Blessed Love, One and All
This Week In Reggae: Blessed Earth Strong to Empress MENEN, BUNNY WAILER returns from treatment for stroke, BUJU BANTON teams up with sons in new song “False Pretense“, KOFFEE is the youngest Jamaican to reach number one on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, DAMIAN MARLEY contemplates politics, GULLYBOP primed for return, MAX ROMEO delivered a stellar performance at his first concert ever in Seattle, CHRONIXX pays homage to NIPSEY HUSSLE, TONY MATTERHORN and his wife are expecting first child, TROJAN JAMAICA – new reggae label is established and we commemorate MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr…
– A Likkle Labrish –
BLESSED EARTH STRONG TO EMPRESS MENEN
Blessed Earth Strong to Empress MENEN ASFAW, the Empress Consort of the Ethiopian Empire and wife of Tafari Makonnen, later Emperor Haile Selassie I.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/blessed-earth-strong-to-empress-menen-asfaw/
BUNNY WAILER STROKE TREATMENT
BUNNY WAILER, who suffered a stroke at his home in Kingston in October 2018, has returned home from a 5-week rehabilitative treatment in Cuba. His manager, Maxine Stowe says he has responded well to therapy, however he must avoid any stress, so all performances have been canceled until 2020.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/bunny-wailer-returns-from-treatment-in-cuba/
BUJU BANTON TEAMS UP WITH SONS IN NEW SONG
BUJU BANTON and his sons, Markus Myrie, and Jahazeil Myrie, team up on new single called “False Pretense” aimed at tackling social issues in Jamaica’s political atmosphere.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/buju-banton-teams-up-with-sons-in-false-pretense/
KOFFEE GRABS THE NUMBER ONE SPOT
19 year-old Reggae sensation KOFFEE is the youngest Jamaican to reach number one on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/koffee-grabs-the-number-one-spot/
DAMIAN MARLEY CONTEMPLATES POLITICS
Prime Minister DAMIAN MARLEY? The youngest son of Bob Marley says he is contemplating entering Jamaican politics.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/damian-marley-weed-slave-reparations-and-jamaican-politics/
GULLYBOP PRIMED FOR RETURN
GULLYBOP, whose given name is Robert Malcolm, is ready to return to the Dancehall spotlight. He rose to fame through social media in late 2014 when a video of him free-styling went viral. Bop, who was at the time homeless in Grants Pen, St Andrew, became an overnight sensation.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/gullybop-primed-for-return/
CHRONIXX PAYS HOMAGE TO NIPSEY HUSSLE
CHRONIXX is paying homage to the late rapper NIPSEY HUSSLE who was shot dead this weekend in front of his store Marathon Clothing in Los Angeles. He said he believes that artists that speak of conscious matters and of positivity are always always a target.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/chronixx-pays-homage-to-nipsey-hussle/
MATTERHORN AND “BELLA” EXPECTING CHILD
TONY MATTERHORN and his wife Shanice “Bella” Taylor are expecting their first child together.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/tony-matterhorn-and-shanice-expecting/
NEW REGGAE LABEL – TROJAN JAMAICA
ZAK STARKEY, son of Ringo Starr, has started a new reggae label called Trojan Jamaica. The idea is to to explore Jamaica’s diverse musical legacy, from its African roots to the endless inspiration of classic and contemporary American soul, R&B and blues.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/introducing-new-reggae-label-trojan-jamaica/
DEATH OF A DREAMER BUT NOT OF THE DREAM
MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1954 until his assassination in 1968.
FULL STORY: http://reggaeinseattle.com/april-04-1968-death-of-a-dreamer/
– New Music –
POPCAAN – SICARIO
TEEJAY – SHUB OUT
RANDY VALENTINE, EESAH and RUNKUS – BLESSED
CHRONIC LAW – WE ALRIGHT
SHENSEEA – STREETS NUH RIGHT
KONSHENS – BUBBLE GYM
SKYE DIAMOND – LIFE STORY
– The Happenings: Local Reggae News –
April holds a lot of live musical events in Seattle. Get ready to turn on party mode!
MAX ROMEO FIRST PERFORMANCE IN SEATTLE
MAX ROMEO delivered a stellar performance at his first concert ever in Seattle. He opened his catalog of hits with the classic “One Step Forward” from the 1976 album “War Ina Babylon”.
JUST ANNOUNCED!!: KABAKA PYRAMID and The Bebble Rockers will grace Seattle on May 22nd, 2019 at Nectar Lounge. Tickets – Admission $15 for advance purchase, 21 and over.
THIS WEEKEND! JAH BOUKS performs at the Red Lounge on Saturday, April 6th.
THIS TUESDAY!! British Reggae Royalty STEEL PULSE plays at The Showbox on Tuesday, April 9th.
LEILANI WOLFGRAMM with Sol Seed, Rebel Lion takes the stage at Nectar Lounge on Sunday, April 21st.
Sound clash champions MIGHTY CROWN aka “The Far East Rulaz” is coming to the Red Lounge on Saturday, April 13th. Their clashes are legendary and not to be missed for the true Dancehall fans. $20.00 admission, 21 and over.
KRANIUM and Jada Kingdom performs at Nectar Lounge on Friday, June 7th.
Dancehall phenom KONSHENS brings his A-game to the Red Lounge on Saturday, June 8th. Get ready to turn up!
Friends and family, the memorial services for Jeff “Soul Uno” Higashi, aka DJ SOUL ONE, will take place on Wednesday, April 10th at the New Holly Gathering Hall, doors opening at 5:00pm, services beginning promptly at 5:30pm. Please consider donating to the GoFundMe page set up for the family and the two daughters he leaves behind. Again, our condolences going out to his family. RIP
If you have a local reggae event you would like to have featured in “This Week in Reggae”, please contact us at: info [at] reggaeinseattle [dot] com.
– Blessed Earth Strong –
This week we celebrate the Blessed Earth Strong of the following artists:
Apr 01 – James Chambers aka “Jimmy Cliff”
Apr 01 – Michelle Downer aka “D’Angel”
Apr 02 – Garnet Damion Smith aka “Garnett Silk” R.I.P
Apr 03 – Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace
Apr 03 – Duncan Campbell
Apr 06 – Sheldon Lawrence aka “Aidonia”
– This Week in Reggae Playlist –
This week’s playlist is “Lovers’ Rock” because the world is in need of more love
– Meditation of the Week –
“You can kill the dreamer, but you can’t kill the dream”
– Martin Luther King Jr. –
UNTIL NEXT WEEK – ONE LOVE