Today, July 14, is a day of quiet tribute to Ced Ride—born Cedric Ridderplaat in 1944 in Otrobanda, Curaçao—whose life spanned artistry’s full spectrum: song, poetry, painting, philosophy, and the healing power of culture.  

From his debut lyrics in Papiamentu to acrylics on canvas, Ced wove Curaçao’s heartbeat into every medium. His compositions—rich in Bantu roots—echoed through island plazas and barbershops, as he sang in the mother tongue that carried the spirit of his people. He performed enduring classics like “Balada di Buchi Fil,” giving voice to our history through lyrical passion, and celebrated hit after hit—his “Navidad Sin Padre” marking half a century of success.  

As a painter, Ced’s acrylics explored consciousness, the elemental forces of earth, air, fire, water, and the spiritual layers of existence. His 2018 exhibition Estríktamente Personal at Landhuis Bloemhof invited audiences into that inner cosmic dialogue.  

A Poetic Reflection  

On this day, let us remember him in words that blend the colors of sky, sound, and soul:  

In languages rooted deep, you sang – 

Bantu breath within your tongue’s refrain. 

Amid canvas swirls of conscious light, 

You bridged our worlds through song and sight.  

Earth, water, fire’s ancient flame, 

Through paint and verse, you spoke our name. 

In grief’s soft echo—“Navidad Sin Padre,” 

You made our longing stand taller.  

Born under Curaçao’s July sky, 

Your legacy now lingers, never astray. 

A living legend, immortal online, 

Our island’s light, for all time.  

Today’s Tribute 

• Listen to his Papiamentu poetry and songs—CedRide has a digital legacy through YouTube and SoundCloud. 

• Revisit his paintings and writings via his official website, where healing and art merge. 

• Sit in gratitude for the way Ced Ride opened hearts: whether in a crowded concert hall, an intimate café, or through a simple poem shared in everyday space.  

Today we honour not just an artist, but the gentle philosopher who coaxed a whole island into deeper connection—with their language, their memory, and each other. His journey continues in every note sung, every stroke painted, every word carried forward.  

Eternally in our voices and our souls— 

Ced For Ever  

Tico Vos