World of Reggae Music: Roots and Culture

Rastaman

Red, gold, and green flags emblazoned with the Lion of Judah fly above swirling clouds of ganja smoke while pulsing bass and driving reggae riddims flow through sound systems stacked ten-feet high. This edition of the World of Reggae Music Collection is entitled Roots and Culture. This first volume of Roots and Culture features the Rastaman. The Rastaman is an integral part of Caribbean culture and the reggae movement.

Rita Marleyintroduced Robert Nesta Marley to the foundations of the Rastafarian religion or “way of life.” She had seen the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie I on his visit to Jamaica and had been struck by the spirit on seeing what she believed to be an incarnation of God, Jah Rastafari. Bob Marley and The Wailers later became a great messenger of the “king’s music.”

Bob Marley and The Wailers, the I-Threes (Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, and Marcia Griffiths), Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailerall professed to the wisdom of Jah in their music. Not only did Marley and the Wailer family play roots and culture reggae, but so did the great rastaman icons Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, and Jacob Miller. The Rastafarian-inspired bands The Abyssinians, Black Uhuru, Aswad, Gladiators, The Melodians, The Mighty Diamonds, Steel Pulse, Culture,Wailing Souls, Third World, Israel Vibration, The Itals, and The Heptones rocked reggae for crowds of thousands of listeners and fired the souls and imaginations of millions of fans.

Not only the great reggae bands played tribute to the roots and culture of the rastaman, but so did the finest singjays from Dillinger, Barrington Levy, Ranking Joe, Sizzla, and Luciano to Buju Banton, Half Pint, Capleton, Anthony B, and Konshens. From the young to the old, from Tarrus Riley, Gyptian, Morgan Heritage, Alborosie, and Bushman to the old-school reggae originals of Jimmy Riley, Horace Andy, Johnny Clarke, and Cornell Campbell, Rastafarian culture and reggae still captures the pulse of an Island people.

1. The Abyssinians – Satta Massagana
2. Bob Marley & the Wailers – Rastaman Chant
3. Black Uhuru & the Revolutionaries – Dread In The Mountain
4. Aswad – Candles
5. The Melodians – Rivers Of Babylon
6. Steel Pulse – Not King James Version
7. Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey
8. Peter Tosh – Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)
9. Barrington Levy – A Yah We Deh
10. Bunny Wailer, Toot & the Maytals – Take A Trip
11. The Heptones – Cool Rasta
12. The Shadows – Brother Noah
13. Gregory Isaacs – Thief a Man
14. Jacob Miller – Tenement Yard
15. Luciano – It’s Me Again Jah
16. Buju Banton – Untold Stories
17. Israel Vibration - Jericho
18. Morgan Heritage – Down By The River
19. Bob Marley & the Wailers – Positive Vibration
20. The Mighty Diamonds – Jah Jah Bless The Dreadlocks
21. Ini Kamoze – Ital
22. Devon Irons – When Jah Comes
23. Bob Marley & the Wailers – Jah Live
24. The Wailing Souls – Kingdom Rise Kingdom Fall
25. Johnny Clarke – Be Holy My Brothers And Sisters
26. Burning Spear – Jah No Dead
27. Horace Andy – Psalm 68
28. Horace Andy – Dub 68
29. Kiddus I – Graduation In Zion
30. Tony Rebel – Jah Is By My Side
31. Dennis Brown – To the Foundations
32. Max Romeo – Babylon’s Burning
33. Luciano & Sizzla – Jah Blessing
34. The Mighty Diamonds – I Need A Roof
35. Israel Vibration – We a De Rasta
36. The Gladiators – Roots Natty
37. Willie Williams – Armagideon Time
38. Bob Marley & the Wailers – Iron Lion Zion
39. Third World – Cool Meditation
40. Johnny Clarke – Enter Into His Gates
41. Ras Michael And The Sons Of Negus – Rise Jah Jah Children (The Lion Sleeps)
42. Aswad – Back To Africa
43. Steel Pulse – Babylon Makes The Rules
44. Burning Spear – Red, Gold & Green
45. Half Pint – Blessings
46. Luciano – Jah Live
47. Fred Locks – Black Star Liner
48. Morgan Heritage – Set Yourself Free
49. Bushman – What’s the Matter With the World
50. Beres Hammond & Flourgon – I Love Jah
51. Capleton – Raggy Road
52. Garnett Silk – Mama Africa
53. Burning Spear – I And I Survive (Slavery Days)
54. Steel Pulse – Biko’s Kindred Lament
55. Sugar Minott – Black Roots
56. The Wailing Souls – Jah Give Us Life
57. Culture – Humble African
58. Black Uhuru – Whole World Is Africa
59. Sizzla – Black Woman & Child
60. Anthony Cruz & Marlene Johnson – Africa
61. Tarrus Riley – Marcus Teaching
62. Edge, Michael– Mr Babylon
63. Winston Francis – Going to Zion
64. The Abyssinians – Declaration Of Rights
65. Third World – Dreamland
66. Alborosie – Rastafari Anthem
67. Burning Spear – Calling Rastafari
68. Black Uhuru – I Love King Selassie
69. Anthony B & Horace Andy – Enter The Kingdom of Zion
70. Sylford Walker – Jah Golden Pen
71. The Mighty Diamonds – Africa
72. Black Uhuru – Going To Zion
73. The Abyssinians – Y Mas Gan
74. Sizzla – Rastaman Chant
75. Hell & Fire – Show Us The Way
76. Little Roy – Bongo Nyah
77. Junior Byles – King Of Babylon
78. Konshens – Rasta Imposter
79. Irie Love – Put Jah First
80. Luciano & Candy Man – Dem No Know Jah
81. Third World – Satta Massagana
82. Alborosie – Call Up Jah
83. Burning Spear – Lion
84. Bob Marley & the Wailers – Natty Dread
85. Buju Banton – ‘Til I’m Laid To Rest
86. Max Roemo, Conrad Crystal, & Suga Roy – Chant Rasta
87. Peter Tosh – Mama Africa
88. Black Uhuru – Leaving to Zion
89. Buju Banton – Give I Strength
90. Culture – Get Ready To Ride The Lion To Zion
91. Alborosie – I Am
92. Frankie Paul – Red, Gold, and Green
93. Tarrus Riley – Love Created I
94. Cornell Campbell – I Heart Is Clean/Zinc Fence
95. Alborosie – I Rusalem
96. Ranking Joe & Michael Rose – Poor Man Struggle
97. Dillinger – Gate Number
98. The Itals – Roll River Jordan
99. Pancho Alphonso & the Revolutionaries – Never Give Up In Babylon
100. Burning Spear – Jah Is Real
101. Jimmy Riley – Tell The Youths The Truth
102. Dolphin Morris & Prince Far I – Su Su Pan Rasta / Heavy Manners
103. Gregory Isaacs – Babylon Too Rough
104. Culture – Jah Rastafari (2001 Digital Remaster)
105. The Wailing Souls – They Don’t Know Jah
106. Jacob Miller – I’m A Rastaman
107. Conrad Crystal, Suga Roy, & Gyptian – Jah Jah See Dem
108. Capleton & Luciano - Hail King Selassie
109. Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle - Babylon You Lose

A totally stoned jamaican tourist guide shows visitors his smoking habits.

Antonio called me yesterday at 6:08 pm while I was on my way home. I recognized his name on my cell phone screen.

“Hi Antonio!”

“Hey.”

“How are you doing man?” The tone of his voice was different. He was comfortable.

We exchanged more greetings as my son and my cousin listened in on the conversation.

“Allison gone till Sunday,” he said, sounding as if he was really missing her. 

“Really? But Tamian comes back on Friday, right?” I had to give him hope that his angels were not far away.

“Yes,” he replied, with a soft and relaxed tone.

I knew he was feeling more comfortable. I could tell by the sound of his voice.

“Are you going away too?”

My heart skipped a beat as I heard his voice asked the big question that all my men had been asking for months now and I knew that I was going to be honest with this young hopeful boy.

“No Antonio, I am not going anywhere right now. I will be here for a while.”

I then decided to ask him about his parents. “How do you feel now that your parents are back…?”

“Mi feel good.”

“Did you get into anymore problems? I hope that there is no more war.”

“No man.”

I told Antonio that I called St. Joseph’s on Wednesday to talk to Mr. Calmright but was told that he was out of office and that I could call again on Thursday. Antonio confirmed that Mr. Calmright was indeed away on Wednesday but would be back on Thursday.

Mediator

My cousin who is here visiting from the US called me a “mediator” this Ben Johnson morning. I smiled and told him that I was never trained as one but somehow God was using me to mediate in the lives of people in crisis.

“Yes man you are a mediator and a diplomat too.” He insisted.

I did not challenge his statement. If he felt that I was a mediator and a diplomat, then what could I say?

Then we started to talk about the grandparents and their way of life. I laughed out loudly, clapped my hands and jumped three times in the kitchen as I explained My Truth about Rastafari and the Church with Miss Liz paying close attention. 

My husband looked at me quizzically. He had never before heard me talk like that. He asked:”What is Babylon?”

And I explained.

There was silence.

Mrs. Prospect

I called Mrs. Prospect as promised to tell her about the interview. I knew she was eager to learn about the job prospect. I gave her all the information that I had about the organization with which I took the interview. 

“Oh!” She said.

It seems as if, at least for a moment, that some of my readers thought I was being self-serving.

I smiled.

They really do not know me. They do not know Mar Campbell at all.

Seems as if they were saying that I was going after Mary Clarke’s job…apparently she is about to retire. 

Good Lord!

I am here for a specific purpose 

Let me assure you all that I am not going after anyone’s job. I am here for a specific purpose; to sow (thanks Bethany), yes, sow “Seeds of Insight” using the positive energies of men across Jamaica and the world. I am also here to help women to smell the sweet scents just before dawn through my “Senses at Dawn.”

And I want to thank you all for taking this journey with me. I know you are reading because I can “see” you through my computer screen and I can feel your spirits. I can even tell when people translate my blog posts into a language that they understand.

I am here! I am living in a new world and I love it!

Don’t worry! I am not possessed by evil spirits. Rather, I am merely following God’s Design for my life and moving according to the will of the Universe.

HALLELUJAH!

BLESS!

Erhältlich im Media Markt ist auch der Sampler “Reggae Jam Vol. 1″, welcher zwar weder offen homophob noch indiziert ist, wohl aber Musiker aus dem Genre der von uns so betitelten “Hassmusik” supportet. Neben kommerziell auch sehr erfolgreichen Musikern wie Shaggy oder UB40 finden sich auf der Zusammenstellung also auch Stücke von Beenie Man und Buju Banton.

Zusammen mit  Musikern wie Capleton und Sizzla gehören Beenie Man und Buju Banton zur Speerspitze menschenverachtender Musik. 

Unter anderem im Rahmen der Stop Murder Music Kampagne wurden Beenie Man´s Lieder wegen offener Antihomosexualität kritisiert. Sie enthalten laut Amnesty International USA Zeilen wie: „I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays“ („Ich träume von einem neuen Jamaika, wo sämtliche Schwulen hingerichtet werden“). Er wird unter anderem vom deutschen Lesben- und Schwulenverband als Mitverursacher für eine Hetzkampagne gegen Schwule in Jamaika verantwortlich gemacht, die zu einem schwulenfeindlichen Klima beitrage, dessen Auswirkungen bis zu brutalen Morden reichten, da der in seinen „Songs offen zum gay bashing (Schwulenklatschen) und gar zur Tötung schwuler Männer [aufruft]“^.

Als Reaktion auf diese Kritik, die unter anderem in den USA zu Konzertabsagen durch MTV und Virgin führte, wiesen seine Konzertveranstalter auf Beenie Mans Unterschrift unter den so genannten Reggae Compassionate Act hin, mit der er sich von homophoben Liedtexten distanziert hätte. In Jamaika bestritt Beenie Man im Juli 2007 diese Selbstverpflichtung (“And mi neva sign it, yuh hear sah.”) und erklärte zugleich, dass es keinen Bedarf an homophob motivierte Gewalt und Morde gebe, aber dass er einen „schwulen Lebensstil“ nicht unterstütze, weil er diesen für unheilvoll halte: „We don’t need to kill dem. We just need fi tell the people dem the right ting because I not supporting a gay lifestyle because it’s not wholesome to me.“ Manche Beobachter in der jamaikanischen Presse sehen in seiner Aussage, es sei nicht nötig, Schwule zu töten, die Aussage, es sei “falsch”, dies zu tun.

Buju Banton veröffentlicht Stücke wie Boom Bye Bye, in dem es heißt:

The world is in trouble

Anytime Buju Banton come

Batty boy get up and run

ah gunshot in ah head man

Tell dem crew… it’s like

Boom bye bye, in a batty boy head,

Rude boy nah promote no nasty man,

them hafi dead.

Batty Boy ist eine Ausdrucksweise der Jamaikanischen Kreolsprache (Patois), die einen homosexuellen Mann beschreibt. In Boom Bye Bye fordert Banton also die regelrechte Hinrichtung (Schuss in den Kopf) homosexueller Menschen. Auch in jüngerer Zeit, als geplante Konzerte in Deutschland bekannt wurden, kam es zu Protesten, Konzertabsagen und einer Kampagne des LSVD (Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland e.V.).

Auch nach Druck seines Labels entschuldigte Banton sich nicht für diesen Text und reihte sich neben zum Beispiel Bounty Killer und Beenie Man in die Liste der Autoren homophober Lyrics ein. In Folge dessen engagierte sich Banton allerdings für die Benutzung von Kondomen. Ein entsprechender Tune findet sich mit Willy Don’t Be Silly dann auch auf dem 1993 auf Mercury veröffentlichten Longplayer Voice of Jamaica, mit dessen Erscheinen auch die Stiftung Willy ins Leben gerufen wird, die sich um HIV-positive Kinder kümmert.

Nach dem Tod eines engen Freundes, der 1995 bei einer Schießerei ums Leben kam, wandelte sich Banton vom Jungkünstler mit offensiven Texten zu einem bekennenden Rastafari, der sich in seinen Liedern von Slackness- und Gunlyrics abwendet und zunehmend spirituelle und gesellschaftliche Umstände thematisiert.

Buju Banton kann sich bis heute nicht gänzlich der Kontroverse vor allem um Boom Bye Bye entziehen, da er – ungeachtet verschiedener Proteste – in Jamaika noch immer teilweise homophobe Texte singt. Außerdem wird er beschuldigt, fortgesetzt und tatkräftig in die seiner Meinung nach durch seine Religion gerechtfertigte Diskriminierung homosexueller Männer einzustimmen.

Nach vehementen Protesten u.a. deutscher Schwulen- und Lesben-Organisationen gegen seine Battyman-Tunes wurde 2004 die Hälfte der in jenem Jahr angesetzten Auftritte in Deutschland abgesagt.

2006 meldete er sich nach 2-jähriger Pause mit dem Album Too Bad zurück. Mit Too Bad findet Banton zurück zu seinen musikalischen Wurzeln: Es ist sein erstes reines Dancehall-Album seit 1993 und wurde für den Grammy unter “Bestes Reggae-Album 2007″ nominiert.

Die Bundesregierung prüfte 2008 eine Indizierung seiner Platten.

Als blutiger Anfänger des Glaubens-Hopping stellt sich die Frage: Wo fange an? Gleich ins kalte Weihwasser springen und alle heimatlichen Zelte abbrechen, um als Rastafari beim rituellen Cannabis-Konsum zu debattieren, oder erstmal ‚lauwarm’ loslegen und einen kleinen Voodoo-Schrein im Schlafzimmer aufbauen? (Foto: CC Jonathan Stevens, wikimedia)
Und was lohnt sich überhaupt? Da war doch diese Religion mit der Polygamie – Islam… dazu gehört allerdings auch, 5x/Tag Richtung Mekka zu beten. Zumindest an den polygamischen Tagen ; )

Letztendlich hängt die Frage, mit welcher Religion starte ich, auch immer vom eigenen Typ ab, und da hat mir der Facebook-Ratgeber quittiert: Mir stehen alle Glaubensrichtungen offen… Was sagt also mein kleiner Helfer „Best of Gott“ dazu?

Als Lebemensch sollte man die Vielgötterei nach nordeuropäischem Vorbild ins Auge fassen: Odin und Thor geben sich überraschend spaßbetont und stehen Saufgelagen sowie One-Night-Stands mit Bürgerlich-Sterblichen alles andere als ablehnend gegenüber. Diesen Vorbildern zu folgen, sollte für den ein oder anderen unter uns nicht schwer fallen. (Foto: CC PinkMoose, Flickr)

Natürlich gibt es noch die klassische Variante, der die meisten von Haus aus nahe stehen: Den Monotheismus mit the one and only… Mr. GOTT. Um den Zahn gleich zu ziehen: da gibt es zwei Steintafeln mit einer Menge Regeln drauf. Übertragen auf heute sagen die uns: In der Einkommenssteuer die Einnahmen aus Geldanlagen korrekt angeben, kein Blick mehr über die Hecke, wenn Frau Nachbar ihren Body in die heiße Sonne packt usw. Auf der anderen Seite weiß man beim Monotheismus, woran man ist: Hier gibt es genau einen Gott für alles und es kommt nicht zu Kompetenzstreitigkeiten bei Opfergaben o.ä.

Es bleibt die Qual der Wahl… ich schlage vor, auf dem Blog hier abstimmen lassen, welche Religion als erste in der Praxis auf Herz und Nieren getestet werden soll. Ich bitte um zahlreiche Votes!

Am 30. Juli 2009 wurde der Tonträger Rastafari vom Jamaikanischen Reggae-Musiker SIZZLA von der Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien indiziert. Er ist damit für Jugendliche unter 18 Jahren nicht mehr erhältlich.

Am Samstag, den 21. November 2009, fand sich dennoch die indizierte CD Rastafari unter den Tonträgern im Media Markt Velbert. Wir möchten sie ausdrücklich bitten, diese so genannte Hassmusik aus sämtlichen Regalen verschwinden zu lassen. Wer Hass verbreitet, darf damit in Deutschland kein Geld verdienen. Das gilt für Reggaesänger aus Jamaika wie rechtsextremistische Neonazi-Bands

Wir möchten darauf hinweisen, so genannte Hassmusik aus sämtlichen Regaln verschwinden zu lassen. Wer Hass verbreitet, darf damit in Deutschland kein Geld verdienen. Das gilt für Reggaesänger aus Jamaika wie rechtsextremistische Neonazi-Bands oder bestimmte deutsche Rapper.

Kein Geld mit Sexismus, Homophobie, Nationalismus und Menschenverachtung!

Beachtet den Info-Blog:
http://hassmusikbeimediamarkt.wordpress.com

Am 30. Juli 2009 wurde der Tonträger Rastafari vom Jamaikanischen Reggae-Musiker SIZZLA von der Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien indiziert. Er ist damit für Jugendliche unter 18 Jahren nicht mehr erhältlich.

Am Samstag, den 21. November 2009, fand sich dennoch die indizierte CD Rastafari unter den Tonträgern im Media Markt Velbert.

Wir möchten darauf hinweisen, so genannte Hassmusik aus sämtlichen Regaln verschwinden zu lassen. Wer Hass verbreitet, darf damit in Deutschland kein Geld verdienen. Das gilt für Reggaesänger aus Jamaika wie rechtsextremistische Neonazi-Bands oder bestimmte deutsche Rapper.

Kein Geld mit Sexismus, Homophobie, Nationalismus und Menschenverachtung!

Jah (God) is the essence of my life…

www.yasusafari.biz

By Heru (H. Emmanuel Ofori-Atta)

Oh what a beautiful day it was when I threw away my t.v.
Or should I say Tell-Eye-Vision?
You see, I got tired of strangers telling me how I should look, feel, or listen.
I got tired of strangers showing me how other people are living,
and therefore how I should be living.
And by the way, what does watching a football game on t.v. have anything to do with
celebrating a so-called day of Thanksgiving, oops I was mistaken, I meant Thanks-taking.

Oh what a beautiful day it was when I threw away my t.v.
Or should I say Tell-Lie-Vision?
No more lies for me.
Mental sabotage I won’t be missing.
So many potentially great people are caught in a psychological prison.
Our minds are programmed by t.v. programs, we’re caught in a media prism.
And this box called t.v. has become oh-so popular.
So many Sisters are caught in soap operas.
So many Brothers living their lives like they’re in the next show of cops and robbers.
We even get our slang from this thing called t.v.
The police are now called Five-O, is this Hawaii?
So many people are just bored, lonely or just plain lazy.
You’re spending time with something that weakens your human development,
and you’re telling me that you ain’t crazy?
Imagine cuddling up with something close to your foe.
Instead of learning something that strengthens your community or humanity,
all you did in your lifetime was learn how to quickly turn from channel 7
to channel 5 to channel 4.
Outstanding, exquisite, you did it.
You’re out of sight.
Remember, every time you turn on your t.v.,
you are inviting people into your home who you would not normally invite: RuPaul?
Let me be more explicit,
if you cannot throw away your t.v. tonight,
you have no right to look down at a crack or heroin addict.
You see, your addiction is stronger because you’ve been practicing it much, much longer.

Now, let’s deal with those commercials that influence people to buy things they normally
would not buy and wear things they normally would not wear.
It all begins when a young child starts to stop-sit-and-stare.
It all begins when a young child starts to stop-sit-and-stare.
There goes one, there goes another, hook, line and sinker.
T.v., Tell-Lie-Vision does not prepare you to be an independent thinker.
Just like back in the day.
Just like back in the day when every one wanted to be cool like Fonzie.
Now, ’nuff people have become Puff Daddy zombies.

Oh what a beautiful day it was when I threw away my t.v.,
or should I say Tell-Eye-Vision?
Mental sabotage I won’t be missing.
By now you can tell that I am on a liberation mission.
So right out my window, I threw away my t.v. or should I say Tell-Lie-Vision?
But I bet the stray dogs can use that box for pissing.

http://www.proudfleshjournal.com/issue3/ofori-atta.htm#h1

Ahí va el segundo episodio de este podcast. En él, hablo sobre el cantante Bob Marley (1945-1981), conocidísismo músico, y de la cultura Rastafari que Marley difundió por todo el mundo. He decidido que no todos los episodios van a tener un tipo de temática similar, ya lo iréis escuchando en sucesivos capítulos. Espero que os guste, Este es “el guión”:

1.- Anécdota sobre Winston Churchill

2.- Bob Marley y el movimiento rastafari

3.- Fin

Os animo a que opinéis sobre el tema tratado en este capítulo, recordad que acepto todo tipo de sugerencias (twitter.com/_jorge_).

Puedes descargar el podcast (o escucharlo) desde aquí. También puedes bajártelo suscribiéndote en iTunes, aquí.

A conversation with reggae legend Chuck Fenda. Paraphrased to our greatest ability from a grainy cell phone call to Chuck in Jamaica. Big Up to Joe Wiggins at VP Records for hooking up the interview.

How has growing up in between Jamaica and the US influenced your music?

Well, I was born in Brooklyn, NYC but moved to Jamaica at 6 weeks old. I went to school in Jamaica and the US. Reggae music is the rock of Jamaica and to really bust out in the music business I wanted to establish myself in Jamaica first. So I moved there to do music in 1998.

ZIF readers have heard a bit of conscious reggae; could you please tell us the difference between conscious reggae and more commercial reggae music like Sean Paul.

Conscious reggae is the same type of music that Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer were making. I consider myself part of the new generation that is carrying on Bob Marley’s work. His influence lives on and will never die. Bob laid the foundation, and now reggae music is known across the world. It’s huge right now in Europe, Canada and Africa.

What music are you listening to right now?

Besides (the artists listed above), I also listen to Burning Spear quite a bit. But really, I listen to everybody! It is about the message of the song. I listen to music that does not perpetuate or create illusions. The music I make and the music I listen to is about the message. I want to listen and learn from my music. Music has the power to change your life, elevate and inspire. There is music out there now that makes no sense and its creating false realities (violent music, gun this, bling bling that etc.) making people stray from what’s right.

So, if you are trying to bring a positive message about focusing on the right things and educating people, why was your music banned from the radio? Particularly “Gash dem and light dem” which was banned in Jamaica based on the government’s recommendation.

That song was inspired by a gruesome news story I saw on TV. A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped on her way to school and brutally assaulted, stabbed and murdered, her body dumped. This gruesome act highlighted the abuse that children suffer around the world and I wanted to bring this issue to light. There are many children missing and abused and the song is built around this topic. Unfortunately the government took it the wrong way and suggested it be banned. It was misunderstood, but I’m happy that the whole country was upset about it not being played, because they understood the positive message of empowerment I was attempting to convey. The government and media did not understand the concept.

This is a big issue in the US too, with all these kids being kidnapped. It’s time for the authorities to recognize that not all children are fortunate enough to be chauffeured to school. There are parents that can’t make ends meet, are poor and suffering and that is affecting the children. I wanted to highlight their plight, but the authorities are not interested in improving the situation for them.

It does not make sense to me because other songs about gun violence are allowed to be played. The rules are being applied arbitrarily. I’m actually talking about eradicating gun violence and not encouraging it.

Maybe it’s the fact that the public wants to be shielded from the brutality of such acts, and wants to protect itself by keeping it out of the public eye?

It was banned, but I’m speaking the truth. I’m not a racist. I am talking about unity and love. About the Almighty and how he will bring out the light to those who suffer and who are in the darkness.

My song may not play on the radio but it is serving the people of Jamaica because they are speaking and discussing the issues of the poor. In fact it is serving everyone, because the track is presenting relevant topics. I’m not against anyone, everyone should be free to do what they want, and I’m inspiring people to do what is right. I’m not against gays, etc. I want to do music, not bash other people. I want to elevate, highlight and speak the truth, and eradicate guns and violence.

Sounds like a true Rasta. The message in your music is closely linked to Rastafari culture. We’ll take any excuse to smoke a joint, but what is the role of marijuana in Rastafari culture?

It’s a natural herb of inspiration and meditation, which is like praying. It helps you meditate. Natural vibes. Authorities can say what they want about it but it’s not going to change the fact that it is a natural plant.

In the US, the justice system is not set up with rehabilitation in mind. The three strikes rule could have you spending life in jail for marijuana related offenses. What is the law like in Jamaica regarding weed?

They mostly go after people shipping it overseas in containers. They are only tough on the big dealers. As an individual, you could get away with a night in jail for about ½ pound. No matter how they make the rules, herb is good and natural. Bob spoke very highly of it and its abilities.

You founded your own label, Living Fire Records. Tell us a little bit about it and the artists you manage.

I founded the label because, as an artist, one will not be on the front lines forever. The label is great because, once you reach a certain age, maturity, in your music and you feel like you did enough to leave your mark, it’s time to encourage and push other artists to achieve their goals. Much like Bob Marley had his label Tuff Gong, I am trying to lay the foundations of this entity, that will continue to spread the message 50 years from now. I do not manage any artists at the moment, I’m still focusing on my own career and my own music, but I plan to move to management once I am satisfied with my own career.

What new up-and-coming artist should we watch out for out of Jamaica?

Check out Influence. He is managed/on the same label (VP Records) as I-Wayne. He is blowing up right now all over the radio. His biggest tunes are “Cancer” and “Road Hog”. Both bring important issues to light, cancer is killing off so many people all over the world, you really have to watch what you eat and how you live. And “Road Hog” is about drunk driving. There was a story recently where a drunk cop was driving, got into an accident and killed someone. It is an issue affecting all of society and he is bringing it to the world.

So you have 3 albums out now. Congratulations on the last one that just came out.

Yes, 3 albums. Better Days – 2004, The Living Fire – 2007 and now Fulfillment -2009 came out a few weeks ago on VP Records. You can buy it at vprecords.com or on iTunes. It’s a very powerful album, with a strong message.  It’s focused on food for the soul and moving away from illusions. I just shot a video for a track on it called “Bad Boys” with Sammy Dred about gun violence in schools. It is happening so much in the U.S. and Jamaica, where kids bring guns to school. We wanted to uplift them and show them that being a good kid is what really matters.

En una conferencia de prensa los músicos hablaron sobre la importancia de ser parte de un festival como el Jah Fest y de las expectativas que tienen con el evento.

Como lo mencionamos anteriormente los próximos 14 y 15 de noviembre se realizará el Jah Fest, el primer festival que se hace en México con una verdadera conciencia ecológica y que además tiene como protagonistas el reggae y el ska.

Lo interesante de esta combinación es que el ska es un género musical de protesta, mientras que el reggae es más ecologista; por lo que la combinación es ideal para los fines del Jah Fest.

Pablo Molina, una figura que representa al movimiento rastafari, expresó que “la idea central en que muchos (los músicos que participarán) coincidimos es sobre el cuidado del planeta”.

Tanto Pablo Molina, como Pericos y Salón Victoria dijeron sentirse comprometidos con los valores del festival, ya que a través de la música podrán poner su granito de arena para crear conciencia ambiental.

Sobre todo porque durante el festival habrá diversas actividades en las que varios de los músicos participarán, como conferencias sobre temas ambientales, taller de compostaje y juegos ambientales.

El hecho de que los artistas participen es un incentivo para que los asistentes se interesen en las actividades alternas que habrá a los conciertos.

Además de ello se está buscando que el festival sea congruente con el mensaje que quieran dar, por tal razón buscarán la manera de generar la menor basura que se pueda usando materiales que se puedan reciclar y también utilizando los desechos para la composta.

Para el evento se espera una asistencia de entre 15 y 20 mil personas por día, aunque los organizadores aseguraron que si ingresan más personas de lo previsto cuentan con las medidas de seguridad necesarias para mantener el orden.

También dijeron que esperan poder organizar una segunda edición de este festival para el próximo año en el que se incluirían más temas ambientales que en esta ocasión no pudieron ser abarcados, además de que se agregaría un género musical más.

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Wait a minute what is going on here with Shakira? Shakira was in attendance at the Rolling Stone Magazine partay and she debuted her new hair do, dreads! Apparently, Shakira will be transforming herself into a Rastafari aka she loves her some verde! I will have to wait and see this transformation occur. This makes me curious because Shakira has been talking to Beyawnce about the industry and I hope that Shakira didn’t take Beyawnce’s advice to also transform into an alter ego! *sigh*

Quando era residente do Hospital Roberto Santos, operei um rastafari. Simples? Nem tanto. O olho é sem dúvida igual ao de qualquer branquelo ou negro curtidor de rock, pagode ou axé. Mas os cabelos… oh, quanta diferença. Engraçado que já convivo com essa cultura afro da Bahia há muito tempo e nunca tinha parado pra imaginar como seria um rastafari desses, tão frequentes nas ruas de Salvador, dentro de um centro cirúrgico. Para quem não sabe, o centro cirúrgico é um lugar onde supostamente tudo o que entra está estéril e, o que não se pode esterelizar, bastante limpo. Por isso, médico, enfermeiras e todo tipo de funcionário devem trocar a roupa da rua por um pijama cirúrgico limpo. Vestimos também toucas, propés e máscaras. Os pacientes são despidos para poderem usar um avental, propés e toucas. Agora, me respondam: Existe em algum lugar do mundo alguma touca cirúrgica que seja capaz de guardar tantos dread locks? Acho que nem no centro cirúrgico da Jamaica deva existir. Sei que o pessoal da enfermagem lá do hospital deu um jeitinho e, utilizando um avental descartável (o mesmo usado para o corpo), conseguiram enrolar os cabelos do rasta de forma satisfatória. Não vou mentir que tomei um baita susto na hora que o paciente entrou na sala com aquela touca gigante. Juro por Deus, parecia uma Margie dos Simpsons negona usando uma touca branca. Enorme! E se você acha que os problemas acabavam por aí, não se engane. Tão lembrados que a cirurgia é do olho, né? Então, nessa cirurgias o cirurgião senta-se atrás da cabeça do paciente para poder operá-lo. Agora, como fazê-lo com uns 15 cm de cabelo entre você e o olho? Fora que aquele “acolchoado de cabelo” mais parecia um grande puff branco no qual o paciente repousava a sua cabeça, deixando ela bem mais próxima do microscópio do que deveria ficar. Rapaz, foram muitos ajustes até se chegar a uma posição confortável para os dois. Graças a Deus e a Jah tudo deu certo. E sim, sem dúvida alguma tem coisas que só se vê na Bahia.

You may have seen the shocking youth message that Paul Washer preached a few years ago doing its round on the internet but you may not know WHY he preached it. Below is an interview which will give you the background as to why he preached this message.

And if you havent heard the message, then please listen to it below. Youth leaders especially, please take note.

Da fyah inna meh heart will nevah die..

BLESSINGS!!

I thougt I’d put up some music, some lyrics, some arcticles and what not for you to enjoy..

All in the same undying category, REGGAE!!

Peyz and Jah bless

Att somliga svennebanan dyrkar rastafarikulturen förbryllar mig. De skaffar dreads, lyssnar på Bob Marley, röker på, börjar tala om kvasiflummiga livsfilosofier. När man påpekar för dem att rastafarikulturen hatar homosexualitet och dessutom är otroligt kvinnofientlig så rycker de på axlarna i äkta rastafarianda och säger att det är “kulturen och inte åsikterna som de lever efter”. Men herregud, om så är fallet,  åk till Malmö och Göteborg istället väl. Det är lite samma sak fast i svensk tappning, med jämställdhet och öppenhet. Schysst gung, billig öl, mycket röka, slackerkulturens mecka, goa gubbar, sköna människor.

Själv bara ääälskar jag den mytomspunna personan bakom Hitler, Hitlerkulturen. Attribut som hitlermustasch, bruna uniformer, svastikan som symbol får mig att rysa av välbehag. För att inte nämna den sköna stajlen med disciplinen, hitlerhälsningen och paraderna. Sen är det ju synd att han hatade alla folkgrupper utom “de ariska”, att han ville döda alla homosexuella, förinta alla handikappade och tyckte att kvinnor skulle fungera som barnmaskiner. Men det är ju inte den nazistiska värdegrunden och åsikterna jag gillar – det är ju kulturen, stajlen. Eller?

Pirating Bob Marley

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091101/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_jamaica_marketing_marley

Nästan så att jag bara skriver om musik när det är något som har stört mig eller gjort mig besviken. Eller att jag kritiserar likriktningen. Så här kommer några ord om något utanför den vita bubblan.

Jag hade länge ganska svårt för att förstå reggae. Bland annat så var det kanske så att det inte kunde gå hem hos mig eftersom jag under en period i de senare tonåren nästan enbart lyssnade på gitarrorienterad populärmusik. Det som handlade mer om rytmen kunde jag inte riktigt förstå.

Dessutom hade jag inga kanaler som kunde leda mig till något annat än Bob Marley eller diverse MTV-skräp som man såg under barndomen, typ Inner Circle (inget ont om dem).

Jag försökte just med Bob Marley. Lite tidigare saker. Inte alls dumt, men inte heller blev det begripligt för mig varför han kunde vara så extremt populär.

Men sedan stötte jag på Burning Spear.

Han har hållit på omkring 40 år nu, så jag kan inte säga så mycket om hela hans katalog, men det som jag har hört har fått mig att känna samma närhet till musiken som i fallet med andra genrer som jag varit mer bevandrad med.

Jag kommer inte ihåg hur jag upptäckte honom. Men den här samlingsplattan  – Creation Rebel (2004) – rekommenderas:

Det är ingen best of-samling, mer rariteter och tidigare outgivet material. Vilket innebär att det finns mycket styrka, mycket råhet och mycket skärpa.

Vad jag ska säga mer om det vet jag inte. Att skriva om musik är särskilt svårt när det kommer till positiva omdömen. Vilket ofta leder till vaga uttryck om att det är så “fantastiskt”, “briljant” och så vidare.

Plattan är helt enkelt jäkligt bra, och låten “Down By The Riverside” är utan tvekan bland de tio bästa låtarna jag någonsin har hört. Den har precis allting. Vacker sång, tung bas med lekfulla rytmer, skarp- och oförutsägbart gitarrspel, och en luftig och svajig orgel och en välskriven melodi.

Läs även andra bloggares åsikter om burning, spear, reggae, rastafari

Rachel’s story is not unlike what thousands of women around the world have experienced. A diagnosis that changes a woman’s life and inevitably takes from her what we consider to be most precious.

After four and a half years of vigilantly fighting breast cancer, the 37 year old wife and mother of two was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

But for Rachel the essence of life is found in her relationship with God through Jesus. And that’s why Rachel is convinced that death is not dying.

Rachel testimony is very touching and I strongly recommend listening/watching it. You can listen to/download the audio by clicking here or you can watch the video here

Rachel Barkey (nee Sawer) went home to her Lord on July 2, 2009 at 37 years of age. Rachel is survived by her husband Neil and her children Quinn and Kate, parents Ben and Cathy Sawer, brother David (Johanna) Sawer and sister Andrea Sawer.

Thinking a lot of Bob Marley as I rediscovered a 3 CD collection of his early recordings. His voice is so unique, so touching, getting right to the heart with his music. Songs that are not well-known and my favorites right now: Mellow Mood, a very romantic song, Caution, with a quick rhythm and Don’t Rock My Boat, which was later re-recorded and retitled as Satisfy My Soul for Kaya. Anyone who wants to research further old albums and songs should have a look at the Discography. As an early member of the Wailers Peter Tosh performed some tracks on the album Catch a Fire (Stop That Train). 400 years is performed by Marley/Tosh together on the same album.

I can still remember exactly where I was standing in May 1981 when a friend told me that Bob Marley had died. Tilmann Waldthaler, who cycled around the globe met Marley in a plane in 1978 and had the impression that he was sad and depressed… But Bob still lives in many hearts and souls across the world…