Bottling incident not the norm for Luciano

Reggae artiste Luciano, while confirming that there was a bottle-throwing incident at a concert in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is emphasising that it was "out of the ordinary" and definitely does not reflect his normal reception in Africa.

Luciano, known as the Messenjah, has been unwavering in his support of Africa and all things African. He has consistently done conscious lyrics and has a huge fan base in certain parts of Africa, a continent he has toured many times.

"A lot of people may not know that I have a house in The Gambia and the people there accept me as one of their own. I have travelled to Ghana, where thousands come to meet me and attend my concerts. Up until now, my Africa experience has been among my greatest," Luciano declared.

Reports out of Port Harcourt stated that "Jamaican reggae icon, Luciano, was on Saturday night (December 17) pelted with empty water bottles by some youths that attended the closing of the 2011 Rivers State Carnival, popularly known as CARNIRIV, at the Liberation Stadium."

The original article labelled the youths' behaviour as "hostile", while comments under the article denounced the incident and noted that certain disruptive elements of that society would behave like that, especially at free events.

Unwelcoming

There were suggestions that the organisers should have known better than to put Luciano so far down on the programme, especially since there were many big-name African acts on the line-up and Port Harcourt is somewhat behind in their appreciation of reggae acts like Luciano.

Port Harcourt is also notorious for being unwelcoming to foreign acts.

As Luciano recalled, "A one man fling a one bottle and a one woman fling a phone to show their displeasure, and we know how that kind of behaviour is catching. However, when I started to talk to them they calmed down a bit and I sang One Way Ticket and they became receptive."

He pointed out that he felt that not enough thought was put into the running order by the organisers.

Asked if this experience has given him negative feelings towards Africa, Luciano was quick to respond, "Of course not."

"I believe that everything happens for a purpose and out of evil cometh good. Perhaps this will be a musical reawakening for the people in Port Harcourt and will usher in an era of greater appreciation of foundation, roots reggae. I certainly don't take it personal. In addition, the wonderful experiences I have of performing in Africa will overshadow this every time."

The carnival in Port Harcourt, Nigeria took place on December 17, 2011, after which Luciano returned to Jamaica for the Tarrus Riley and Friends free concert held at Emancipation Park in New Kingston on December 22.