Pulsating visuals and a mix of rich musical instruments, including the deep sounds of the drums and melodies of the saxophone, set the stage for an entertaining and rhythmic song and video launch by reggae artiste William “Meekie” Virgo.
The song and video, titled Home Sweet Home, encapsulates the rich Jamaican culture and heritage, and the beauty of the parish of St Thomas.
“Take a look in the manual of life,” a popular line from the song, encourages Jamaicans to remember the land of their birth, its rich and diverse culture, popular foods, and good vibe all around.
Meekie, who hails from the parish of St Thomas, but migrated to the United States several years ago, has been on a musical journey for over 20 years.
Unlike his musical anthems, Meekie is a man of few words, but he is excited about his newest project, produced by Steven Ellis of Majestic Productions.
“When I was growing up I was a fan of real authentic reggae music. I listened to the songs of Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Leroy Smart. In my songs, I have incorporated a mix of old-school reggae with the current genre of reggae music, and I am happy with what I have been able to achieve,” he said.
With quite a repertoire under his belt, Meekie is optimistic that his latest single will resonate with Jamaicans locally and in the Diaspora, and will eventually become a hit worldwide.
“Jamaica is our foundation and there is nowhere like home. When you live overseas and come to Jamaica for a visit, you feel renewed and refreshed. You get to see your family and friends and enjoy the cool vibes that is synonymous with our culture. For people who live here, it’s a nice feeling to go to the river and the beaches, partake of our culture, eat some nice food and enjoy life,” Meekie said.
Ellis is the producer of the track and owner of the Majestic Productions record label. His relationship with Meekie started several years ago, when he wore a different hat as a banker.
“I was involved in music as a young man, when I attended St. George’s College. I had a sound system called Point Blank, and we would play at many events for the school and otherwise. But life happened and I diverted into corporate Jamaica. However, two years ago, I started music again with a live show in the Harbour View community,” Ellis said.
The monthly live show that his efforts produced led him to start the production arm of the company, Majestic Production.
“Meekie came to a few of the live shows, and he reached out to me… [and] he said he was writing a few songs. When I heard the first line of the song, ‘…no place like home’, I was prompted to visit St Thomas immediately. When I heard the song in its entirety, I reached out to different producers and everyone said it is a hit,” Ellis shared.
The song and video launch was held at Dubwise Café on Lady Musgrave Road.
