‘His voice had an anointing in it’ - Final farewell for gospel revival singer Kukudoo marked by music, tributes

Mourners arrived early at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Sunday for a final viewing of gospel revival singer David ‘Kukudoo’ McDermott at the event celebrating his life. His body was transported by Perry’s Funeral Home in a grand glass chariot draped in green, said to be his favourite colour.
For close to four hours, they sang, danced and celebrated the revival singer who did not just entertain, but healed souls and filled hearts through his music.
Manager Nicholas Marks also shared Kukudoo’s legacy album, The Journey, the singer’s final body of work. The 10-track album, set for release on August 19, blends reggae, dancehall, soca, Afrobeats, revival and mento, and demonstrates the singer’s desire to explore new musical forms with a refreshed sound and perspective.
Tributes poured in from friends and family members as over a dozen speakers chronicled how Kukudoo transformed not only their lives but the lives of thousands. Many shared personal stories and testimonies about him as a sugar-cane worker, a sound system selector, and an avid domino player before becoming an ordained minister. 
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange took an active role in the revival segment of the proceedings, joining singers and members of the clergy as they circled the casket and sang several of the songs she requested.
Grange reminded the gathering that former Prime Minister Edward Seaga said that Jamaica’s African cultural retention was nothing to be ashamed of but a vital part of our DNA, which Kukudoo represented not just here in Jamaica but across the globe every chance he got. “Whenever he held a microphone, heaven came down as his voice had an anointing in it. Kukudoo understood what his namesake said in Psalm 100, which was to come before the Lord’s presence with singing. For Kukudoo, every song was an offering, and every note was worship,” said Grange.
Speaking of a popular Jamaica Labour Party campaign song, Me and Me Neighbour, Grange spoke of its rare ability to bring people together, regardless of political affiliation. “It was my distinct pleasure and honour to work with him in the studio, producing such songs as Me and Me Neighbour. That song was one that had unifying powers, as when that song was played, I remember a lady belonging to the other side called me to say that she found herself singing the song. That was the impact that Kukudoo had on Jamaica. Yes, it was a campaign song, but it also brought this country together. We spent many days and nights in the studio working. So I wrote the songs, so Kukudoo sang them. So you know I’m going to miss him, as his laughter would fill a room and that ‘Hi! Hi! Hi!’ was a refrain that was simply infectious,” she shared. 
Hailing from Spanish Town, McDermott’s rise from poverty was made possible through his talent. His sister, Althea McDermott, emphasised that her brother did not want to be pigeonholed as just a dead yard singer, but wanted the world to see different aspects of his talent. She also shared stories about their early life off March Pen Road and the close bond they had all the way up to the point of his passing. 
“I remember one day my mother sent me and Kukudoo to the canal to ketch water, as she was washing clothes. We deh a canal the whole day swimming while our mother was waiting on the water, and when we finally came out, we couldn’t find the containers. We knew we ago get a beating, so we say we not going in the house. There used to be a film show up by Baccas Bar, so we went there that night and watched the film until it was over,” she shared. 
Afraid of the repercussions, she said, they decided to sleep under a bridge. “They were doing repairs near there, so we went and got cardboard boxes and tore them open and settled under the bridge. We heard two persons on top of the bridge talking; one was my father and another gentleman. I fell asleep and dreamt that I was being washed away by water under the bridge, and so I jumped up and decided to go home. My father opened the door and let us in. You see as soon as we drop asleep, lick woulda kill we!” Althea recounted what she called the “many adventures” she and Kukudoo would get up to. 
“I wish I was standing here for a different reason. I didn’t get enough time with him, but sleep on my brother. You have done your best. No one could have asked more of you,” Althea told those in attendance. 
Kukudoo was interred at the Dovecot Memorial Park. 
nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com