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A decade of good reggae vibes

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5 years ago

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BY MICHAEL THOMAS

What is Reggae music you may ask?  It is a heartbeat and according to the late Bob Marley “When it hits, you feel no pain!”

Reggae music has certainly come a very long way, from the ghettos of Jamaica in the 60s as a poor man’s anthem to the billboard charts of England and America. It is fair to say that this genre has been around the block and has left its footprints in the musical sands of time.

This decade has been especially good to several reggae artists alive and dead. For instance, if one was to look up iTunes Top 100 Reggae Songs from number four to the finish line and in between, The Right Honourable Robert Nester Marley AKA (Bob Marley) even in death has shown that he is reggae’s artist of the century, not to mention the decade.

Here are the 10 best new reggae artists of the last ten years

  • Tarrus Riley the man who sang -She is Royal
  • Queen Ifrica – Times Like These
  • Alborosie
  • Raging Fyah-Irie Vibe
  • Duane Stephenson- August Town
  • Gentleman- The Journey
  • Chronixx She Was Love at First Sight
  • Romain Virgo-Soul Provider
  • Protogé-Who Dem A Program
  • Kabaka Pyramid-Free From Chains

This decade saw some new artists in the reggae ring that created an enormous impact globally; artists like Romain Virgo with his soulful coverage of the song Soul Provider, Tarrus Riley for his mega lovers’ rock hit  (Just The Way You Are) and Chronixx for his patriotic crooning on (Smile Jamaica). With artists like these three, few would argue that the future of reggae is in good hands.

This also was a decade in which reggae sustained some heavy losses in the form of foundation artists who died, as well as those who were taken out of action by lengthy prison sentences. Mark Myrie aka Gargamel or Buju Banton was taken off the stage and handed a 10-year sentence in Florida. One of dancehall’s very prolific performers Adidja Palmer aka Vybz Kartel also was taken out of action and is imprisoned currently. Reggae icon Mr. John Holt died and Frankie (Dancehall) Paul passed away after a battle with diabetes. Finally, the man known as the Cool Ruler worldwide for his velvet-smooth style Mr. Gregory Isaacs lost his battle with lung cancer.

Reggae is still on her way to victory, because in her corner she has: Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Sanchez, Freddie (Ever Ready) Mc Gregor, King of the Dancehall Beenie Man, Sizzla Kalonji, Jesse Royal, Carlene Davis, JC Lodge, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt and a slew of entertainers who keeps her flag flying high including Sean Paul who has used this decade to his advantage by successfully merging Dancehall Reggae with Hip Hop and RNB.

Here at home in Toronto, reggae has not been sleeping either, the past decade saw Canada host it’s first of what is to be an annual four day event called One Love. This event featured many reggae greats like Cocoa Tea, Shabba Ranks, and Baby Cham, who shared the same stage with Canadian reggae artist like Nana McLean, Jay Harmony, Exco Levi, and Steele.

When speaking of reggae greats, this article would not be complete without a taste of the Legendary Mr. Jay Douglas himself, who for well over four decades has been thrilling audiences with his far-reaching vocals and fancy foot-work wherever he shows up. Toronto Caribbean Newspaper caught up with the veteran and versatile showman for an interesting conversation on what the music and the decade have been like for him, his thoughts and his future plans.

“There is only one international language and that is music. It connects all of us with spirit and energy.” Douglas, who has traveled most of the planet spreading his musical message said, “I am a messenger of love; if you notice I never get political. We must always treat the music with love and respect.” Douglas recalls opening for Whitney Houston’s mom Cissy Houston, who gave him a piece of advice he said he will never forget, “When you get up there son, be accountable to your audience,” This two time Juno award nominee and Harry Jerome award recipient told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper, “Musically the decade has been very good to me. Lots of good things are happening, and as we speak Toronto artists are putting out some of the best reggae lovers rock, I am proud of this.”

When asked what advice he has for young artists, Douglas replied, “We the elders have to nurture them, teach them that the music is not just a hobby. If you are going to do it, you have to put your mind, body, and soul into it. We have to find out what interests them and train them in that specific field.” Douglas said he would like to see an institution for youth where they can be schooled musically. Other countries do it, therefore, we can do it too, “I have a lot to give and would love to share my gifts with the grand-children because there are the gems of the future.”

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