SLICE BREAD wrote:

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Mavado - file photos

The 'I Come In Peace' stage show aimed at closing the divide between 'Gaza' and 'Gully' supporters was missing a key element last Friday, but the organiser believes the objective was met.

Vybz Kartel, who THE STAR was told was previously booked for another show, did not turn up for the concert at the Port Henderson Beach in Portmore, which was to be a symbol of unity between himself and music rival Mavado.

"Mavado came and performed great. Kartel did not turn up but they played a whole ton of his songs to show the coming together," said Dr Japheth Ford, Chairman of the National Action Coalition.

Vybz Kartel's publicist Claude Mills said while they had been informed of last Friday's show, they had not confirmed a performance as Kartel was previously booked for another show.

violence free

Dr Ford said the concert was violence-free and the police was co-operative, allowing the event to run until daybreak.

Prior to the concert, Dr Ford had said he would put on another concert in Kingston if Vybz Kartel failed to attend last Friday's.

"We want to put on one (concert) on Mavado's side. The problem we are having is finding the venue that is big enough. We haven't spoken to him (Vybz Kartel) since. I think the next time he will come," Ford told THE STAR.

"This sets the stage for moving forward. Everything good, everything positive. We are moving where we want to move. Everybody is looking to come together."

During his performance, Mavado was joined onstage by fellow 'Gully artistes' Flexxx, Kibaki and Chase Cross. Veterans Echo Minott and Professor Nuts also performed.

Vybz Kartel

There has been increased national attention on Vybz Kartel and Mavado over the last few months, as several social disturbances have been linked to the Gully/Gaza feud.

Reverend Herro Blair, head of the Peace Management Initiative, recently met with Mavado and Vybz Kartel on separate occasions and expects to meet with them again soon.

"I met with Vybz last Tuesday and met with Mavado the week before. I expect to meet with both of them and their management sometime during the course of this week," Blair said.

He was, however, reluctant to state what was discussed in the meeting and how the artistes plan to resolve their differences.

Mavado's manager, Julian Jones-Griffiths also attended the meeting but was not willing to say much either.

"Me, him (Blair) and Mavado, we discussed some ideas for ways we could move forward. I don't really want to get into specifics as yet," he said.

Dr Ford also told THE STAR he has plans to have a meeting with both artistes in the near future.

-- Edited by SLICE BREAD on Tuesday 1st of December 2009 04:39:37 PM

 

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