'Musketeers' keep going

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Since the fatal shooting of O'Neil Edwards, the remaining two members of Voicemail have come to terms with his death.

The duo now says music is their medicine. The times have been good and bad for the group since the tragic incident took place, and according to them, they are making the best of it.

When asked if the group would remain with two members or if they would be adding another, they laughed hysterically and exclaimed, "Two? We are a group, it's still three of us. O'Neil is still here. Maybe not physically in this space but he's here. We are just blessed now to have our own angel looking down on us. Him a guh deh deh, nobody else nah tek him place."

COPING WITH O'NEIL'S ABSENCE

Not having O'Neil in the studios with them or on shows and interviews is still a surreal feeling for the two deejays, but it is something they are slowly learning to cope with.

"It's a rocky road. We have our good moments. It hit us this morning when we went to the German Embassy to sort out our visas for our European tour and also when we came here for this interview. We were joking about it on our way here but it still hurts, but it's all just a part of life's journey," said a teary-eyed Craig Jackson.

According to the duo, their almost jubilant mood is guided by the spiritual embodiment of O'Neil. "Is still three ah we, O'Neil nuh deh yah physically but he's here. It's our dream for the three of us, it's just that O'Neil passed on before this dream was completed but it will be fulfilled in the eyes of his daughter, Neahlis," said Kevin Blair.

The group has also released two tribute songs for Edwards: One Life to Live which was recorded before his death, the other, Praise his name which was sung as a tribute to O'Neil by other artistes at his memorial service.

They have also started a project called Injecting Change where they will be focusing on the youth of Jamaica, encouraging them to channel their energies into more positive projects.

"Plans for this project are under way and a number of artistes are getting involved because, as they say, the artistes are influential on the yutes and so we are trying to inject positive change," the group said.

The future

The two admitted that the sound of their music would change and is changing to reflect more positive messages, although they will continue to do dance songs.

Craig admits, "There's a lot going on inside of me and Kevin and so we will be expressing that through our music." With no plans on pursuing solo careers, though Jackson has been gaining increased solo success, apparent with his Show It collaboration with Demarco which debuted on BET 106 and Park, the two told The Gleaner they are set to leave the island on July 23, a day after Sumfest, for a month-long European tour.

They also informed that the group's album entitled The Next Level would not be released next month but has been pushed back with no set date.

"It (the album) is in tribute to O'Neil and me ah tell unu dis from now, if you never hear Voicemail before, unnu going to hear we now," boasted Jackson.

The remaining members also agreed that money, which would have gone to Edwards, would be going to his pride and joy - daughter Neahlis Edwards.