Cleveland’s Impact on Reggae QT (aka Cutie) at Sting 2003

This is one of many brushes that Cleveland has had with the world of Reggae music.  It involves a youth and unusual timing and opportunity.   What are the chances that a youth at age seven would have a chance to perform with Beenie Man on stage and then be offered the opportunity to fly down to Jamaica and perform at Laing’s Sting Concert that same year?

In 2003, Beenie Man visited Cleveland and performed at The Cotton Club on Miles Road.  Before the show he had been introduced to a seven year old youth named QT.  QT was very young but able to dj lyrics well, understood techniques to get a crowd going and also had charisma.  During the Cotton Club show, Beenie Man brought QT out on stage and the crowd loved him – forward upon forward and laughter rang throughout the crowd.

After this show, Beenie Man spoke with QT’s family and invited QT to appear at the 12-26-03 Boxing Day Sting Concert.  Later that year, QT appeared at Sting.  Beenie Man completed his set and brought out another youth, who appeared to be very young.  Next, Beenie called for QT.  QT walked out on the stage and was even younger in age and appearance than the former youth.  As Beenie Man supplied the introduction, QT stood in front of the crowd estimated at 35,000 and broke into a dance, shaking his body and contorting his face.  Then QT gave some lyrics and continued on without hesitation.  His eyes lit up and he rocked to the riddim.  QT was obviously enjoying himself and was not hesitant or shy – he was there to perform.  After that performance, QT walked off stage and was quickly hailed back by Beenie to supply more lyrics.  QT took the mic and immediately dj’d “Bun a Chi Chi” lyrics to the pleasure and laughter of the crowd.  QT even gave some “Cleveland lyrics,” as he dj’d.  What a performance.

It’s not known if Beenie Man ever recorded QT.  QT returned to Cleveland, Ohio where he lives to this day.

R. Lowe, 2013
www.reggaejamaicaway.com