At midnight tomorrow Belize turns 25. Most will watch the fireworks and leave the celebrating for Thursday. But we hazard a guess that several thousand Belizeans will spend the early hours of their Independence Day at the City Center for the what promoters are calling the sequel to February's Reggae Fest. Keith Swift was at the airport to find out what big name artists will be spending Independence Day with us.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This morning the reggae quartet "TOK" along with their band "303" arrived in Belize via this American Airlines flight from Miami. One half of the collective, Flex and Craig T were the first off the plane and they were met by concert promoter Edith Tesecum. But this year there would be no VIP Room. Flex and Craig T along with Alex and Ray C had to, like any other passenger, take the long walk to immigration and customs.
Half hour later they emerged. It wasn't a VIP welcome but it was official as Her Worship the Mayors of Belize City Zenaida Moya was on hand and she did the official welcome in the airport parking lot.
Zenaida Moya, Mayor of Belize City
"I would just like to welcome all of you guys to Belize City. I hope you have a very pleasant stay. Belizeans are very hospitable and definitely we will ensure that you are well taken care of and we are looking forward to hearing all of you at the concert and I know Belizeans will be there."
And to make sure Mayor Moya shows up, she was given a private preview.
This is TOK's second trip to Belize. The first was a couple years ago. The group says they are happy to be back.
Keith Swift,
How does it feel to be back in Belize?
Craig T, Member of TOK
"Good. We love Belize, we love the ladies in Belize."
It is obvious the energy and enthusiasm of the foursome hasn't changed but Flex says some things have changed. One is that the group has gone from singing about "burning down chi chi man" to more socially conscious tunes.
Keith Swift,
How has the group changed since the last time you were here?
Flex, Member of TOK
"Well some of us hair got longer and some of us just have none...[laughs.] But at the same time we have just basically grown as song writers and as artists and you will see it at the performance."
Keith Swift,
But the last time you guys were singing about Chi Chi Man. What has changed?
Flex,
"We don't sing about 'chi chi man.' We did a song and that was that. It is not like we made our career off of that thing. But if you notice, we are doing a lot of one drop and a lot of songs with messages these days because at the same time, eventhough you come to enjoy yourself, we have to still leave a message for the people them to work with."
TOK will share the stage tomorrow night with Tony Matterhorn. He needs no introduction. You can simply call him "Mr. Fully Loaded." This is Tony Matterhorn's second trip to Belize. You wouldn't know it by looking at him casually sitting down and having a smoke but Tony is currently riding the wave of an international dance phenomenon he created with his 'Dutty Wine.' We actually met him at the airport waiting on TOK since he arrived on an earlier flight through Central America.
Tony Matterhorn, Reggae DJ
"What can I say? Dutty Wine has the ladies around the world just dancing and the ladies need to get back involved with the dancehall so we just took our liberties and did the song and everybody just got back involved."
Keith Swift,
So what to expect tomorrow night?
Tony Matterhorn,
"Well as I said, it is festival time, carnival time, bacchanal, anniversary, and independence in one so you just come out to party. The family can come out, the can bring his wife, and just come out and enjoy themselves and this is what we call a long weekend. So Belize this is your official long weekend. We are going to start the party from tonight, then tomorrow night, and the next night straight into independence and the day after independence."
Keith Swift,
Well that is when we have to go back to work.
Tony Matterhorn,
"Yeah we have to go back to work Friday so some of the people who have a hang over and won't go to work, call in sick." [Laughs]
Reggae crooner Anthony B and female DJ Macka Bee are also scheduled to perform. They arrive tomorrow. If you are wondering, the VIP Room was unavailable for TOK because it was already booked out to dignitaries arriving for Independence Day activities.
