Reggae Uprising is set to “take reggae back to the foundation”!
(Contributed Article)
“While the new generation of Dancehall artists struggle to maintain mainstream success, Friends for Life Promotions, in association with Solar Entertainment, sets out to celebrate the classic rhythms of Roots Reggae that has infatuated pop culture audiences from around the world for the past thirty-plus years. REGGAE UPRISING, to make its debut at New York City’s prestigious Hammerstein Ballroom on July 26th, is ‘taking Reggae back to the foundation’ with a Rootsy lineup that includes headliners Morgan Heritage, and Richie Spice, while also celebrating the genres cross-cultural appeal with Reggae’s Rock & Roll songbird Tessanne Chin, and Rhythm & Bluesy ladies man Gyptian. More acts to be announced.
By ‘taking Reggae back to the foundation,’ promoters Donovan Johnson and Linval “Isis” Osbourne of Friends for Life have set out to provide a platform to revitalize Reggae music’s traditional uplifting messages and one-drop driven rifts, as opposed to the computerized rhythms and in-your-face character of Dancehall music for which it is often confused with.
“I come from Trenchtown; I lived on the same block with Bob Marley. I grew up in Roots Reggae,” states Friends for Life’s Linval “Isis” Osbourne, a popular Jamaican entertainment figure who has worked on a host Caribbean festivals and toured with Reggae artists like Barrington Levy, Mykal Rose, Alpha Blondy, and Mutabaruka over the past twenty-five years. “Friends for Life is promoting Reggae, because it is Reggae that has really captured the people. From touring California to Montana to Vermont and various other places all over the United States I have seen the impact that Reggae has on people of all colors and cultures.”
The history of Reggae music in mainstream culture goes back before the music was even called Reggae. In 1964, Jamaican singer Millie Small hit the top of the Pop charts in Great Britain, Ireland, and America with her Ska-flavored cover of “My Boy Lollipop.” A few years later, Jamaica’s Desmond Dekker topped American and European charts with Ska hits “Isralites,” and “007 (Shanty Town).” In the 1970’s Osbourne’s friend and neighbor Bob Marley became an International icon, cementing the relatively unknown “Reggae” into a worldwide musical phenomenon, introducing Reggae to other forms of music like Rock & Roll, Punk Rock, and Country music. In 1984 Reggae became one of only two non-American musical genre’s recognized by the America’s National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences-the Grammy Awards-four years before the Academy recognized American Hip Hop. Time Magazine named Marley’s 1977 Exodus “Album of the Century” and named the singer’s “One Love” as the “Song Century” at the end of the 20th Century. Most recently the Church of England (Anglican Church) in Jamaica, revised their official hymnals to include the songs by Marley and fellow Reggae legend Peter Tosh.
“Like Bob used to say, ‘We come to free the people with music,’” states Osbourne. “That is what why we are calling this production, Reggae Uprising. Reggae music has always uplifted and influenced people all over the world. So Friends for Life decided that for our first production, we are going to uplift the people of New York City-one of America’s biggest musical and cultural melting pots-by bringing taking them back to the foundation and giving them an evening full of Roots Rockin’ Reggae. It is also a celebration of the Earthstrong (birthday) of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I.”
REGGAE UPRISING: Taking Reggae Back to the Foundation, will be held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on July 26th. For more information about the event and ticket pricing, contact Solar Entertainment at 718-675-4144 or email solarevents@aol.com. For press inquiries, contact Ms. Raine Inc. at 347-702-1779 or email events@msraineinc.com.’
2 comments ↓
It is extremely pleasing to know that there are singers, musicians,and promoters who are interested in taking reggae back to its original foundations. Based on the promotions and the type of artistes that will be involved, Reggae Uprising seems as if it will be a major success.Nuff respect to all involved and wishing the best for this production.
[...] Reggae Uprising is set to “take reggae back to the foundation”! I grew up in Roots Reggae,” states Friends for Life’s Linval “Isis” Osbourne, a popular Jamaican entertainment figure who has worked on a host Caribbean festivals and toured with Reggae artists like Barrington Levy, Mykal Rose, … [...]
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