Cruel remembered for his humour, rhymes, ardour for music | Leisure

On coming into the compound of the St Gabriel’s Anglican Church, the place the service for Leonard ‘Cruel’ Bartley was held final Saturday, it was apparent that it was going to be a funeral service with a distinction. The gate was manned by safety guards, and on the best way to the church corridor, one other stood in theshade, sustaining order as he saved the stage space free, turning away annoyed vloggers who tried to squeeze into the cramped house.

In tribute to the late deejay’s ‘Warlord’ persona, male family members have been attired in army-looking fatigue, just like that worn by Cruel on the well-known Sting 2000 conflict, the place he was touted as killing Ninjaman, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man in a single fell blow.

The tributes, which have been principally in track, touched the feelings; nonetheless, Sharon Fielding, from the Wooden Corridor Church of God of Prophecy, modified the sombre temper to one among rejoicing and dancing as she engaged the viewers in a reward medley.

All through the service, the unfolding tributes confirmed the softer aspect of the deejay’s character, the devoted son, brother and uncle, in addition to the comedian and the loyal buddy.

For dancehall star and actor Spragga Benz, “Leonard was my brother, was the one one that noticed him in a spot and volunteered to assist”. His touching acapella rendition stated all of it concerning the respect and love he had for the late deejay.

“Leonard, sleep with angels, could your spirit relaxation in peace …. till my little coronary heart cease beating, there’ll at all times be a spot for you…” Spragga Benz stated.

Mr Lexx, whose friendship with Cruel “goes means again”, remembered him as a grasp rhymer and one who was at all times joking. He credit the deejay for grooming him to be the particular person he’s as we speak.

“He was such an amusing particular person. Everyting whey you sey, him rhyme it. To me, him a di best rhymer ever inna dancehall,” he declared in a one-on-one with The Gleaner.

Clarendonian recording artiste and buddy of the deejay, Ricardo Suave, hailed Cruel for his precision with lyrics and songwriting.

“He was a spectacular songwriter, essentially the most phenomenal lyricist the dancehall sport has ever seen; his rhymes are means out of this world,” Suave stated in reward.

The lesson that he’ll take away from the time spent with Cruel is the Mama Cooking deejay’s tenacity in standing agency within the presence of hassle and nice opposition.

Veteran artiste Demus, in paying tribute, reminisced on Mercilesss’s sense of humour and love of drama.

“Mi folks, Jah know, all if mi by no means have a automobile mi woulda haffi stroll and attain yah suh. Yow, mi a inform yuh di reality, de yout’ yah is one a di best reggae dancehall music ambassador in Jamaica. Cruel run di most joke inna di music fraternity, him give di most snicker inna music fraternity,” Demus knowledgeable as he mimicked a few of his mannerisms, giving a second of comedian aid to the mourners.

Kiera Mitchell, Cruel’ niece, shared within the eulogy how her uncle was so hooked on music that as early as age 10, he and his sister Jacqueline would steal out of the home to attend leisure occasions. Not even the beating that was administered after may forestall him from doing it time and again.

It was that keenness that noticed him ditching the plumbing talent his father insisted on to pursue music.

Among the many different leisure personalities who turned out to point out their final respects to Cruel have been Little Hero, Ricky Trooper, Claude ‘Massive Stone’ Sinclair, Fantan Mojah, Twin of Twins and Wasp.

Cruel’ closing resting place on the household plot in Turners district will guarantee his legacy lives on by way of the one-of-a-kind mausoleum, which is the brainchild of his older brother, Leroy, and uncles. Leroy notes that the construction will function a museum in addition to accommodate annual birthday occasions for his brother.

Cruel was discovered mendacity face down unresponsive on Tuesday, July 19, at a lodge on Walker Avenue in Kingston. His post-mortem report was deemed “inconclusive”.