By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Monday 15th July 2025)-Amidst the energetic performances and feel-good atmosphere of the 25th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, a solemn moment gripped patrons on night three (Saturday 28th June 2025) as performers paused to pay heartfelt tribute to the late 15-year-old Janelika Romney.
The teen’s lifeless body was discovered on June 27th in the White Gate area-ten days after she was reported missing.
Two songstresses Abena Amory of Nevis and Virgil Hodge of St. Kitts led moving musical tributes during their individual sets at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium venue, each using their voice to honour the teen’s memory and highlight the tragedy that has deeply affected the Federation.
With images of Janelika on the stage screens, Abena Amory delivered a soul-stirring rendition of ‘Rise Up’ by American singer Andra Day. The emotional choice conveyed both sorrow and a powerful call for resilience and togetherness as the nation mourns.
Virgil Hodge’s performance saw her inviting the crowd to raise their phone lights in remembrance. “…this week, we lost a young lady…which shook our nation”, she told the crowd, before performing Luciano’s “In This Together,” calling for compassion and solidarity.
Via a social media post, she shared her sentiments: “Singing ‘In This Together’ by Luciano sent chills through my entire body as I thought about the tragic loss of Janelika Romney. May her soul rest in eternal peace.”
She noted messages expressing the impact of her tribute. One noted: “I liked how you paid tribute to that young girl that lost her life.” while another added: “That performance gave me chills.”
While the show’s curtain closer Jamaican reggae star Romain Virgo did not directly reference the incident, his powerful delivery of “Dutty Man” during the early hours of Sunday, 29th June, resonated strongly with the audience.
The hard-hitting lyrics of the song-which condemns predatory behaviour toward underage girls-struck a deep emotional chord with many in light of the circumstances surrounding Janelika’s death.
“I want everyone to represent once more… take out your phones, take out your lighters, light dem up in St. Kitts Music Festival right now; we’re saving the children of this world… I’m looking in the crowd… light dem up!” Romain Virgo called out during his performance.
The crowd erupted, singing along passionately as he belted out the third verse:
“Unoo fi talk up, talk up!
If unoo know dem thing yah ah gwan!
No badda wait til it too late
Alright now we fi sound the alarm…”
The chorus followed with even greater force:
“Yuh dutty man
Leave the people pickney dem alone
It’s a disgrace, man…
You’re just a waste man…”
One emotional patron shared with this media house: “That is one of my favourite songs, but hearing it at that time was very emotional for me. I cried. I got chills thinking about Janelika. That song is a very powerful one that society needs to pay attention to.”
Other entertainers on that night’s line-up saw Jennifer Hudson, Arya Starr and Christopher Martin.