Entertainment: Ziggy Marley charts his own course Though it may unsettle fans who believe the struggle against political and social injustice is a crucial component of the best reggae music, Ziggy Marley, eldest son of reggae’s most transcendent figure, Bob Marley, doesn’t quite see it that way. Marley says his struggle is “spiritual,” unlike the [...]
Rastas blast Munga’s ‘Gangsta Ras’ image A group of Rastafarians who feel that dancehall artiste Munga’s promotion of himself as “the Gangsta Ras” with attendant image, is a perversion of the integrity of Rastafari, say they intend to pursue the use of intellectual property protocols to protect and preserve the culture and symbols from misuse. [...]
Bagasau boy brings band Kepone Fiu is a true believer. He lives the roots rock he earns his living from. The one-time flight information officer is practically flying at the prospect of a home boy strutting his stuff in front of his people. Kepone is the driving force behind acclaimed Australian reggae outfit Cool Runnings [...]
Still moved by the spirit of Marley Wilmington, though not a big city, has a festival worthy of one this weekend — The People’s Festival Tribute to Bob Marley. Twenty-six years after his death, the legendary reggae musician, who once lived in Wilmington, still exerts a pull on millions of people
Reggae’s Compassion Apparently, reggae and dancehall music are nothing alike. This might sound confusing to casual fans of the genres, but international reggae star Freddie McGregor says a line needs to be drawn in the sand — and he’s not just talking shit. McGregor, a prominent member of the reggae community who’s based in Hollywood, [...]
Roots manoeuvre Dave Simpson on what happened when reggae and punk went head to head in the UK It’s late autumn 1977, and the Stranglers are headlining a show in the Midlands. The support comes from the roots reggae band Steel Pulse. They know what to expect from a punk crowd: gobbing, cans being thrown. [...]
Beenie entertained, Cham was truly brilliant Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest’s Dancehall Night on Thursday attracted the largest audience since its 15-year inception – perhaps an indication that dancehall is not entirely dead but has merely evolved, becoming more mainstream. Cham gets into his act. “We cannot fight dancehall,” said MC Richard ‘Richie B’ Burgess, “it’s [...]
Going batty Yeah, I know reggae superstar Buju Banton has recorded a lot of great songs, but one day in reggae history, when the dust settles in the current years-long debate over anti-gay lyrics in dancehall, Buju will mostly be remembered for one song, Boom Bye Bye, his 1992 hit single advocating the killing of [...]
Cham gears up for big show Dancehall star Cham expects his Red Stripe Reggae Sumfets performance to be one of the high points of what has already proven to be an extra hot summer. The artiste’s input on the remix of rapper Mim’s This Is Why I’m Hot (along with Junior Reid) maintianed it’s momentum [...]
Jamaican troops serenade Queen with reggae The Army is so heavily deployed on operations that soldiers of the Jamaican Regiment have been called on to protect the Queen outside Buckingham Palace, senior officers admitted yesterday. A company of 140 Caribbean troops have been called up to relieve soldiers of the Coldstream Guards who are preparing [...]