Pekeyanguu - the singing attorney

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

As an attorney-at-law, Everton Bird is well known in the corridors of Jamaica's courts. What is not known, is that his musical name is Pekeyanguu. Similar to when he is in court, he looks for justice through his music as well.

After he graduated from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Bird began exploring his love for music.

The lawyer began recording in 1985 when he recorded his first single, Apartheid Live Every Time A Team Tour Down There.

He said the single enjoyed heavy rotation on radio stations worldwide and he believes it was instrumental in toppling the system of apartheid in South Africa.

'"Some 200 other recordings of similar nature from various artistes were to follow. Among those artistes were Stevie Wonder, Alpha Blondie and UB40," Bird said.

He recorded the album Up From Nowhere in 1988. Four years later, as a practising attorney, he was at it again with a collaboration entitled Certain Things Can't Celebrate with Tony Rebel.

Timely music

"This was the year some parts of the Caribbean were celebrating the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus in the New World. It was timely," Pekeyanguu said.

When the walls of apartheid crumbled in 2007, Pekeyanguu was at it again with Afrikan Hellocaust.

He would later record A Brand New Haiti. This single was Pekeyanguu's way of paying homage to the unparalleled history of the Caribbean island.

In his closing argument, he rested his case on the premise that music is a powerful force that all should defend.