The Rototom Sunsplash closes its Main Stage line-up with a trio of authentic Jamaican aces: Michael Rose, Ijahman Levi and Daniel ‘Bambaata’ Marley.
Michael Rose. Photo: Carlo Crippa.
Among his merits Michael Rose, who was the vocalist of the emblematic group Black Uhuru, will go down in history as the first reggae artist to win a Grammy award with the album Anthem, in 1985.
Member of the first jury of the Independent Music Awards, throughout his career Rose has worked with outstanding artists, musicians and producers such as The Wailers, Big Youth, Sly and Robbie and Dennis Brown, among others.
Ijahman Levi. Photo: Rototom Sunsplash.
Ijahman Levi is considered one of the bench marks for Jamaican roots reggae. Singer, composer and producer, like Bob Marley he sang on the street of Kingston. In 1962, year in which Jamaica got its independence, he managed to record his first record before moving with his family to England, where he set up his first group. His long career that has brought him around the world and with a legacy of more than 30 albums, the artist, who now resides in Jamaica, will also be in Benicassim.
Daniel ‘Bambaata’ Marley. Photo: Rototom Sunsplash.
Regarding the young Jamaican artist Daniel ‘Bambaata’ Marley –son of Ziggy Marley and grandson of Bob, he will come to Main Stage with a diverse musical project that, although it has reggae roots, represents multiple musical styles.
When it comes to the rest of this year’s line-up on Main Stage, there will be some true legends such as Beres Hammond, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Freddie McGregor, who will be accompanied by two of his sons Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor and Daniel ‘Chino’ McGregor; as well as Marcia Griffiths, Max Romeo, The Congos and Pablo Moses.
The recent winner of a Grammy for the Best Reggae Album, Morgan Heritage, as well as young Jamaican talents such as Kabaka Pyramid, who has become a standard bearer for contemporary reggae; Jah9 and Assassin aka Agent Sasco will also be in Benicassim.
As it is a European reggae festival, the Main stage will also host new projects from different countries around the EU. This for instance, representing Italy will be Alborosie, an artist with close ties to the festival’s history, together with Raphael and Sud Sound System. The Spaniards Green Valley, the French Dub Inc and the Gentleman’s Dub Club from the UK, along with many other confirmed artists.
As in previous editions, the line-up also includes artists who, without being strictly reggae, stand out for their close relationships with this musical style, as is the case this year with Macaco.
Check out the full line-up here.