Emperor sings for the beach: Artiste to host birthday bash in aid of restoration

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

No artiste had a bigger influence on Hopeton Lawrence when he was growing up in the Westmoreland district of Whithorn than reggae legend Bob Marley.

Now a roots deejay who goes by the moniker, Emperor, he gets the chance to pay homage to his hero in the form of music and charity.

Emperor, who turned 38 on Friday, will celebrate the occasion with a live show today at the Bob Marley Beach in Nine Miles, Bull Bay. It features several big names such as Sizzla, Junior Reid and Fantan Mojah.

Emperor told The Gleaner that the event will be used to raise funds to help renovate sections of the beach which have fallen into disrepair.

"It's more than a birthday celebration, it's a small contribution to the upliftment of the beach," he said. "Wi want it back to the status wey tourists can come an' enjoy themselves."

high school memories

Emperor moved to Bull Bay in 1998 and lived there until recently when he relocated to Kingston. Bull Bay holds a special place in the Marley story, as he lived there for a time in the early 1970s.

The coastal town, which leads into the parish of St Thomas, has long been home to a big Rastafarian community.

The dreadlocked Emperor said he was also inspired by Capleton and Stitchie during his years as a student at Mannings High School.

After moving to Kingston in the early 1990s, he kicked off his recording career two years later with the song Hot Again for producer Garfield 'Sampalue' Phillips' Diamond Rush label.

He next went to singer/producer Cocoa Tea's Roaring Lion label for which he recorded several songs including Fly Low and a deejay take on the Junior Byles classic, Fade Away.

Following his time with Roaring Lion, Emperor renewed ties with Diamond Rush. Red, Gold and Green has been the most successful recording of his second stint with that label.