2013: The Year that was
We journey back into 2013 to see the highlights in Mzansi Reggae. In no particular order.
· RIP Sista Ites
November 22 saw the passing of Sista Ites after a sudden illness. Her passing was so sudden it shocked the Rastafarian Community and robbed a family of a beautiful Soul. Those who had the opportunity to meet Sista Ites will attest to her humility, her talent and commitment. Her contribution to Reggae Music and the Rastafarian Community was immense. We say Rest In Power SoulJahKazi. Mama Afrika.
Reggae Coalition formed
September 22 saw the formation of a Reggae Collective spearheaded by Ghetto Sounds of Cape Town and with Ras Shaun Harris putting in a lot of organisational work into it. The Collective participated at the Moshito Music Conference and hosted a Reggae Indaba to officially formulate the Southern African Reggae Music Association (SARMA) with Board Members and Members. Many were invited, Few answered the call. Read about it here.
Reggae Roots & Culture at Maboneng Precinct
The theme was ‘Celebrating our Legends’ , an inaugural of the Reggae Roots & Culture with international and local Acts such as Legend, A UK based group of musicians dedicated to the live of Bob Marley;One People Band, the backing band for African Reggae Legend, Lucky Dube; Tidal Waves, Mad Koolia on the decks and Lasbon Shatta as MC.Though the venue changed at the last minute and some acts pulled out. Live Music was the winner of the day.
· Black Dillinger headlining in Uganda
· Jeremiah Fyah Ises and Jah kongo Shango pon Tour
Fyah Ises embarked on a tour called Positive Vibrations Tour to give a taste of what is to come from his upcoming Album due to be released in 2014. Jahkkongo Shango embarked on national tour JKPT2013 to promote his CD.
MUS in Cape Town
Meanwhile in Cape Town One love Lifestyle Events @ONELOVE_Events put a Monthly Sunday gig. Ting call Mush Up Sunday ~ MUS, which brought international acts like Supa Kool T from the Reunion Islands long side Teba and Daddy Spencer. Young Generations Band from Malawi also Mush Up Sunday.
· Jah9 in Jozi
In September we welcomed one of the prominent #reggaerevivalist Jah9 in Jozi. The Preacher’s dawta set foot in Mother land accompanied by The Mighty Rory of the Immortal Stone L ove Sound JA. She shared the stage with International Act Natalie ‘The Floacist’ Stewart, local acts Natalia Molebatsi, Dejavu Tafari, Mxolisi Radebe, Jitvinge, Nova and mo at the Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival. Mzansireggae was there to capture some mo!ments.
Dancehall Queen
Madibuseng ‘Fire Lady’ took home R15000 Cash as she was crowned African Storm Dancehall Queen 2013. Bassline, in Johannesburg, home of Fire Thursdays, a weekly gig hosted by Dancehall Giants Jah Seed and Admiral was jam packed. Faya Uman performance was off the hook. The show was recorded and broadcast on YFM and even got media Coverage on a national newspaper.
· Lutan Fyah In Soweto
James Mange launches Reggae Moonshine Festival
Former Robben Island political prisoner James Mange launched the Reggae Moonshine Africa Festival at Bassline with a with a notable line up that included Nkulee Dube, Tidal Waves and James Mange and MC’ing the event was none other than Mesh Mapetla and Adv. Sipho Mantula.The programme was a build-up to the 2014 Festival which will include other acts from Africa, Jamaica, Reunion Island, US, and UK will be unveiled mid-year 2014.
· Multi Award winning DJ King Alfred first time in Durban
· Reggae Petition
Lioness Production SA launched an online petition demanding from the SABC more reggae music and programmes on national radio and television. They gathered enough signatures that resulted in a meeting with the SABC.
· MzansiReggae goes Live
An idea finally came into being. In its humble short life span, these are some of the news/events that were covered on MzansiReggae.co.za. The idea being to create a platform where all tings reggae dancehall can be found under click. With a total of 45k plus hits/site visits, we hoping that more people will warm up to the idea, and we will bring you more stories, more events, more artist Bio’s, album reviews, gig reviews, galleries, forum and much much mo’. Stay tuned. It’s a work in progress.
A Massive Shout out to all who supported MR up to this point.
Give Thanks to one and all.
2013 ShutDown.
Crossing over to 20Forward.
MzansiReggae©2013