By Draxon Maloya
Reggae legend Rodney Winston, popularly known as Burning Spear, left his fans disappointed and bewildered at Civo Stadium on Saturday night when he mysteriously skipped two of his most iconic songs, “Identity” and “No Stupid”, from his setlist.
The omission of “No Stupid”, a scathing anthem that directly critiques oppressive autocratic ruling dynasties, was particularly notable.
The song’s lyrics, which include “They told us things will be better, they told us things will be cheaper”, are seen as a powerful rebuke to those in power who fail to deliver on their promises.
The crowd, which had gathered at the government sports facility, had expected Spear to use his platform to remind those in authority of their responsibilities and to address the people’s concerns.
However, when he left the stage for a brief break, many thought he would return to perform the songs, but to their dismay, they were not included in the setlist.
The snub has left fans feeling cheated and wondering why Spear would choose to omit such significant songs from his performance. Some have speculated that the decision may have been influenced by external factors, while others believe that Spear may have simply wanted to focus on other aspects of his music.
Regardless of the reason, the omission of “No Stupid” has sparked widespread disappointment and debate among fans, with many taking to social media to express their discontent.
Spear’s decision to skip “No Stupid” has been seen as a missed opportunity to use his music as a powerful tool for social commentary and critique.
The song’s message of resistance and defiance in the face of oppression is one that resonates deeply with many Malawians, and its omission from the setlist has left fans feeling let down.
As one fan put it, “We were expecting Spear to use his music to speak truth to power, but instead, he chose to remain silent. It’s a disappointment, to say the least.”
