Liburd and Astaphan Square Off on Music Festival Feedback
ZIZ News — On Saturday, Jamaican-born reggae artist Freddie McGregor spoke highly of St. Kitts, saying that the island had undergone significant development since his last visit.
Another music festival artist who spoke highly of his time on St. Kitts was American R&B singer, Tyrese Gibson. On Facebook, Gibson posted a photo of him with St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas with the caption “had a great meeting and conversation today with the Prime Minister of St Kitts. We discussed big plans and ideas for the island that the locals will greatly benefit from. Prayers and follow up will get this done. Please meeting you Dr. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas speak soon…. #dreamchaser #voltronmoviestudioplans”
Notwithstanding, Dwyer Astaphan, a known affiliate of the opposition Team Unity Coalition, has chastised McGregor and Gibson for their kind words about St. Kitts and its economy.
“You remember Wyclef Jean who had come here four and a half years earlier during the 2010 elections to endorse Douglas? Just like him, Freddie McGregor and Tyrese Gibson don’t have the slightest clue as to what’s happening in St. Kitts. For me, it’s pathetic when artists come here and disrespect our intelligence,” Astaphan said.
He then accused Prime Minister Douglas of coercing the performers’ remarks about the island.
“This is a sign of Douglas’ desperation. He cannot find enough civic minded, politically conscious, sensible and objective citizens and residents to endorse him so he wants to target those of us who he thinks are gullible so they might be seduced by an endorsement of him by the Freddie McGregors of this world and the Tyrese Gibsons of this world,” Astaphan added.
Meantime, Chairperson of the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party, the Honourable Marcella Liburd condemned Astaphan’s comments. She was at the time speaking as a guest on the ‘Good Morning St. Kitts-Nevis’ radio programme.
“I’m hearing that Tyrese and Freddie McGregor, they tell them what to say, maybe Douglas pay him and all, pay them to say whatever they say because nobody could say anything positive about the country,” Minister Liburd said sarcastically adding that “Because it’s as though people can’t see for themselves. People can’t see for themselves all the development that’s taking place in the country so somebody had to pay Tyrese or tell them what to say.”
Freddie McGregor and Tyrese Gibson were featured on last Saturday’s edition of the 18th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival at the Warner Park Stadium.