Entertainers pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman - Don’t be mad with 2020 – Tony Rebel
Published:Monday | August 31, 2020 | 12:10 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
B lack Panther star Chadwick Boseman passed away from colon cancer at age 43 and Jamaican entertainers have joined the world in paying tribute to T’Challa, “a righteous king, noble avenger, and fearsome warrior”, who ruled over the fictional land of Wakanda.
Leading the tributes on social media was singer Tony Rebel, who posted a picture of the ‘Black Panther’, along with a reflective piece. “Man’s achievements in this world can be best remembered if the monument they left for their people was erected upon a spiritual foundation. When your contribution influences the life and progress of posterity, your monumental energy will be permanent,” Rebel stated.
To those who have been blasting the year 2020 as a curse, he said, “Don’t be mad with 2020. The universe is doing what it intended to do; we, on the other hand, are doing the opposite of our mandate. Let’s look, listen and learn from every moment of it. Have more regard for life. Live every day as if it’s your only day. Make choices to preserve your soul. And be at peace with yourself.”
Reggae artiste Anthony B also reflected on life. “Purpose of life is more than money! One day we will see! #Life #Energy #Love. May peace be with you. RIP,” he said alongside a video clip of Boseman telling a graduating class that “purpose is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time”. Anthony B advises, “Stand up for something or you will fall for anything.”
ETANA’S MESSAGE
Grammy-nominated reggae singer Etana was brief and she made reference to Boseman’s four-year secret battle with colon cancer. “RIP King @chadwickboseman, you gave us the Black Panther and other movies while undergoing treatment for cancer. Your legacy will live on forever ... .True strength.”
“I feel extremely sad. SIP brother,” Ce’Cile said.
Queen Ifrica, who is always very vocal, voiced her opinion through ‘borrowed words’. On Instagram, she posted video clips and also said. “This was Chadwick Boseman’s last live appearance on social media four months ago. He went live from his Instagram page speaking about an initiative called Operation 42, which aimed to help hospitals that serve African American communities during the coronavirus pandemic. The comments on the video were of fans showing concern about his rapid weight loss, many believed he was losing weight for an upcoming movie role. After the video, many people made memes and jokes about his weight loss which caused him to delete the video completely. Could you imagine fighting for your life while the rest of the world makes fun and you don’t even bother to tell them what’s really going on? You just continue to work, fight and suffer in silence? This man was a superhero in REAL life. Rest up, King T’Challa. Job Well Done! BTW, these are not my words, just to note.”
She added, “Rest good, young king. Upfull Sabbath … life is a journey, walk good.”
Chadwick Boseman’s death was announced Friday evening by his family from his Twitter account and, in a tribute fit for a king, it has become the most liked tweet of all time on Twitter.
And, Chadwick Boseman’s story is incomplete without Denzel Washington, who had paid Boseman’s tuition, without even knowing him. In paying tribute to Washington at a special ceremony, Boseman had stated, “There is no Black Panther without Denzel Washington. Let he who has awarded be awarded. May God bless you exceedingly and abundantly more in what’s in store than he has ever had before.” Clearly heartbroken, Washington posted on social media, “Words can’t begin to describe the pain that many of us, especially his family, are feeling right now. Hard to imagine the quiet pain and struggle you went thru all these years, yet still you shined and motivated us all. Live like a superhero, die like a Legend. Rest in power, KING.”