In Memoriam ... Garfield Blackman 1941 - 2000 "Ras Shorty I"

There are so many lessons that could be learnt from a man who chose to live his life his way in spite of what seemed to some to be weird as he broke with worldly decadence and sought to live a natural life with his family in the Piparo forest.

Each verse written by this master could stand on its own and a lesson learnt or a new thought revealed. His life was a life of love, one of discipline, invention and reinvention.

He gave Trinidad and Tobago soca music, chutney soca, and jamoo music. Indeed his endless vibrations will continue to flow and help weave a strong music fabric. Shorty has taught many outside his family circle the true meaning of life and dedication. In his own words, from "Who God Bless" Shorty brings a well-known verse from the Bible to life:

"The workers of iniquity

Dig a pit for me.

Now they are waiting for me to fall in,

Trying to take my bread and butter

With they lies and propaganda.

But they fooling, they only fooling.

I will not be afraid of what man can do to me.

Man, you see, is only vanity.

You see, who God bless no man shall curse.

He shall be first."