The messenger, Jepther McClymon, who carries the stage name ‘Luciano’, was the main artiste for HempFest 2019 held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost van Dyke on July 13, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

A section of the crowd at HempFest 2019 held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost van Dyke on July 13, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

The Virgin Islands very own, Jason A. Frett aka ‘Ritical’, performing at HempFest 2019 held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost van Dyke on July 13, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

Jalon Manson Shortte aka ‘JahLand’ of St Vincent performing at HempFest 2019 held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost van Dyke on July 13, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

Supporters of HempFest 2019 on Jost van Dyke. Photo: Team of Reporters

One of the vendors at HempFest 2019 held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost van Dyke on July 13, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

Fresh organic produce on sale at Foxy's HempFest 2019 held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost van Dyke on July 13, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

One of the vending booths at HempFest 2019 held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost van Dyke on July 13, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

One of the vendors at HempFest 2019 held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost van Dyke on July 13, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters

The messenger, Jepther McClymon, who carries the stage name “Luciano”, was the main artiste for the event held at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar. While the crowd responded positively to the performance of the Jamaican artiste, there was almost equal appreciation for the messages in the music of the supporting artistes, including the Virgin Islands very own, Jason A. Frett aka ‘Ritical’ and The Revolution Band.

Those in attendance included persons lending their voices to the call for cannabis to be decriminalised in the Virgin Islands. While Rastafarians are lobbying for its legalisation as part of their religion/culture, others believe in its medicinal values. For another group, it is the recreational use that is important to them, while others believe there are economic gains to be derived from its legalisation.

‘Pray for the world’

Luciano, during his more “spiritual” reggae performance that saw him doing a few songs from his new album, was critical of the negative lyrics being produced today.

The reggae artiste also appealed to patrons to pray for the world as he blasted President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, while questioning his motive for meeting leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, sharing fears the two could be the masterminds of World War III.

The earlier part of the day saw patrons treated to dancehall type music, featuring Ayana Phillips aka “Lady Mix” on the turntable, while venders and patrons alike revelled, ate, drank, and for the most part engaged vendors in the conversation on the various uses of cannabis and its by-products.

Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and US Virgin Islands Senator, Positive T. A. Nelson were among those present and engaged patrons and vendors.