Reggae music has long advocated for Africa, encouraging those abroad to return home. Furthermore, reggae also serves as an effective vehicle to spread Rastafarianism’s message. The actual Interesting Info about african reggae artists.
Lucky Dube, an accomplished reggae musician raised listening to Peter Tosh and Bob Marley’s music, crafted influential albums such as Together as One, Prisoner, and House of Exile that provide strong messages about racial harmony.
Bob Marley
Bob Marley was one of the most iconic and groundbreaking reggae musicians ever, popularizing this music genre and spreading its message. His lyrics often addressed political topics such as fighting poverty and oppression of black communities while promoting Rastafarian beliefs with Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston, who helped form their band.
Marley’s song “War” from 1977 advocated for an end to racial injustice, and his 1976 album Rastaman Vibration demonstrated his devotion to Rastafari’s faith. Unfortunately, the malignant melanoma in his toe began spreading rapidly to his brain and lungs before eventually killing him in May 1981.
Doumbia Moussa Fakoly, known by his stage name Tiken Jah Fakoly, was an Ivorian singer and activist best known for advocating Pan-Africanism, performing at Zimbabwe’s independence ceremony.
Lucky Dube
At age 16, he began performing in school rock and roll bands before joining Richard Siluma’s Love Brothers band at 18. This ensemble performed Zulu pop music known as mbaqanga, but when he felt the urge for change, he adopted reggae which caused an uproar within the record label, causing their first album, “Rastas Never Die,” to be banned.
Dube soon achieved international renown through reggae music, becoming one of the first South African blacks to do so through reggae music. His songs focused on issues facing black South Africans during the apartheid and resonated with worldwide audiences. His albums enslaved person, Prisoner, and House of Exile achieved double platinum certification; Victims is doing similarly well on international markets.
Majek Fashek
Majek Fasheke (also spelled Majekodunmi Fasheke or simply Majek) is one of Nigeria’s premier reggae artists, hailing from Benin City and first becoming well-known during the early 80s with Jastix band that included musicians Amos McRoy Gregg and Black Rice; eventually, they were hired as the in-house band for NTA Benin TV music show Music Panorama while touring with Mandators.
Majek began his solo career under Majek Fashek and signed to Tabansi Records. His debut album, Prisoner of Conscience, quickly established him as Nigeria’s premier reggae artist.
Majek followed in the footsteps of Fela Kuti and Bob Marley by using music to fight for freedom and equality, particularly during Nigeria’s worst drought period. His song, “Send Down the Rain,” became one of its anthems and ultimately ended it.
Rocky Dawuni
Rocky Dawuni is an internationally-recognized Ghanaian roots reggae superstar known for blending cultural diplomacy with music to address global issues and bring positive changes. His talent for marrying musical fame with social activism has made him an advocate for various causes around the globe.
He’s an exceptional live performer, and his new album, Hymns for the Rebel Soul, has caused waves worldwide! The album showcases Peter Tosh’s defiance and intricate late-period Bob Marley’s soul rather than Luciano’s slickness, an outstanding combination.
He’s featured alongside Bono of U2 on the Grammy-winning “Playing for Change: Songs Around the World” album. He recently visited Northern Ghana to help shed light on their water/ sanitation crisis and generate practical solutions.
Alpha Blondy
Seydou Kone first gained international attention as Alpha Blondy on an Ivory Coast television program and then through his multi-million selling 1982 album Jah Glory. His music features Jah-centered anthems to promote love, peace, and social consciousness – his songs can be found sung in English, French, or his native Dioula language, among other tongues.
Blondy first rose to fame with the release of 1985’s Apartheid Is Nazism and 1986’s Jerusalem albums which explored his religious beliefs by uniting Islam, Judaism, and Christianity into one world religion. Recorded at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Studios for Tuff Gong Studio Tours as a Rastafarian practicing Rastafari singer; tours internationally today (his children being Soukeina Aminata Ismael). Lives in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
