The Garnet Silk Legacy Fun Day will take place on Saturday, April 26, at Brook’s Park in Mandeville,  Manchester. 

Set to begin at 11 am, the event will see children from local schools benefit from school supplies and lunch vouchers, with select students receiving aid for CXC examination fees. 

Described as ‘more than a charity event’, the Garnet Silk Legacy Fun Day is a commemoration of a life well-lived, one that was steeped in gratitude and therefore impacted countless others throughout the world of Reggae. 

Garnet Silk was a forerunner of 90s-conscious Reggae, inspiring music lovers from around the world with his devotion to the Rastafari movement. Among his most notable tracks are classics like “Hello Africa” (Mama Africa); “It’s Growing”; “Zion in a Vision”; and the emotive tribute to his mother, dubbed “Mama”. Often called “The Silky One”, Garnet was at the forefront of the Rastafari resurgence of the 90s, converting fans and peers to join him in spreading the Word of Jah. Silk perished in a fire in 1994, along with his mother, Etega Gray. He would have been 59 years old on April 2. 

“The family is beyond ecstatic for the upcoming Legacy Day; it’s a chance to remember Garnet and all the lives he impacted for the better. It also gives us a chance to give a little back to his home parish and together celebrate his life and mission,” said Novlyn ‘Lovey’ Banton, Director of the Garnet Silk Foundation and former spouse of the beloved Reggae star. “Garnet did a lot of work in shifting the direction of music in the early 90s, and we believe telling his story will enlighten younger—and some older Reggae fans—of the indelible mark he left on music and some of their contemporaries today.” 

She added, referencing Silk’s direct impact on notable artistes who would also take the Reggae stage, spreading the message of Rastafari in the mid to late 90s—many of them still active today. 

The Garnet Silk Legacy Fun Day will feature various activities, including a Track and Field Competition, a Children’s Dance-off, a legacy Booth sharing the story of the legend’s life and career, and a noteworthy entertainment package. 

The day’s music will be provided by Sound Troopa alongside Conquering Lion. 

Fans of The Silky One are encouraged to come out in their numbers for a day of entertainment and gratitude. Expect a celebration of his life and contributions to Reggae and the community as a whole. 

Admission is free. 

The Garnet Silk Foundation was founded in honour of the late singer’s life and legacy to preserve his impact on the world of Reggae when he emerged on the music scene in the early 90s. Created by his wife and children, the Foundation aims to uphold Garnet’s message and core beliefs while giving back to communities that inspired his mission to improve the world.  

Garnet Silk Legacy Fun Day is sponsored by Major Marketing, Golf View Hotel, ESol, VP Records, Pon Top Seafood Bar & Grill, Rhythm Tracks Records, TasJay Productions, and True Colours Events.