AS a child, Randolph Bogle Jnr wondered why St Thomas was stigmatised as Jamaica’s ‘worst’ parish, even though it produced noted people, like his ancestor and National Hero Paul Bogle and industrialist Robert Lightbourne.
Now, as deejay Elgoba, he puts the plight of his hometown up front with the recently released song Bogle Walk.
Its video has a re-enactment of his famous ancestor’s October 1865 walk from Stony Gut to Spanish Town. It also highlights the now dilapidated courthouse where Bogle was tried and hung that same month and year for his role in the Morant Bay uprising.
Elgoba said he went all out to show the neglect St Thomas has suffered over many years in song and video.
“The parish don’t get nuh recognition. St Thomas mus’ be di only parish without stoplight or a clock. This a gwaan long time,” he told Splash.
Produced by Dannie Downie, Bogle Walk is released on Elgoba’s Stony Gut Records, another nod to his heritage.
Growing up in Whitehall district, Elgoba was always aware of the Bogle impact on St Thomas and Jamaica through oral family tales or research at libraries.
His father, Randolph Snr, is a great-great grandson of Paul Bogle, a Baptist deacon who was made a National Hero in 1969.
The older Bogle also operated a sound system which featured deejay Chicken Chest, Elgoba’s maternal uncle and biggest musical influence.
Most of his career has been in Canada, where he migrated to 17 years ago. He started in entertainment as Bruno Links, but had a change in moniker four years ago.
Elgoba’s previous songs, which include Never Let You Go, Bad Outa Road andAttitude, were released in Canada.
