative track by Kenyan singer Cathy Matete, is from Roots Rock Reggae, a various artistes collection released by Natures Way Entertainment last January. Inspired by a controversial incident in her country, it has earned her a Reggae Artiste Of The Year nomination at the August 7-8 Basadi In Music Awards in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This is big news for the South Florida-based Cowan, who is from Clarendon.
“This nomination brings greater recognition and credibility to the entire Roots Rock Reggae project because We Won’t Be Silent is a part of that body of work. When one song from the project receives international recognition, it shines a light on the entire riddim and every artiste involved,” Cowan told Observer Online. “It gives people another reason to discover the full project and understand the vision behind it.”
Matete — who was introduced to Cowan by a mutual friend — wrote We Won’t Be Silent following the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31 year-old teacher, in June 2025. Ojwang was arrested for criticising a senior member of the Kenyan police, and died in custody one day later in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
Six members of the Central Police Station, where the incident took place, were charged with murder. Their trial started July 20 in Nairobi.
Commercially, Natures Way Entertainment’s biggest project to date has been the Sweet Personality rhythm, released in 2013. It produced two big hits in Let Me Love You Tonight by Wayne Wonder and Wake Up by Jah Cure.
The Roots Rock Reggae album also has songs by Anthony B, Fantan Mojah/Zamunda, Ginjah and Turbulence.
Shekhinah of South Africa (What Are We); Undefynd Musiq of Zimbabwe (Beacon); Dimahr of South Africa (Ancient Waters); and Empress Deevyne of South Africa (You’re Worthy), are the other Basadi In Music Awards Reggae Artiste of The Year nominees.
