For the last 20 years, Kenny Morgan has been Belize's pre-eminent lyricist.
But in that time the songwriter, poet, musician, and outspoken political activist never released one single recording for sale. That is until now as Morgan is working on his first full album. The first single is "Sinista Minista" which debuted in March at the UDP's demonstration.
But more than catchy tunes and lyrics or even party politics, Morgan says his song isn't about red or blue. He likens 'Sinista Minista' to the kind of pointed protest music penned by the likes of Bob Marley, Capleton, or Anthony B.
Kenny Morgan, Rapper - 'Sinista Minister'
"The song was created in 1984 when I looked and saw the policies of the then administration were not as conducive to good Belizean living as I thought it could be. Now in 2004 we find that the situation has come full circle and once again the song is relevant. We find ourselves at the disposal of an administration that doesn't seem to be very caring about the populace in general. As the song says, 'Sinista Ministas' abound in this administration that so there is no one particular minister that it is aimed at so you can just take your pick. Sinista ministers abound."
"I know that they are many people who would look at the track and see it as being a piece of political music. I would like to reiterate that the only line in the song that mentions anything political is when it actually brings together Belizeans from all walks of life and from both sides of the flag - the line says 'both PUP and UDP alike are feeling the pressure.' Like I said earlier, we as artists need to utilize our art form as much as possible to represent the view and interest of the people as much as possible."
"Throughout all musical genres and across the spectrum you will find artists putting out what internationally is know as protest music. In Belize we have a tendency to want to politicize all the issues and if it is not a UDP thing - it has to be a PUP thing. This is not a UDP or a PUP thing. It's about the people and its only putting out the words that I am hearing each and everyday in my travels from the Belizean people."
'Sinista Minister' is available at most music outlets including the Record shack and Venus. The track is also in rotation on KREM and WAVE radios.
Morgan is still working on the full album and hopes to have it out by early summer.