Two Decades of Reggae inna Park Music Festival in Lotus River
On Saturday, 04 January 2020 Reggae inna Park will stage its 22nd edition at Lotus River, Rietbok Avenue in Cape Town. The first edition back in 1998 was hosted at the same venue; The Lotus River Reggae inna Park is a special initiative that originated with a specific aim of uniting a community that was overwhelmed by gang violence. It is hosted by the Youth Musical Project, a project designed and targeted specifically for the youth, to help them keep off the streets and avoid being recruited to join gangs, for if the music reaches them first, then there is hope. It was with this idea in mind that the Youth Musical Project was established and the Music Festival followed. The organisation is spearheaded by Bro Manchi, of Sons of Selassie Reggae Band who is passionate about the fate of his community and who believes in the healing property of music. “Lotus River Rasta Community attempted to enhance the specific action against continued ongoing violence,” explained Bro Manchi, “the aim is to unite the people with Reggae Music and awareness because Music is the healing of the nation.” The event has since gone from strength to strength.
The line up for this years festival includes Cape Town’s finest, with the versatile and widely travelled but still humble Crosby ‘DigiAnalog’, hip hop and dancehall artist Jo Baka, the ever humble Daddy Spencer, long time bredren JahKongo and Teba, the original Social Worker. The talented youth Thurston Di Prefect and stable mate Sparta King, Anela Jahmena, upcoming sista Samantha October and Legalyz Muzik are some of the names on the line up; powered by The mighty Triple Crown Sound System
This would be the first time that the event will be staged without Skeleton Da Scientist of Rebel Stone Muzik Lab, who was very instrumental in the organising Reggae inna Park, but who sadly passed on last year. Rebel Stone family is on the line up to continue the legacy.
The annual Reggae inna Park event has grown in leaps and bounds and receives a lot of support from the community. Cape Town TV will be on site to broadcast the event and exhibition material will be gathered for a proposed Exhibition in Germany later in the year. Many Western Cape reggae artists have performed at this festival including Black Dillinger, Jah Kongo, Zoro Daddy Spencer, Scorpion Da Stingah, Jah Noah, Jah Levi Bloupakkieman, Jah Link, Fire Flames, Triple Crown Sound System, DJ Dougie [RIP], DJ Gotta [RIP] , Selacity [Nigeria] and many more. This years event will also see
The event and the initiative has brought a lot of positive changes within the community. People look up to Rasta with respect, for what they have done and continue doing. They look to Rasta to help resolve domestic issues, they bring their youth to Rasta for discipline, but more importantly they look forward to Reggae inna Park Festival, where it is all ital and the music is love.
Reggae inna Park will take place on 4 January 2020 at Lotus Park in Rietbok Avenue, Cape Town. Entry in Free. Click here to go to photos gallery of Reggae inna Park 2016.
For more information about Reggae inna Park, visit the Facebook page here.