Greater than three many years after the tragic dying of reggae icon Garnett Silk, his youthful brother Paul ‘Silk’ Casanova—aka Lij Amlak—is getting ready to open a cultural yard within the household’s hometown in Mandeville to honor Garnett’s life, music, and legacy.
Paul, who was severely injured in the identical home fireplace that claimed the lives of Garnett and their mom, Dulcie Gray, mentioned the venture, which will likely be named Silk Kulcha Yaad, will remodel the location right into a neighborhood house for reflection, music, and celebration.
“That floor is historic,” Paul informed Caribbean Nationwide Weekly throughout a current enterprise go to to New Jersey.
“When folks come, they have to really feel the vibes and see the respect we maintain for Garnett. It’s not simply in regards to the tragedy, it’s about celebrating his life and the message in his music,” he added.
A legacy marked by tragedy
Garnett Silk, remembered for timeless anthems akin to Hi there Mama Africa and It’s Rising, died on the age of 28 on December 9, 1994. The yr previous to his dying, Garnett had signed a global distribution cope with Huge Beat Information, a subsidiary of Atlantic Information. He was engaged on an album for the label when he tragically handed away. Songs from these classes have been later launched on the album titled “The Definitive Assortment”.
Three nights earlier than his dying, Silk was in Kingston and carried out on the Mirage nightclub, the place he shared the stage together with his good friend Richie Stephens, each delivering a scintillating efficiency. He then travelled to Mandeville to go to his mother. Experiences indicated {that a} shotgun by chance discharged and struck a gasoline cylinder on the home, triggering the blaze. Although he initially escaped, Garnet re-entered the burning home in a determined try to save lots of his mom, who was trapped inside. Each perished within the fireplace, a devastating blow to Jamaica and the worldwide reggae neighborhood.
Paul, who was current that night time, nonetheless carries the scars—each bodily and emotional.
“I went by ten years of stress. Psychological and bodily stress…it wasn’t straightforward,” he shared. “Once you lose your brother and your mom in a single night time, there aren’t any phrases. Solely the Almighty stored me going.”
Constructing the Kulcha Yaad
Now, Paul is concentrated on creating an enduring tribute. Via his Silk Kulcha Yaad Information, which he launched with distribution help from New York’s VPAL Music, he and his brother Omar Silk are already releasing new music. The following step is to develop the Mandeville yard right into a hub for Garnet’s followers and the broader reggae neighborhood.
“It will likely be a spot the place folks can maintain a vibes, take heed to music, and replicate,” Paul defined. “Little by little, we’re constructing it. It takes cash, however any assist we will get, we’ll take it. That is one thing for the folks and for future generations.”
Memorabilia from Garnett’s life could finally be included within the venture, although Paul stresses that such plans should align with the needs of Garnett’s youngsters and property.
“We wish to watch out and respectful,” he mentioned.
Paul can also be engaged on a soon-to-be-released autobiography.
“We’re engaged on a e book. We haven’t determined the identify of the e book but…We don’t wish to rush and do something. We simply wish to do it proper,” he shared.
A household custom continues
Music stays central to the Silk household’s identification. Paul and Omar have already launched singles akin to Don’t Disguise It, and Chilly Blooded Assassin, retaining the household’s lyrical custom alive. Alongside the cultural yard, Paul additionally operates a sound system named InnaVision, making certain Garnett’s message of affection, unity, and religious upliftment continues to resonate.
“Uncle Garnett used to say music is a rod—it’s not a joke factor,” mentioned Corey, a youthful Silk member of the family shared.
“After I really feel down, I simply placed on Garnett songs, and it lifts me proper again up. The Silk Kulcha Yaad will hold that spirit alive,” he added.
For Paul, the mission is straightforward: to pay ahead the sunshine that his brother shone so brightly, even in his quick time on earth.
“Garnett gave the world a message of affection and righteousness,” Paul reminisced. “Silk Kulcha Yaad is about retaining that fireside burning.”
