Dancehall performer Skeng made a comeback to Guyana on Saturday as the main act of the ‘Real All Black’ concert held in Linden, nearly two years after being barred from performing in the country.
The artist, known formally as Kevon Douglas, entered the stage in a surgical gown before transitioning into his usual high-energy performance attire of jeans. True to his style, Skeng eventually shed the gown and delivered a dynamic set featuring popular tracks like "London," "Likkle Miss," and "Shalala." Newcomer Kaka Highflames also made a guest appearance, thrilling the audience with the hit "Flames Rock."
Despite the excitement, the concert faced challenges. According to reports by the Guyana Times, the police confiscated prohibited items from attendees, including 213 lighters, 27 pairs of scissors, nine ski masks, six pen knives, and one screwdriver.
The heightened security measures stem from a previous incident during Skeng’s performance at the 2022 ‘Baderation’ Dancehall concert in Georgetown, where unruly behavior led to chaos, including gunshots fired into the air and bottle throwing. Following this, Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, declared a ban on artists like Skeng, citing concerns about promoting violence.
Benn expressed intentions to remove Skeng’s music from Guyanese airwaves after derogatory remarks were made about the capital city. Skeng’s team responded by expressing surprise at the ban, emphasizing the need for tighter security measures rather than punitive actions against artists.
Earlier this year, Guyana also prevented ‘Trinibad’ artist KMan 6ixx from performing in the country. President Dr. Irfaan Ali addressed these issues during a CARICOM meeting, urging a collective effort to ensure Caribbean music promotes unity and positivity, opposing lyrics that incite violence.
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