Rototom Sunsplash presents the first 30 artists of its 2021 edition in Benicàssim
The Rototom Sunsplash has begun designing the line-up for an edition, the 2021 edition, which aims to be memorable. The international reggae festival, which will resume in Benicàssim (Spain) next year, from August 16 to 22, reconfirms a good number of the headliners who were going to star at the event this summer – postponed due to the current extraordinary social and health situation- and it adds to its polyhedral musical program with new artists willing to become part of the history of this cultural macro-event.
Toots & The Maytals.
The artistic list for Rototom Sunsplash 2021 begins with a Jamaican triple whammy. From the Caribbean island come the legendary Toots & The Maytals. Formed in the ska era, it was the first band to include the word ‘Reggay’ in their songs. The Maytals are the soundtrack to Toots’ incredible roaring soul and the group will represent one of the highlights of Rototom 2021. The Jamaican and dancehall fore runner, Barrington Levy, joins the program with his unmistakable voice and style; as does Julian Marley (alongside The Uprising), son of Jamaican legend Bob Marley, whose ability to imprint a unique ‘roots’ flavour into his music appeals to reggae fans of all ages.
Julian Marley.
Adding to the mix are several impressive acts. On the one hand the presence of the Italian settled in Jamaica Alborosie, whose career has grown in parallel to the festival, will be on stage again with The Shengen Clan in Benicàssim. On the other hand, there is another of the big hitters: Koffee, one of the maximum representatives of the Jamaican reggae scene and a transversal artist with currently one of the most unstoppable projections on the international music scene. Joining her is another of the rising talents on the Caribbean island, that of the young Hempress Sativa, followed by the Kingston-born artist Aza Lineage accompanied by The High Tide Band.
Koffee.
Hailing from South Africa the lien-up incorporate the voice of Nkulee Dube, another promises of the genre, together with The Higher Power. Rototom Sunsplash also announces Scottish MC Soom T and New Caledonian artist Marcus Gad.
The novelties for the 2021 line-up are represented by the British Natty and his ability to capture in a refreshing and unique repertoire the sounds of his African heritage; and the Jamaican band Iqulah Rastafari.
The journey to the next edition of the festival continues in Brazil, where, Natiruts was born, the best-known homegrown reggae band in their country; and it is enriched with the Jamaican acoustic reggae collective Inna de Yard formed by Winston McAnuff, Keith & Tex, Kiddus I, Var (Pentateuch), Steve Newland (Rootz Underground) and Kush (Uprising Roots).
Spanish represents in Rototom Sunsplash 2021 with Morodo, a pillar of the host countries scene with a 20-year career behind him, who will perform with his band, Okumé Lions; and with the Aragonese band Jahsta, which has just celebrated its 25th anniversary, accompanied by Conscious Vibes Band and its cocktail of reggae with dancehall and rap roots. The Madrid duo Sweet Barrio will also share their mix of rumba, flamenco, soul and reggae in Benicàssim next summer.
La Dame Blanche, the project of Cuban singer, flutist and percussionist Yaite Ramos, heir to the oratories of the Afro-Cuban rumba, reconfirms their presence at the festival.
The UK adds to the blend with the London ska and reggae band The Dualers joining this year’s 27th anniversary. Led by the charismatic Tyber Cranston, the impressive formation characterized by their love for Jamaican music from the 1960s and by their blatant London arrogance, accompanied Madness on their tour. Also from the British Isles comes singer of Jamaican descent Carrol Thompson; dub, reggae, ska and soul artist Captain Accident, direct from Cardiff, and another ska reference, Mark Foggo.
Milanese trombonist Mr T-Bone, one of the leading exponents of the contemporary international ska and reggae scene; the talented Jamaican reggae singer Droop Lion, who has already visited the festival as the voice of the legendary Gladiators (exponents of the golden era of Jamaican roots), and that of the young artist SumeRR, who will bring on stage his sweet yet powerful reggae rhythm with an aged flavour together with the Canary One Xe Band, all join the 2021 line-up.
From the sound system circuit of ska music and ‘oldies’ come the Japanese Rock a Shacka ft Masa & Ash and the mc of Tighten Up Crew, Champian. The circle is completed by the German Warrior Sound, one of the European sounds that has toured the world the most in recent years; Jamaican selector Freddie Krueger and Constant Jamming Gladdy Wax Sound (UK).
Tickets for the 2021 edition of the Rototom Sunsplash are on sale on the festival’s official website: www.rototomsunsplash.com