The current keyboard player for the Skatalites admits he didn’t know much about the band – or ska music, in general – when hearing them live for the first time in the late ’80s. Despite his ignorance, the experience was nothing short of life-changing for the American-born musician. “I was just in awe,” said Ken Stewart, who today is approaching 20 years with the band. “It was like the Jazz Crusade had gone reggae or something.”
Buju Banton is the dancehall artiste targeted most by the homosexual community. Over the years there have been cries from the community for his shows to be cancelled, his music banned and for him to be imprisoned. Still, unlike some of his counterparts, he has refused to apologise for his 1992 release Boom Bye Bye.
However, while some patrons may tire of seeing the same popular acts over and over (and over again), the promoters and others seem to need them to breathe life into the entertainment industry. The argument of bored patrons and popular artistes coming to every stage with no new gimmicks, is apparent; but what about the matter of these acts marginalising or stifling the veteran and new acts?
Anti-gay lyrics of Buju Banton’s youth remain an issue for activists
Why dem try to make I unhappy, really and truly, I don’t know,” the gruff yet sinuous voice of Buju Banton chides. The words, from Banton’s 1997 hit “Hills and Valleys,” are warmly received by the capacity crowd, packed shoulder to shoulder on the basement-level dance floor of Berkeley’s Shattuck Down Low lounge. The song, reveling in the down-to-earth vibe that has made Banton one of the premiere roots revivalists in the reggae genre, sends a message of spiritual liberation through the power of God: “only Jah frees the people, through hills and valleys, too.”
Dancehall, reggae reach higher level
The influence of dancehall and reggae music will probably soon surpass any other music. Bold statement, but Jamaican music is now turning up on just about any and everything to do with entertainment. In this instant, reggae and dancehall are now mainstays of video gamers.
Yes says Ranking Roger of the Beat, they know they have to play Dream Home In New Zealand when they’re here. Yes, it might be a minor track from their second studio album – 1981′s Wha’ppen – which never made any of the many subsequent best-of collections. But it would be rude (boy) not to.
The world’s music: Reggae Sunspalsh
There was never any question that UB40 was going to be a reggae band.
“It was like a breath of fresh air for me,” Campbell recalls. “When everyone else loved the Beatles, I loved (ska pioneer) Prince Buster.” Then came the rocksteady sound of the late ’60s and Bob Marley’s “African Herbsman” album with Lee Perry in 1970. “I was 13 years old and surrounded by this stuff – and it was just the sexiest thing I’d ever heard.”
Banton Presses On Despite Renewed Controversy
Controversial reggae star Buju Banton has two words for the gay rights groups that have sporadically protested his concerts across the U.S.: “F*ck them.”
“I have never bashed any gays before, and if I bashed gays, I bashed them 16 years ago,” Banton tells Billboard.com. “There’s no tolerance from [the gay community]. I’m not a gay-basher. I’m not a homophobe.”
Ever since its incarnation it’s been an uphill battle for reggae to make serious inroads in the mainstream music pantheon, largely because it has faced below the belt criticism that has claimed all reggae sounds the same and suffered infantile stereotypes that propagate the notions that reggae is first and foremost the product of stoner culture, and is largely a feel-good novelty genre not fit to sit on par with serious music.
Enter Sly and Robbie. Here’s a duo that has made it their mission to see to it that the reggae beat does not remain stagnant, to break stereotypes and constantly move the goalposts of reggae music.
“People want Roger Moore back, I’m not turning back” proclaims long-lost reggae crooner Oriel Johnson, aka Roger Moore. After being away from the reggae scene for 10 years, Moore is planning a huge comeback.
Despite his absence, Moore still remains in the minds of many, with reggae hits with producer Top Rankin such as Dub to Dub and One Day Lovin’.