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JUN 2018 SNWMF

M A G A Z I N E

REGGAE.

25th ANNUAL SNWMF 2018 ARTIST LINEUP IRIEMAG.COM IRIEMAG.COM ISSUE #05.06 / JUNE 2018

“ Peace. Love. Music.” - SNWMF

Nicholas ‘Nico’ Da Silva Founder/Editor in Chief

IRIEMAG.COM USA

SNWMF. SNWMF25 Peace. Love. Music. IRIEMAG.COM SNWMF. SNWMF25 PEACE. LOVE. MUSIC. Artwork By: Justine Ward

For 25 years, SNWMF has been dedicated to nurturing a world family peacefully united in celebration FOLLOW of the universal . The Sierra Nevada Festival promotes ‘conscious’ music. @SNWMF Conscious music is music with a message of peace, unity and brotherhood, which transcends the divisions of race and culture.

Over the past twenty four years, SNWMF has endeavored to build a community where Conscious music, Roots music, and World music is embraced. Where bringing diverse people from many lands together in celebration yields more than just the sum of each individual present, but something much grander. At SNWMF, people experience a unique sense of unity and belonging, a semi-utopian moment in time where love, generosity, joy and innocence can be reclaimed. SNWMF believes that music has the power to move mountains and change paradigms, and the phenomenal artists who have graced SNWMF stages over the past decade have imparted an overwhelmingly Positive force.

Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. The Sierra Nevada World offers a Family Camp area and an extensive program of children’s activities throughout the weekend - including yoga, music workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, bounce house, games, and other entertain- ment. Camping is an integral part of the festival because it provides affordable accommodations for ticket WEBSITE buyers, many of whom are families with children. snwmf.com

With beautiful streaming colors and exotic aromas, the Festival Village is an active marketplace of food and craft booths. The vendors are hand picked to provide an exciting array of international cuisine and IRIEMAG.COM arts. The 2017 Festival Village will be offering foods, crafts and art from such places as Indonesia, West Africa, , Ethiopia and India. We welcome the input of nonprofit organizations, and many organiza- tions representing a range of social and environmental issues will be tabling at the Festival. Created through the collective efforts of the artists, vendors, staff, volunteers and ticket buyers, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is known for the positive, conscious, environmentally aware community it attracts.

The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is dedicated to nurturing a world family peacefully united in cele- FOLLOW bration of the universal spirit of music. Come celebrate with us! @SNWMF ABOUT THE ARTWORK

This year’s original art, created by Justine Ward, features the Jamaican Doctor Bird. It is said that the Doctor Bird is powerful magic. The ancient native people of Jamaica, the Arawaks, believed the God bird to be the reincarnation of dead souls. This elusive gossamer hummingbird is the national bird of Jamaica and lives no where in the world but the Island of Jamaica. Bad juju to anyone who harms even a tiny feather on its head.

“I looked at many photos of the Doctor Bird, the way their feathers look close up, Jamaican flowers and drew inspiration from spending time with my niece by my lily pond and the work of Escher. For me it represents the expression of how music at your festival makes people feel, the solstice and the gathering of people from all over the world.” JUSTINE WARD WEBSITE snwmf.com Justine Ward, has created originally themed, hand made paintings and drawings for SNWMF since 2000, Justine designed, built and installed the backdrop for the main stage at SNWMF. You can read more about the process of constructing the backdrop, which is made from all natural materials, here. Justine is based IRIEMAG.COM in where she lives with her daughter, Kalyani. SNWMF. 25TH ANNIVERSARY Friday Lineup IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 10:30 pm

SNWMF 25 welcomes the return of ‘SingySing’ due to popular demand! Tarrus Riley’s performance at FOLLOW SNWMF 2017 was a highlight for many. Tarrus is among the leading ambassadors of modern day Tarrus Riley in Jamaica. His commanding vocals, intuitive lyrics and vibrant personality combine to create a formidable artist. His rising catalogue is described as ‘healing’ music. His foray into music was inevitable. From an early age, the talented singer and was always surrounded by music. Tarrus is the son of veteran reggae Featured singer . However, he set himself apart from his father’s legacy and created his own brand, style and signature.

Tarrus made his recording debut as a teenager. “I’ve always loved music; I used to deejay but everyone used to encourage me to sing. They used to call me ‘Singy Singy’ because I was always ,” Riley commented. “I sing for the people - this is the contribution I can make and after I make a ; it isn’t even mine anymore; it belongs to the people. I define myself so I make thought-provoking music about Black consciousness and experiences. I want to open people’s minds and let them think. My music isn’t prejudiced towards colour, Tarrus Riley Anthems class, creed or nationality.” September 8, 2015 In 2004, Tarrus released his debut album, Challenges. Two years later, in 2006, he released his sophomore WEBSITE album, Parables, to widespread acclaim and spawned hit singles - “Stay With You”, “Beware”, “She’s Royal”, tarrusriley.com and “Lion Paw”, among others. “I worked on Parables with and I wasn’t surprised at the success it has had, but how fast it all happened”, Riley reflected. “I’ve known Dean a long time and to work with him on something as great and historic as Parables, is an honour. Parables was a confidence builder and has set the IRIEMAG.COM foundation for everything else that I will bring to my audience.” In 2009 Riley released Contagious on Cannon Production. It contained the hits “Start Anew,” “Contagious,” and “Good Girl Gone Bad” featuring and Superman.” It peaked at number five on the Billboard Reg- gae Album chart. 2010 saw the release of the chart topper Protect the People, which scaled several charts in Jamaica and across the . In early 2011, Tarrus released the Black History themed ‘Shaka Zulu Pickney’ which was featured on the Nyabingi rhythm from Bombrush Music. The video for the song which was directed by Storm Saulter was well received upon its release. 2011 also saw the release of videos for hit singles including ‘Come Ova’ and FOLLOW ‘Never leave I’. Both have become anthems on Jamaican radio as well as in several Caribbean territories. Tarrus Riley Riley released the acoustic album Mecoustic (Soulbeats Records) in 2012. The album once again demon- strated the versatility of Tarrus as a vocalist and further cemented his acceptance in Jamaica as an ambas- sador for the genre. In February 2014, Tarrus released Love Situation, produced by Dean Fraser for Cannon. Shortly after its release, Love Situation earned him his first number one position on the Billboard Reggae Album chart. Tarrus works with a group of friends on a movement proudly titled BLAKSOIL Bredren Living According to King Selassie-I Overstanding & Iritical Livity. Through this movement, “I target women and children with my music because slavery tampered with the woman’s mind and that’s why I wrote ‘She’s Royal’. She’s the head of the household so she has the power to influence the young men and women of tomorrow.” His interest in educating the youth about Black History resulted in the Tarrus Riley Freedom Writers Competition which ran on Jamaica’s Irie FM radio station. Tarrus has consistently racked up awards for his work. Among his accolades are Best Singer, Male Vocalist WEBSITE of the Year, Cultural Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Song. Some of the institutions that have tarrusriley.com awarded Tarrus include the Youth View Awards, The Star People’s Choice Awards, EME Awards, and the Reggae Academy awards. In 2014, Tarrus was inducted into the Caribbean Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to music. IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. PROTOJE COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 9:00 pm

There is an exciting resurgence of conscious, organic music in Jamaica, and industry experts and observers FOLLOW agree that Protoje, born Oje Ken Ollivierre, is a forefront figurehead in what has become known as The‘ Protoje Reggae Revival’. Leading the militant band - The Indiggnation - this powerful songwriter and philosophical thinker articulates the righteous anger of an emerging generation. Protoje reports for duty, re-establishing the standard for Featured Album the decaying art of socially responsible, mentally stimulating lyricism. Protoje has successfully released three studio : his debut album THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH (2010), THE 8 YEAR AFFAIR (2013) which spawned the hits “Rasta Love” ft Ky-Mani , and “Kingston Be Wise” which featured on the soundtrack for the video game Grand Theft Auto; and ANCIENT FUTURE (2015) which featured the international hit “Who Knows” ft which topped charts worldwide and has amassed over 70 million+ views on YouTube. A man acutely aware of the passage of time, as evident by his previous album titles, Protoje will release A Matter of Time June 29, 2018 his fourth full-length studio album aptly named A MATTER OF TIME, on June 29, 2018. The ten track LP, produced by Winta James, marks the second consecutive album collaboration between the two following WEBSITE the genre-bending Ancient Future, which signaled in 2015 the advent of a fresh reinvention within the protoje.com reggae space. On this latest project, the duo continue to channel a wide array of styles and sounds, from traditional Jamaican sounds to hip-hop, , and rock, into a cohesive and original whole. A Matter Of Time ventures into new territory as much as it reaches back to it’s roots, maintaining the essence of IRIEMAG.COM Jamaican music whilst pushing the envelope in multiple new directions. With the inclusion of previously released tracks ‘Blood Money’ (hailed by Jamaican Radio Personality and Pan African Activist Mutaburuka as the number one reggae song of 2017), “Truths & Rights” featuring rising crooner Mortimer, and the fast-rising single ‘Bout Noon’, much anticipation has hung in the air for the album’s release.

A Matter Of Time was made available for pre-order on May 18, 2018, with the release of the fourth single ‘No Guarantee’ featuring ‘Who Knows’ collaborator Chronixx. FOLLOW Protoje’s visibility has steadily increased. Named on BBC 1xtra’s Hot for 2015 Artiste list, he has since Protoje appeared on the UK’s biggest music television show - BBC’s Later With Jools Holland; recorded two sessions at BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale, and has been playlisted at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.

Protoje has sold out headline UK, US, and European tours, and is a firm favourite at festival’s throughout the world, performing at the likes of Glastonbury, Coachella, Reading & Leeds, Boomtown, Summer Jam, Afro-Punk, and Canada’s Pemberton Music Festival.

WEBSITE

protoje.com

IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. JAH9 COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 7:30 pm

Deeply mystical, Jah9 has emerged from a chrysalis of poetry, dub and spirit to become a powerful femi- FOLLOW NINE energy within a universal grassroots movement of consciousness. Inspired by the open spaces in the Jah9 dub of 1970’s Jamaican roots music, Jah9 sings with a voice that belies the dimensions of her physical body, from a soul much older than its current vessel; “reminiscent of that darkly operatic wailer for truth & justice, Nina Simone.” Her philosophy-profoundly spiritual, and her style-Jazz on Dub. Featured Single Born Janine Cunningham, Jah9 spent her first 9 years in Falmouth, Trelawny, on the rural western edge of Jamaica before moving into the city of Kingston, in 1991. Transplanted in the city, this country girl, used to the idyllic Falmouth where everyone knew everyone else, was suddenly struck by chaos disguised as order in Jamaica’s capital. Highly sensitive to her surroundings, she ventured inward and found an outlet for her feelings in the words that she wrote. Growing up in a conscious family with a preacher for a father and a social worker for a mother, Janine had always been aware of the injustices in the world. However, it was not until she was on campus at the Love Has Found I University of the West Indies (UWI) that she would embark on a pivotal journey to find her true voice. At April 06, 2018 UWI, she would gather with a group of fellow socially conscious and brethren by a fire to steam

WEBSITE herbs and reason for long hours. There her heart was opened to the teachings of I and her jah9.com ears to the hypnotic bass of the heavy dub rhythms of . Janine eventually embraced her child- hood nickname, Jah9, as she learnt the significance of the word Jah‘ ’ and the number ‘9’. A staple on Jamaica’s underground poetry scene by 2009, in instrumental dub she found a place where IRIEMAG.COM her words could live, and the songs she started to write found eager encouragement. Jah9 began record- ing with renowned keyboardist and flautist Sheldon Bernard and her demos caught the attention of the legendary , who then began helping to develop her recording technique. She later teamed up with popular producer Donovan Bennett of Don Corleon Records and released her first two singles in late 2010. Her focus and determination eventually culminated in the release of her debut album entitled New Name, a homage to her personal spiritual journey produced by pioneer selector and roots producer Rory ‘Stone Love’ Gilligan. Since 2013, Jah9 has performed on the main stage with her band ‘The Dub Treatment’ at most major Euro- FOLLOW pean and US reggae festivals. Described as “black magic” and “possessing a chilling yet bewitching vibrato Jah9 evoking a young Ella Fitzgerald and a rootsy coolness a la Erykah Badu” her dub-filled live performances elevate consciousness and invoke a spiritual reawakening. Jah9, a certified yoga instructor trained in Kemetic, Ashtanga and Iyengar methods, has been known to compel her audiences during her live set to pause, breathe deeply and feel empowered. She opens minds and soaks them in knowledge and positivity. As a way to intimately engage with her fan base, Jah9 also curates an organic rhythm-based yoga experience she calls ‘Yoga on Dub’. Jah9 is rooted in her African heritage and driven to serve. In 2015, while on tour in Italy and Malta she was intent on engaging with African refugees, sharing with them insight on the new environment they would face, natural wellness as well as yoga/breathing as healing therapy. Jah9’s words are a reflection of the life she has constructed. Considered a nation builder and community activist, she has been heavily involved in youth development work. She has helped develop programs for at-risk youth in Kingston, worked on the creation of “Healing of the Nation” public awareness campaign WEBSITE and been at the core of the creation of the non-profit youth and arts advocacy group known as Manifesto jah9.com JA in 2005. Jah9 has established for herself a foundation as a formidable lyricist and revolutionary force empowered by her femiNINE - that which is found in the symbolism of 9, the symbol of creation and womb of the universe. IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. KINGSTON RUDIESKA COUNTRY: SOUTH KOREA STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 10:45 pm

Kingston Rudieska, the nine-piece Korean band, filter and fuse ska, jazz, reggae, dub and nyahbinghi FOLLOW through the Korean experience. The group has drawn and explosive responses from fans across Asia. Kingston Rudieska Through their 100+ performances each year, including a handful of large headlining slots, they won “The Largest Attraction” award at KT&G Sang Sang Ma Dang. Although South Korea is about as far from Jamaica as a country could be, that hasn’t prevented authentic Featured Album Jamaican music, namely ska and reggae, from reaching her shores. Korea’s first traditional ska band, Kings- ton Rudieska, has been paying respect to since they began in 2004. The nine- piece band blends bluebeat, ska, jazz, reggae, dub, and nyahbinghi chanting into a final product that is uniquely Korean; something the band has dubbed “Feast Ska.” Their shows mix foot-stomping , accompanied by a four-piece , with warm, soulful vocals sung by “Sugar” Seok Yul Lee. Their performances are punctuated with a jammy, improvisational vibe as many of the members are trained jazz musicians. The music pays enormous respect to ska pioneers, . It’s not uncommon, during a set, to hear an Everyday People impromptu Skatalites cover kick off an improvisational jam to the delight of the crowd. December 01, 2014 Over the past fourteen years, they’ve come a long way from playing dingy basement clubs to appearing on

WEBSITE some of the nation’s biggest stages, fostering a love of Jamaican rhythms to a nation still newly discover- kingstonrudieska.com ing the genre. They’ve appeared at nearly all of Korea’s major music festivals, including Jisan Valley , Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, Busan Rock Festival, Seoul Jazz Festival, Rainbow Island Music Festival, and Grand Mint Festival. Additionally, Kingston Rudieska has appeared on numerous televised

IRIEMAG.COM music programs in Korea. Kingston Rudieska has had the privilege of performing with many other talented musicians and bands. They’ve shared the stage with Japanese bands such as Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Eskargot Miles, and Cool Wise Men, North American groups and Chris Murray Combo, as well as Babylove and the van Dangos (Denmark), T-bone (Thailand), (), Dr. Ring Ding Ska Vaganza (Germany), and Skazz (). Most recently, they recorded an EP with Jamaican music legend Dr. Ring Ding (Germany). They recorded their first single in 2006, and since then they’ve released three full-length albums, not to mention one EP and a couple digital singles, and contributed a track to the United Colors of FOLLOW Ska 4.0 compilation on Pork Pie Records (Germany). Kingston Rudieska

Kingston Rudieska have taken their next giant leap towards world ska domination with their 2016 double CD release, Everyday People. As evidenced by their previous albums, the band’s musicality and devotion to Jamaican styles has never been in doubt. But Everyday People shows a more mature group intent on bringing new concepts to a classic genre. Undoubtedly, the most exciting aspect of this album is the production efforts of Brian Dixon, formerly of the Aggrolites. His old-school studio techniques and Gestalt approach to music has tapped into the sounds of classic Jamaican recordings and, somehow, old Korean psychedelic rock cuts as well. The result is a soulful, warm vibe. Everyday People is an example of how the right producer can elevate a band to a better version of themselves.

Beginning with their previous full length release, 3rd Kind, it seems Kingston Rudieska has been explor- ing different genres and ideas. Everyday People continues in that vein. The first track, “Walking, Talking, Thinking”, is a wonderful mashup of , dub and jam, and it sets the mood for the rest of the album. The majority of the album sounds 100% like classic Kingston Rudieska with that aforementioned WEBSITE Brian Dixon dynamic. The instruments, especially the organ, blend beautifully with one another, and much kingstonrudieska.com of the song writing recalls their early days of , a la the Skatalites, but without the baggage of trying too hard to sound “authentic.” IRIEMAG.COM The one track that best exhibits this maturation is “East & West”. It’s a jammy instrumental featuring Choe Hwi Seon on the Yanggeum, a traditional Korean folk instrument similar to a dulcimer, that shows off their ska chops and celebrates their Korean roots. “Never, No More” features guest saxophone Tommy Tornado. The is just gorgeous and the chorus gets stuck in your head whether you want it there or not. Kim Dae Min (drums) and Son Hyung Sick (bass) groove hard throughout the album but their shine is especially bright on this track. A common genre visited throughout the album is lover’s rock, that old FOLLOW romantic reggae sound from the 70’s. Vocalist Sugar Suk Yuel croons tenderly over the exquisite strings of Kingston Rudieska Kim Violin on “On the Beach” and his broken heart transcends the language barrier on “The Way You Are”. He even conjures up the old Wailers sound on “Gimme Some Love” with the suggestive refrain and reverb soaked backing harmonies. Another love song, “You Are the One”, is sung with confidence and finesse by longtime saxophone player Sung Nock Won, whose smooth tenor blends well with the soul feel of the verses. Hopefully his vocal abilities will be featured more in the future as it is clear he is up to the task.

Bands with long careers can often stagnate from album to album. Perhaps they find some success with their first sound and never really grow beyond that. Or the opposite can happen and one offering sounds so different from the previous one that fans can be left disappointed. Their 2016 release is proof that Kingston Rudieska continue to grow and focus new inspiration even after ten years since they first stepped onstage. This is one of those rare albums where every track is a winner; the compulsion to press “play” one more time waits for you at the end of every listen.

Now, in 2018, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival would like you to help celebrate Kingston Rudieska WEBSITE performing in the for the very first time this June, and they look forward to sharing their kingstonrudieska.com version of original ska with our audience. As with all the bands we have hosted from Korea, we are confi- dent they will make a mark for themselves, and their performance will be talked about.

IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. JAH SUN COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 7:45 pm

Jah Sun is a distinguished reggae / world music artist whose message of hope has captivated audiences FOLLOW worldwide. Drawing inspiration from an eclectic mix of musical styles, Jah Sun aspires to awaken in his Jah Sun audience the desire to meet the challenges of life and to live to their ultimate potential.

Jah Sun’s upbeat and hopeful view of life first emerged during his childhood. Growing up in a bicultural family gave him a unique perspective not only on life but also on music.

Jah Sun makes music that strikes for its uncommon consistency: inspirational lyrics, dreamy melodies, and atmospheric textures, as well as direct beats that really drive the vision forward. Throughout the years, Jah Sun has had the opportunity to travel all across the world extensively, playing his songs for people of all walks of life and meeting new cultures that eventually went on to really impact his music style.

Don’t miss his recent release, “Between The Lines”, an eclectic showcase of musical chops and lyrical abilities. Other than classic reggae overtone, the album features many world music influences, echoing the work of artists such as or Eugene Hutz, just to mention a few.

WEBSITE

jahsunmusic.com

IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. QUEEN MAKEDA COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 9:15 pm

Queen Makedah’s healing music infuses sultry r&b, soul and jazz vocals into contemporary reggae and FOLLOW worldbeat rhythms. Born and raised in the midst of Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine Street Jazz Dis- Queen Makedah trict - home of the legendary alto-sax player Charlie Parker - QUEEN MAKEDAH’S role models were sing- ers like Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Phoebe , Roberta Flack, Minnie Ripperton, Cheryl Lynn, Chaka Khan and Phyllis Hyman. Following the lead of such vocal trailblazers, the talented young songstress won a host of local talent shows and a recording contract by age 16.

As a youth during the turbulent 70’s in America, Queen Makedah’s passion for reggae music was kindled by the truth and rights message and revolutionary sound of the legendary and The Wailers, backed by the soulful harmonies of the I-Three’s reggae queens , and . Makedah’s talent as a songwriter began to bud in Israel, out of which her freshman album arose - ‘The Awakening’ (co-produced by Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus).

She has since co-produced her sophomore album ‘Spiritual Healing,’ an EP entitled ‘Bless Africa’ and is currently working on her 3rd album ‘Peace Process.’ The Peace Process album will unleash a series of collaborative tracks with I records [I Grade/Haile Tabernacle/Lustre Kings], including new singles WEBSITE ‘Suspicious,’ ‘I Am Shem,’ ‘King Queen ,’ and ‘Blessed’ - the first of an exciting new wave of conscious queenmakedah.com music for fans to enjoy.

Since touring the U.S., Queen Makedah has shared the stage with reggae greats like Don Carlos, Sister IRIEMAG.COM Carol, the Twinkle Brothers, The Rastafarians, , Rootz Underground, Bambu Station and Groundation at some of the most celebrated world music festivals in the world, including the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF), the Northwest World Reggae Festival (NWWRF), and Monterey Bay Reggae Fest (MBRF) to name a few, plus Groundation’s Tribute Celebration at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. Through her non-profit, Empress Meditations, Queen Makedah has worked to bring recognition to women in reggae/world music, while raising donations for charity.

The ‘Women for Peace’ tour visited Sebastapol, Nevada City, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Berkeley, Pacifica, FOLLOW Point Richmond’s Summer Series, and Oregon’s Northwest World Reggae Festival, plus aided A Queen Makedah Safe Place, Oakland’s oldest shelter for victims of domestic violence. QUEEN MAKEDAH’S MUSIC can be purchased at Cdbaby.com, Itunes.com, Spotify, Ebreggae.com and all major digital music outlets.

WEBSITE

queenmakedah.com

IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. NATTY COUNTRY: UNITED KINGDOM STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 6:00 pm

Hailing from North , Natty grew up surrounded by an eclectic mix of sounds from Neil Young to FOLLOW Bob Marley. Although interested enough in music to write songs from an early age it was while working in Natty Sphere Studios, Battersea that he really discovered his talent. By day he was engineering for some of the biggest names in pop music, and by night this gave him the inspiration to nurture his own sounds.

Featured Album Soon he garnered a devout following from his open mic sessions and Vibes and Pressure nights which have seen the likes of Ben Howard, Ed Sheeran, Wretch32, and perform.

The success of his debut album Man Like I captivated the well deserved attention of the UK media and press. It established Natty as a well-respected songwriter and festival favourite across Europe and Japan, where he had a number 1 hit with the single “Badman.”

TV Highlights include performing on Later with Jools Holland, ITV News and The BBC Electric Proms. Collaborations include work with Nitin Sawhney, Roots Manuva, Tony Allen and Busy Signal. Release the Fear February 29, 2016 We look forward to Natty’s debut performance at SNWMF!

WEBSITE nattymusic.com

IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. SAMPLING DUB COUNTRY: COLOMBIA STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 6:00 pm

From Bogota, Columbia, Sampling DUB provides a fresh and exciting sound. Sampling Dub is a perfor- FOLLOW mance of Live Dub that was born through Sampling Studios. A recording studio located in the city of Sampling Dub Bogotá-Colombia, driven and founded by German Sampling. For the last 7 years he has produced music exclusively with the most representative artists of the local and international Reggae scene.

WEBSITE

samplingstudios.com

IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. JAH SHAKA COUNTRY: UNITED KINGDOM STAGE: DANCEHALL - 11:00 pm

Reigning as the king of the soundsystem in his native London, throughout the UK and all over the world, FOLLOW the mighty Jah Shaka returns to control the late-night Dancehall for our 25th Anniversary festival this Jah Shaka year. As is the tradition here, he will be performing over Comanche High Power’s custom , shaking the hall with his own productions, dubplates and the best of the UK steppers sound, a genre which he practically invented. Featured Album The first Jamaican sound systems began in the late fifties, a time when, coincidentally, a large number of Jamaicans were leaving their island for England. Naturally, Jamaican “Sounds” sprang up there too, to cater to the expats who took up residence in the various cities, most notably London.

The two most important elements of a Jamaican style sound system, particularly in the UK, are selection of records and sheer volume, emphasizing an apocalyptic amount of BASS. Most sessions (reggae dances) are held in hidden, often private, basement venues of inner cities, where they usually begin no earlier than

The Positive Message midnight, don’t really get going until 3 AM, and can finish about the time the sun comes up. April 22, 2010 While it may sound strange that they are hidden away, the sound emanating from the premises makes it clear something special is going on, even if one cannot immediately figure out where, exactly, and the obscure locations help shield the dances from intrusions by uninvited authorities (e. g. ).

During the 1970s, Jah Shaka, whose nom-de-dj is taken from the African King Shaka Zulu, served an

IRIEMAG.COM apprenticeship with the Freddie Cloudburst sound system, and then started something entirely new: a cultural, Rastafarian-oriented sound system in the UK. His taste in conscious music with a message combined with his exclusive and extremely heavy dub plates (soft wax/acetate platters with special mixes or altogether unique tracks) played at maximum intensity has ensured his permanent legacy as one of the UK’s top Selectors.

By the close of the 1970s, Shaka added music production and recording to his dj/selecting career. The 10 Commandments were rewritten musically by Shaka, becoming 10 Commandments of Dub albums of FOLLOW thunderous proportion. Jah Shaka He began working with Jamaican artists , Max Romeo, , and Prince Allah, as well as local stars Junior Brown and Vivian Jones, producing singles as well as LPs for those and many other reggae artists. In addition, he formed his own ensemble, the Fasimbas, and produced many records featuring them and his own vocals as well.

But for many, the essence of Shaka’s work is Shaka himself, towering over the turntable, seemingly in a trance but always ready to intone conscious interjections while changing to the next platter, and the sounds that blast from his own custom made amplifiers and speakers.

That brings up another unique aspect of his performance: while many selectors work with two turntables so as to blend one record into the next, “Shaka style” has come to mean using only one turntable and filling the time in between tracks with Rastafarian-centric speeches, delivered while he set up the next record for play. As any selector knows, this is a real art form, to not let the vibes die down while changing records is quite a difficult task, one that Shaka has perfected.

Another well-known Jah Shaka trademark is to let the record begin with only the treble coming through the speakers, and then, with a dramatic punch and feel, he will unleash the bass at the appropriate time, usually to the enthusiastic approval of his gathered crowd. IRIEMAG.COM Not one to be content with only a musical message, Shaka has set up the Jah Shaka Foundation to assist with projects in Jamaica, Ethiopia, and Ghana. Shaka has managed to distribute medical supplies, wheel- chairs, library books, and carpentry tools to clinics, schools, and radio stations. The man truly puts his mon- ey where his mouth is and his contributions to various societies is recognized the world over.

The return of the mighty warrior Jah Shaka is sure to be a highlight at this year’s Dancehall, and as always he promises to bring exclusive dubplates and productions to run on Comanche’s custom sound system. FOLLOW When Shaka meets Comanche, walls will shake and the floor will quiver with the massive vibrations! Jah Shaka

WEBSITE nattymusic.com

IRIEMAG.COM FRIDAY. JAH WARRIOR SHELTER HI-FI COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: DANCEHALL - 8:00 pm

Known for their quality selection and performance, Jah Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi has been entertaining the Bay FOLLOW Area and beyond since 1998, with a legacy that reaches back into the late 80’s Sound System scene of New Jah Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi York City. As CA’s leading reggae sound system, they feature selectors Irie Dole, King I-Vier and Jah Yzer, along with recording artist, Rocker T.

In 2013 Jah Yzer and King I-Vier started the Royal Order Music label, turning out some of today’s heavy roots hits. Irie Dole now resides in Maui where he is conquering the 808 radio waves and continuing with artist development and promotion. Rocker-T recently released ‘Tru Ganjaman: The ’ and can be seen around the West Coast with his Dubsmashers live dub experience. When JWSHF comes together it is an experience not to be missed!

IRIEMAG.COM SNWMF. 25TH ANNIVERSARY Saturday Lineup IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. BERES HAMMOND COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 10:30 pm

Don’t be deceived by Beres Hammond’s cool profile. The playful smile, the unassuming demeanor, the FOLLOW beard and the cap and the spectacles might lull you into forgetting that you’re in the presence of an Beres Hammond awesome musical talent, Jamaica’s greatest practicing singer/songwriter.

Beres remains cool, though he knows that he’s one of a handful of people responsible for maintaining a mighty legacy of soulful reggae music—a select group of artists like Toots and Gregory, like Dennis and Bob. “Father bless me with a song,” he pleads on the last cut of his latest album, Music Is Life, “to make the whole world sing along. Regardless of the race, regardless of the taste.” In the year 2001, the blessings just keep coming, and the world is just starting to catch on.

Over the course of a 30-year career, Beres has poured his smoky-sweet voice—an instrument of subtlety and power reminiscent of an or a Teddy Pendergrass—over every kind of riddim track, from the funked-up reggae jams of the ’70s fusion band Zap Pow to the lush instrumentation of his 1976 album Soul Reggae to the spare digital beat of his 1985 dancehall breakthrough “What One Dance Can Do.”

In 1990, his album A Love Affair for Donovan Germaine’s Penthouse label raised his popularity to new heights. Cuts like “Tempted To Touch” and “Who Say” with are still as effective in the dance- WEBSITE hall today as they were as pre-releases. The ’90s proved to be Hammond’s decade, during which he blazed vprecords.com a trail of modern classics for a variety of producers, from the strugglers’ anthem “Putting Up Resistance” (Tappa) to lovers’ laments like “Come Back Home” (Star Trail) and “Double Trouble” (Steely & Clevie). IRIEMAG.COM Beres started building his home studio in the early ’90s, before it became the trend among successful reggae artists to take over their own production duties. But his spontaneous method of composing, and his unwillingness to compromise, made a home studio the natural choice. Although the trend of self-produc- tion as a whole has, at times, diluted the quality of music coming from isolated individuals poking at com- puter keyboards, Beres’s little music room attracts a steady stream of Jamaica’s most talented musicians.

“The room have a sound,” he says of his simple but effective analog sound lab. “Some of them say it remind FOLLOW them of the old days at Channel One.” Ace session bands like the , drummers like , Beres Hammond hornsmen like Dean Fraser, and a variety of talented singers and deejays, both veterans and up-and-com- ers—all come to “hold a joy”, play a game of Ludi, share a smoke and a laugh, and to make music together. “When they go in my studio, they don’t want to come out,” Beres explains with humorous understatement. But he knows all too well that the survival of classical reggae music depends on such oases of creativity. “We a try bring back the golden days of the Seventies, when reggae had the live drums and horn sections.”

The rub-a-dub groove of his current smash single “They Gonna Talk” (track two on Music Is Life) was re- corded right there in the home studio by Flabba Holt and Style Scott of the legendary Roots Radics, whose are clearly as powerful today as when they were the backing band for giants like . No computer can rock quite as steady as these veteran musicians. “I personally don’t believe in a whole heap of technology business,” says Beres. “It’s all about what you have to offer. As long as your vibes is there, that’s what the people feel.”

Beres’s sophisticated musical taste is well suited to translate easily across cultural divides, yet the interna- WEBSITE tional reggae massive has remained his most loyal fan base. He did collaborate on ’s first Amer- vprecords.com ican hit, “How Can We Ease The Pain,” in 1990. A brief encounter with Elektra Records in 1994 yielded the excellent but under-appreciated album In Control with its R&B-flavored single “No Disturb Sign.”

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. COCAO TEA COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 8:45 pm

Making his third appearance on our Valley Stage, SNWMF once again welcomes the smooth and deadly FOLLOW vocals of one of Jamaica’s long time superstars, . A hit-maker almost right from the beginning, Cocoa Tea Cocoa Tea remains one of the most sought after artists on the west coast, not to mention the entire world, and always puts in one of the best performances of the night anywhere he appears.

Cocoa Tea earned his stage name, through his love for ...?... you guessed it, hot cocoa (cocoa tea, as it is called in rural Jamaica). Attributing his inspiration to Jah, he has said his aim was to become a role model, a source of learning and inspiration, like the great Bob Marley, whom he so admires.

As he put it, “There is a lack of consciousness...it (the music) is becoming what it has not been.” In response, Cocoa Tea has tried his best to remedy that situation.

Cocoa Tea began his adult life working as a jockey (a calling he has kept his hand in, becoming an owner of thoroughbred horses later in life), and then as a fisherman. It was during this time as a fisherman that he began structuring his music career by performing in local , where he would test his lyrics on the various sound systems that came to play in his area. WEBSITE

His success at the sound system dances strengthened his purpose and encouraged him to continue in the cocoateamusic.com music business, so he began writing songs and training his voice. The final push came when his first child, Rashane, was born, and the need for a steady income plunged him into music full time.

IRIEMAG.COM Two months after a particularly impressive performance at a dance in 1983, he journeyed to Kingston where he met Henry “Junjo” Lawes, owner of the Volcano sound system and . “Who’s The Champion” and his first big hit, “Rocking Dolly,” were the first products from what was to be a successful union. These songs along with “Christmas Is Coming,” and “On Top Of The World,” were all compiled with his next big hit, “I Lost My Sonia” to comprise his first album, I Lost My Sonia, released soon afterward.

In 1985 Cocoa Tea became a Rastafarian, and that conversion was reflected in his music, with songs like FOLLOW “Settle Down,” “Too Much Fussing And Fighting,” “86 Flood,” “Highest Mountain,” “Tune In,” “Must Unite” Cocoa Tea being included on a subsequent LP, Settle Down, for then ruling producer ’s. Also included on that hit album was his reprise song “(Cocoa Tea) Come Again”, in which he reminds the massive that he is on the scene and not planning on leaving anytime soon!

Cocoa Tea has been performing all over the world since 1984, with extensive tours to the USA, Canada, the Caribbean and Japan. Even while being an international attraction, he has stayed loyal to his home base. He appears regularly at all major in Jamaica, and has appeared on reggae’s premiere event, , nearly every year since 1987.

He recently noted his three most memorable performances to date: his first performance at Sunsplash in 1987, a show in Canada where he performed for two hours non-stop, and his performance in St. Croix, VI, where he appeared before 10,000 people in the pouring rain.

Always the humble superstar, when asked what he hoped his legacy would be, he answered “If one of my WEBSITE songs can be remembered and/or quoted, and be of inspiration or guidance to anyone, then I shall be for- cocoateamusic.com ever happy with my contribution musically.” There is that legacy has been fulfilled.

SNWMF is especially proud to be presenting this musical giant to our stage one more time; no one should pass up a chance to get themselves some sweet, sweet Cocoa Tea! IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. ROMAIN VIRGO COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 5:55 pm

They say stars are not made, they are born. Twenty-eight years ago, in the Stepney District of St. Ann, FOLLOW Jamaica (about 1km from the birth place of Bob Marley) Romain Renaldo Virgo was born. Like most of the Romain Virgo popular music greats, Romain’s musical foray began at a church concert at age 9, where it was recognized that he had an unusual talent for singing. Several church functions and gold-medal winning cultural events later, Romain led his school’s choir to a second place finish in a nationally televised high school choir com- petition called ‘the All Together Sing’ in 2006.

The following year, at 17, Romain became the youngest winner of Digicel Rising Stars - Jamaica’s most popular talent search competition. Throughout the competition, Romain was scintillating and sensational, outshining his opponents with singing skills that seemed to stretch far beyond the talent of a 17 year old. His win led to another first. This was an endorsement deal from epsiP Cola Jamaica, with his picture on the Pepsi drink bottle - making him the first Jamaican with such endorsement.

2009 saw Romain beginning work on his debut album, Romain Virgo, with the help of of Penthouse Music and Dawin Brown of Vikings Productions. Romain quickly released his self-penned de- but hit single, ‘Can’t Sleep.’ ‘Can’t Sleep’s’ appealing reggae grooves coupled with Romain’s animated deliv- WEBSITE ery and catchy hook underscored the grim ghetto realities in its lyrics, that are still relevant today: ‘This is vprecords.com a serious time/violence and crime and a bare gun thing di youths dem have pon dem mind/Micyan sleep/a pure gunshot a beat.’ His next singles ‘Love Doctor’ on the Automatic rhythm, and ‘Wanna Go Home (Rain is Falling)’ followed the success of his first single, and received immense air play. IRIEMAG.COM After signing to VP records in February of 2010, Romain released his much anticipated album, Romain Virgo, in the summer of that year to much critical acclaim. The 15-track album provided much-needed positive messages to the young people, written and sung by one of their own. Romain also started to make a name for himself overseas with multiple successful tours in the U.S. and Europe.

In 2011, Romain became the first reggae artiste to perform at the Academy of Country Music Awards alongside the Gatlin Brothers singing their hit, ‘California’, for which Romain had previously done a reggae FOLLOW remake on the VP released album, Reggae’s Gone Country. Romain Virgo The release of his sophomore album, The System furthered his progress. A few days after its release in May 2012, The System debuted at the number six spot on the Reggae Billboard chart. Recorded primarily at Penthouse Studios, Romain attributes the excellence of The System to an exceptionally talented team of Jamaican producers working with some of the island’s finest musicians.

Since then, this talented young singer has continued to build a rich catalogue of songs that are now long- standing reggae favorites including ‘Rich In Love’, ‘Taking You Home’, ‘I Know Better’, ‘Don’t You Remem- ber’, ‘Soul Provider’, ‘Stay With Me’ and ‘Fade Away’ which features AKA Agent Sasco.

For years now, Romain has been performing many live shows globally and riding the wave of his success. He has a forthcoming album called Lovesick slated for release in the first quarter of 2018. A few of the singles already released from this album include ‘Now’ and ‘Trouble and Still’. Romain Virgo is on a mission to make extraordinary music that uplifts, entertains and touches many people positively worldwide. WEBSITE vprecords.com

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. THE COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 7:20 pm

The Mighty Diamonds—Donald “Tabby” Shaw, Fitzroy ”Bunny” Simpson and Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson FOLLOW formed in 1969 in the area of Kingston, Jamaica. They are the most consistent and long- Mighty Diamonds running vocal trio in Jamaican musical history and for the past 41 years have been entertaining and educating the world with their sweet harmonies and conscious lyrics.

With their soulful harmonies and polished performances, they quickly became known as the young group with the Motown sound. Their first recordings at Dynamic Sounds ventuallye led them to their classic hit “Shame and Pride” in 1973.

Their first hit singles “ Country Living” and “ Hey Girl” were recorded on One label. After touring the US with , the group signed to Virgin Records in 1975 and recorded four albums. Their debut album “ ”, released on Virgin has become a classic.

By 1982, “Pass the Kutchie” from the album ‘Changes’ had become an international hit and has since been covered by , whose version “” has also been a hit all over the world.

Tabby, Bunny and Judge have produced over 40 albums in their long career. The trio has toured the world extensively and has a strong following in Europe and Japan as well as in the US. WEBSITE themightydiamonds.net In Jamaica they are forever loved. On stage antics of the Mighty Diamonds are reminiscent of the Four Tops with their animated hand gestures and energetic footwork. Favorites of the crowd, roots or progressive audiences. IRIEMAG.COM The Mighty Diamonds continue to achieve stardom on their own terms, wrapping a militant message in some of the prettiest melodies around. Even with their mushrooming international popularity, the Mighty Diamonds have not forgotten their roots which come from the unique cultural potpourri of Jamaica with its harsh ghetto realities and its irresistible reggae pulse.

The Mighty Diamonds are remarkable for the fact that the three founding members have remained to- gether, despite the ever-changing and cut-throat music business, for 41 years -- and counting! They find FOLLOW strength and inspiration in their faith in Rastafari and their love of Jah. Their message is one of unity, love Mighty Diamonds and at times, rebellion in the face of injustice.

Their unquestionable reputation for a stylized traditional and polished sound has earned them promi- nence as a model reggae harmony trio.

On Sunday November 1, 2009, in celebration of the 79th Anniversary of the coronation of Haile Selassie— TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music held their 5th annual Reggae Culture Salute at Nazareth High School Performance Center in Brooklyn, .

The Mighty Diamonds were awarded a Congressional Proclamation from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, of the 11th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York along with a Citation from Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President and the first ever Award for Excellence from TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music.

WEBSITE themightydiamonds.net

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 4:35 pm

Half Pint’s diminutive stature belies not only his vocal capabilities but also camouflages his huge on-stage FOLLOW presence, often described as no less than explosive and dynamic. Born Lindon Roberts, but affectionately Half Pint called Half Pint, he is a product of the West Kingston enclave of Rose Lane, a community in adjacent prox- imity to Trenchtown which has produced the likes of Bob Marley, , , Lee “Scratch” Perry, and a host of other international Reggae superstars.

Half Pint began singing in the school choir at All Saints’ Primary School. Upon completion of his secondary education in 1976, he made a head-on thrust into Jamaica’s music industry. Pint toured the island with various sound systems including , Jammys, Gemini, Lee’s Unlimited and Killimanjaro, earning respect along the way as a talented vocalist and performer.

Lindon Roberts was sought by and subsequently worked with top producers such as Errol (John) Marshall; Errol (Myrie) Lewis; Prince (King) Jammy; the rhythm twins, ; George Phang; Jack Scorpio, Bobby “Digital” Dixon and Mass Hugh to name a few. He also lent his vocal talent to local peers like Gar- nett Silk, and among others.

In 1983, Pint’s first single, “Sally,” was released followed by “Winsome,” the virtual anthem of the day. He WEBSITE continued to bombard the local and international Reggae scenes with a slew of hits, including “Mr. Land- halfpintmusic.com lord,” “Level the Vibes,” “Substitute Lover” and the massive chart topper, “Victory.” Besides hit singles, Half Pint has also managed to deliver an impressive cache of albums, most of which are still in demand world- IRIEMAG.COM wide. His colossal fan base is universal and remains consistently dedicated, especially in Europe, Japan, Brazil, and the West Coast of the United States.

Pint’s prolific song writing ability was officially recognized with the verco of “Winsome” by world re- nowned rock group, in 1987 and which they renamed “Too Rude”; and by the pop group Sublime’s adaptation of “Loving” in 1996. An extremely hard-working artist, this singer has continued to maintain a presence through various tours and guest appearances. FOLLOW Half Pint He has played to non-traditional audiences at world music festivals including rock concerts and has consis- tently found new fans with each gig. Half Pint’s exposure to the big screen has come with the movies The Mighty Quinn (1989), Substitute 2 (1998), and Mookie (1999), all Original Motion Picture Soundtracks.

Appearances on major music television channels like MTV, has further helped to encrypt the respect he enjoys from industry personnel and fans alike, solidifying his reputation as one of reggae’s few living legends.

Please welcome Half Pint to the SNWMF stage for the first time!

WEBSITE halfpintmusic.com

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. RANDY VALENTINE COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 2:05 pm

This versatile singer, songwriter and producer hails from the countryside of Clarendon in Jamaica. As a FOLLOW child growing up, he was heavily influenced by his father’s love for music which was expressed mostly via Randy Valentine his father’s sound system, Shining Star Sound.

In 2005, two years after his family emigrated to the UK, Randy started his music career as a local DJ. He performed in clubs in and out of London which led to him working for two years on a online Radio Station Featured Single under the moniker DJ KWES.

Randy Valentine’s career has been growing from strength to strength since the release of his debut mix- tape Bring Back The Love in 2012 where he sang over thirteen tracks - all built upon Studio One Riddims, such as “Stalag Riddim”, “Bobby Babylon Riddim” and “Lecturer Riddim.” Since then, it has been described by some to be a Reggae Classic.

His first official EP Break The Chain released in 2014, confirmed his status as one of the leadingoung y Same War reggae artists. The project topped Itunes reggae sales charts in over nine countries. June 01, 2018

His second EP Still Pushing” (produced by Joe Ariwa, the son of legendary ) was released WEBSITE in 2015, and went straight to the top of the Itunes reggae charts again - confirming that Randy is not a randyvalentine.online passing sensation but here to stay.

2015 was also the year in which Randy started to explore different genres of music, and was featured on IRIEMAG.COM ’s EP: “.” The EP reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance / Electronic albums. Randy also collaborated on one of the most talked about musical projects of the year: Wu Tang’s unique album copy of Once upon a time in Shaolin.

His project, Radio Music, released in 2016 is a 19-track mixtape recorded over a series of classic instrumentals mostly from the late 1990’s (often considered one of the “golden ages” of Hip-Hop). When asked why he chose these specific instrumentals his answer was plainly “They inspire me to inspire others.” FOLLOW Randy Valentine Randy’s most recent venture, the Meets Kingston Sound System show featuring Randy Valentine (JA) and Solis (CU) hit the Australian shores for a successful tour this past October 2017. The first single released by the British-Jamaican Valentine and Cuban Solis in February 2017 made waves across the UK and Europe.

Randy Valentine has been constantly travelling the world over the past few years, including playing at major European festivals Summerjam, Reggaejam and Reggae Gell. He’s toured the US, Central America, Australia and the UK as well.

We are so looking forward to Randy Valentine’s set at SNWMF25!

WEBSITE randyvalentine.online

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. DAVID HILLYARD & ROCKSTEADY 7 COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 4:30 pm

David Hillyard & the Rocksteady 7, is an American Ska and from New York, New York that FOLLOW formed in 1992. It became through a meeting of Hillyard and veteran percussionist Larry MacDonald at Rocksteady 7 a Skatalites concert and reflects their common love of Ska, Reggae, Jazzz and Latin Music. Given reg- gae’s globally reaching influence, the Rocksteady 7 holds true to the genre’s roots and the self-described “Jamaican Jazz” sound combines ska, rocksteady and reggae with extended , intricate melodies, and complex harmonies. The group incorporates many diverse elements of world music with rocksteady rhythms, including ska, jazz, calypso, as well as early African and American jazz influences.

MacDonald is a living legend. He is part of the first generation of Jamaican musicians to create Ska and Reggae music in the 1950s through the 1970s. He played with Carlos Malcolm Afro-Jamaicans and on numerous classic reggae recordings such as the conga breaks on Toot and the Maytals class “Funky Kings- ton,” as well as tracks by Peter Tosh, , and Lee Perry. In 2017, MacDonald toured with Lee “Scratch” Perry.

Tenor and soprano saxophonist David Hillyard is one of the innovators of the American ska scene and is at the forefront of the jazz and reggae scene. The talented musician-arranger-composer has been instru- mental in creating and re-popularizing the sound of “Jamaican Rock n Roll” and “Ska Jazz” and has been a professional musician for over 20 years. He continues to be a key member of that organization and has appeared on their ten cd releases and thousands of live gigs in the USA, Canada, Japan, Latin America and Europe. IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. LA MISA NEGRA COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 10:50 pm

La Misa Negra is a 7-piece band from Oakland, California, known for their unique blend of heavyweight FOLLOW cumbia and high-energy, Afro-Latin music. On stage, they deliver an electrifying performance that ex- La Misa Negra plodes with infectious dance grooves and energy, powered by horn and accordion-driven riffs, a fierce rhythm section, and a vintage-inspired sound.

Since their live debut in the fall of 2013, La Misa Negra has toured the country, sharing stages and festival bills with the likes of , Stevie Wonder, , Thievery Corporation, SZA, Mon Laferte, , Ana Tijoux, Bomba Estereo, George Clinton, , Budos Band, and . On the strength of their wild and one-of-a-kind shows, they have gained a reputation as one of the most exciting live bands to emerge from the Bay Area in recent years, garnering a diverse fan base that transcends musical, cultural, and generational divides.

Founded by composer, guitarist, and accordion player, Marco Polo Santiago, the band consists of Co- lombian-born Diana Trujillo (lead vocals), Justin Chin (tenor & baritone sax), Morgan Nilsen (tenor sax & ), Craig Bravo (drums & percussion), Elena de Troya (percussion), and Paul Martin Sounder (upright bass & percussion). Together, the unlikely collective combines a wealth of musical influences as diverse as WEBSITE their cultural backgrounds, but it’s Marco Polo’s affinity for hip-hop and heavy metal that inspires much of lamisanegra.com the band’s sound and identity - evident in their name, on-stage antics, and popular t-shirt designs.

Now, four years after dropping their debut album, Misa de Medianoche, La Misa Negra returns with a IRIEMAG.COM self-titled, sophomore effort that they’ve dubbed, “the red album.” Channeling Colombia’s Golden Age, they dive into retro-future cumbia, with tracks like “Me Voy Pa’ Porce” and “Acosadora,” and tap deep into their Afro-Colombian influences by incorporating traditional styles, such as currulao and tambora. They showcase their love for on the monster Salsa tune, “Pistola,” and their hyper-speed reimagining of the Cuban classic, “Yayabo.”

They also allude to their non-Latin influences, with instrumental tracks and samples that pay homage to Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains, and Wu-Tang Clan. Finding common ground between their heavy metal FOLLOW leanings and mambo-inspired horn lines, La Misa Negra’s serve as the perfect delivery La Misa Negra mechanism for both their humorous storytelling and exploration of heavier subject matter, like gun vio- lence, water scarcity, and gender inequality.

With their second album, the powerhouse septet unleashed 12 tracks that capture the raw energy of their live shows and solidify them as a new force in today’s Afro-Latin music scene.

WEBSITE

lamisanegra.com

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. DOWNBEAT THE RULER COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 1:30 pm

New York City, home to a sizeable population of Jamaican emigrants, maintained a relatively low profile in FOLLOW the reggae world until the 1980’s. Then, the music’s transition from roots to dancehall was accompanied Downbeat the Ruler by explosive growth in New York’s local reggae scene. In the Jamaican tradition, this scene was centered around locally-run sound systems, and of these, the sound now known as Downbeat the Ruler (original- ly called Downbeat International) has proved to be the most enduring. Tony Screw founded the sound known as Downbeat after getting permission from the legendary Sir Coxsone ‘Downbeat’ Dodd to use the name. Downbeat rapidly became not only a regional force, but one that could compete with the strongest sounds from Jamaica.

In the “rub-a-dub” era of the 1980’s, sound systems were as much a showcase for live performances as they were for records, and Downbeat ensured its success by regularly featuring the best of Jamaica’s mi- crophone talent. of Jah Love Muzik was a frequent visitor, and other top artists like , Charlie Chaplin, , , Lone Ranger, , , Jim Brown, , , , Lieutenant Stitchie, Professor Nuts, Wolfman, Peter Metro, Ricky Sterio, Colin Roach, Major Mackerel, Michigan and Smiley, and more came to New York to perform for the sound. In addition to hosting these Jamaican performers, Downbeat provided exposure for New York’s local artists, some of whom went on to achieve worldwide recognition. The core of the Downbeat crew includ- ed Shinehead, Louie Ranking, , and Santa Ranking, and other locals like Mikey Jarrett, Burru Banton, Alton Irie, Reverend Badoo, Verdi Green, Neville Valentine, and Brimstone would occasionally IRIEMAG.COM appear as well. In addition to this large and varied supply of top-ranking live performers, Downbeat was also known to possess a deep box of “dubplates,” exclusive recordings cut by artists for Downbeat alone to play. Fea- turing custom-built lyrics proclaiming Downbeat’s dominance, these dubplates served the sound well in sound clashes (face-offs in which opposing sound systems exchange exclusive tunes and improvised lyrics in attempts to win crowd support). Armed with its fearsome wax and sizeable host of artists, Downbeat successfully clashed not only American competitors like African Love and Papa Moke, but also top sound systems from Jamaica like Silverhawk, Black Scorpio, Volcano, and Stereo One, who would fly to New York FOLLOW to battle the local champion. The arrival of the 1990’s brought major change to the sound system world. Downbeat the Ruler In a development pioneered in Jamaica by the mighty Stone Love, live performances were replaced by a steady stream of dubplates introduced by the sound’s “selector,” and the deejays once so central to the sound systems became primarily recording artists. Artists would still occasionally perform on the sound, and in the mid-90’s Downbeat held a series of dances featuring the former Stur Gav crew and other foun- dation artists, including U Roy, Brigadier Jerry, Charlie Chaplin, Josey Wales, , Papa , Lone Ranger, , and Pad Anthony, proving that these veterans were still in fine performing form.

Today, after almost three decades in the business, Downbeat remains a force to be reckoned with. The sound is traditionalist in its choice of artists and songs to voice, and does not constantly chase the mosthyped “bashment” rhythm or artist-of-the-week. Instead, Downbeat maintains what is quite possibly the deep- est, heaviest collection of exclusive foundation dubplates in the world, a record box only rivaled by a small handful of other long-established sounds. Unlike so many other sounds from the past that have fallen by the wayside, Downbeat still regularly holds dances, and occasionally flexes its sizeable muscles in clashes.

The current team of Downbeat, led by Tony Screw, includes senior member Sci Gedeon, who has repre- sented Downbeat locally and internationally since the late 90’s. Gedeon also attends to various tasks behind the scene. IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. QUINTO SOL COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 7:50 pm

Having emerged from the artist/activist community of East in 1994, Quinto Sol is roots- FOLLOW reggae at its core, woven seamlessly with Latin rhythms like Cumbia, rumba, and son. Quinto Sol Quinto Sol is a collective of musicians, inspired to use music as a tool for awareness of socio-political and economic issues facing their community. They do this by translating their own urban realities in every day life and the struggles of indigenous communities in the world, through conscious lyrics and powerful live performances.

Quinto Sol takes you on a world beat tour unlike any reggae band in the music circuit. Having performed with artists, such as: The Wailers, Third World, Inner Circle, , Eek-A-Mouse, Maldita Vecindad, Jaguares, Malo, Ozomatli, Poncho Sanchez, Puya, Todos Tus Muertos and others.

Quinto Sol’s fan base is as diverse as the musical fusion they produce and the bands with whom they’ve shared the stage; from L.A. to City and even Japan.

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. LOCURA COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 9:20 pm

For the past 11 years, Oakland-based LoCura has crafted their own unique musical identity: “Califas FOLLOW Mestizo Music,” a blend of Latin American and Iberian rhythms such as rumba, cumbia, salsa and flamenco LoCura influenced by punk rock, ska, rap, dub, reggae, dancehall with local and global lyrical themes. The band’s name (“it cures it”) reflects their ethos of making music a remedy, a theme which permeates lyrics such as “la cultura cura la locura (culture cures the madness).”

With three powerhouse women at the helm, their live shows are a soul-stirring punk-edged party mixing cajon-driven rhythms with mutilingual lyrics that reflect the unique intersection of cultures in the Bay Area. Ana Tijoux meets Manu Chao with a touch of Lhasa.

Spanish-American vocalist Kata Miletich, expanding on the group’s influences, notes “one big inspiration for the ways we consciously and unconsciously connect different music is this idea that styles and rhythms travel from Africa, Europe stretching across the Americas and mixing with indigenous sounds. Culture is alive in so many different ways, and shows up in different places to tell a story.”

LoCura has toured the U.S, Canada, Nicaragua, Mexico and Spain playing music festivals and sharing the stage with artists such as Bombino, La Cuneta Son Machin, , Beats Antique, Quetzal, and WEBSITE Collective. In the California Bay Area they have opened for Sergio Mendes, La Santa Cecilia, The locuramusica.org Seshen & Bomba Estereo and have sold out The Great American Music Hall and The Independent in San Francisco. LoCura has released three full length albums and is currently writing and recording music for their fourth album. IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. SPIRITUAL COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 1:00 pm

This year SNWMF is presenting another in the recent wave of “new roots” artists out of Jamaica, the man FOLLOW called Spiritual. With his roots firmly planted in the church, where he sang in the choir as a outh,y Spiritual Spiritual brings a truly spiritual vibe, and his music is centered around this feeling.

Spiritual’s music transports us to another time, when reggae legends like Bob Marley first took the rebel sound of Jamaica to a worldwide audience.

Authenticity can be heard in every note, but then it’s coming from the same source - not only musically and culturally, but even the same ghetto communities of West Kingston.

Spiritual was raised in Allman Town, and sang in his local choir before embracing Rastafari. He was or- phaned at an early age, and could have joined the throngs of young hopefuls at any number of studios and sound systems scattered throughout the city. Instead, he shunned fame and helped to heal the broken society around him by counseling the poor and needy. Music was in his blood and he continued to write songs, but Rastafari was his true calling.

WEBSITE Awakening, released in 2017, is his debut album, and arrived just as reggae music is resurgent in its vprecords.com homeland again thanks to artists like Chronixx and . The latter shared Spiritual’s breakthrough hit “Marathon” and introduced him to Clifton “Specialist” Dillon. Under Specialist’s direction, Spiritual realized his musical vision at last, and delivered an album that can stand alongside the seventies’ classics

IRIEMAG.COM that inspired him as a youth. After “Marathon” came “My World” and “Freedom Fighters”, which was a rallying cry for the faithful. Right from the start, Spiritual’s music gave us hope and uplifted the spirits, which is how he got his name. Any doubts that he wasn’t among the most thrilling roots reggae discoveries of recent times were then swept aside by the release of “Stand Up To Rasta”. A highlight of his album, it’s a magnificent song of awakening, and sung by an artist reborn.

There are traces of and Culture in his voice, whilst the songs harken back to an era when FOLLOW artists were judged on their integrity, both musical and otherwise. Spiritual lives by the same principles, Spiritual and doesn’t imitate.

He writes original songs of meaning and depth, and then records them in a studio with “live” musicians, including horn and lead guitar players, percussionists and backing singers. Reggae music hasn’t sounded like this for a generation, and the timing of Spiritual’s emergence was flawless.

“I’m a spiritual person, and I like songs with spiritual messages in them - songs about life and our place in it, and that make you think about what you’re doing,” he explains. “I write songs that are supposed to make people feel good about one another, and that can show you something positive about life.”

“Love is the cure for everything. Love makes you healthy and I’m convinced that one day, scientists will discover that it’s the basis of living, y’know? Because we should all be loving people, and that’s the key message in my music. It’s all about love and progress.”

We can look forward to hearing and feeling the love from Spiritual when he takes the stage at this year’s WEBSITE festival. Though he is a relatively new artist on the scene, he obviously has the “old soul” so admired in the vprecords.com reggae community, and his roots and culture style are sure to win over the massive!

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. VIERNES 13 COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 6:20 pm

From Los Angeles, California comes VIERNES 13. They bring a mixture of ska, surf, and Rockabilly. Al- FOLLOW though Viernes 13 does not like to limit themselves on styles or label these are some of the styles and Viernes 13 sounds they enjoy playing. Which in fact has no definition but breaks many genre of the music world. Such a diverse style of music will appeal to everyone.

VIERNES 13 began their musical careers early when Mario Luna (Co-Founder) and his long time High School Friend Jose Solis (Co-Founder) decided that it would be fun to jam out and play Ska, although Jose is no longer in the band he will always be part of VIERNES13. The band has seen many members but the heart and soul has always remained the same.

In 1999 VIERNES 13, new to the musical scene, shared many backyards & American Legion Halls stages with bands in different genres of music from Death Metal to Emo, introducing “The Metal heads” to ska. VIERNES 13 was in such popular demand, that they decided to record their first Self-titled EP. By the end of 1999 “VIERNES 13” became a household name in the SKA scene, trading back yards and Halls for World known Venues such as The Roxy Theater & The Whiskey a go-go in Hollywood.

WEBSITE Viernes 13 has shared stages with such bands as Royal Crown Revue & The Slackers, just to name a few. viernes13.net Once Jose and Mario figured out that this could be a potential good thing, they started looking for mem- bers to complete their band. One day, while shooting pool at a local pool hall, J.P (Singer) was approached

IRIEMAG.COM by Jose and Mario. Previously Jose had met J.P at a clothing store where J.P worked. Jose and Mario mention to JP that they liked his style and were considering asking him to be the front–man to their new project. JP, a writer at the time, thought this would be a good platform for his poetry, and said yes.

With the addition of a singer to their project, the band was still not complete. They then asked Juan if he knew a drummer. Juan remembered a guy that he went to High school with. Juan was interested guy to be in it”, said Juan. And he did. Mikey was a drummer for the South Gate High School Marching Band, where he learned the basics of drumming and music in General. The band still needed their horn section to achieve their style and sound that they wanted, that’s when Juan suggested to add a and a FOLLOW player, that’s what brought Melvin Benitez in to the band, currently attending Huntington Park Viernes 13 High School and where he played in the High School Marching band, and where he learned a lot of his musical skills, Melvin has always loves the ska sound so he immediately jumped on the opportunity to play in what could be a great sounding band. Later more members where added to the band including Steve Kramer who replaced the current trumpet player. At the time Steve recently had just moved to California seeking a new life and a new career, Steve was not satisfied just being here in California; he had an urge for playing music. Because of his extensive knowledge in music attending and graduating from Michigan Tech University, where he was part of the “Pep Band”. Steve was seeking a band where he can play and show off his skills. He found Viernes 13 one day while surfing the net, Melvin saw a posting “Trumpet Player seeking band” from there Steve was part of the band, there was nothing missing from the band except maybe more winds, there was other guys that they knew would like to play with Viernes 13 that when Lil. Mike, Ruben, and Mark join the band, they gave Viernes 13 the “” sound to they always wanted.

Viernes 13 has since shared stage with many well known American bands such as The Slackers, Royal WEBSITE Crown Revue, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Manic Hispanic as well as Latin America Bands such as viernes13.net Las Victimas Del Doctor Cerebro, Inspector, and NO, to only name a few. Viernes 13 is currently working on their first full length album with will include a new Rocksteady sound as well as the classic Viernes 13 sound everyone loves. IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 12:00 pm

Wade Wayne was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1960. He began his singing career in the mid-1970s and FOLLOW was hailed as the latest prodigy produced by through the Grove Music collective. Wayne Wade His initial success came in 1976 with the single “Black Is Our Colour” which was released on the then newly formed Mango label. He followed up on the success of the single with an interpretation of ’ song “Happy Go Lucky Girl,” which demonstrates his refined vocals. The song was an instant hit and led to the release of a discomix in 1977 which featured DJ Prince Pompado on “I Kissed A Rose’ on the b-side. Wade realized the potential of covering Paragon hits and subsequently recorded “On The Beach” which was equally popular, and also surfaced in discomix style with DJ .

Wade interpreted other rocksteady hits, including “Everybody Bawling”, “I Can’t Hide” and “You Don’t Want Me”. In the early 1980s he recorded with for his Oak Sound productions. He appeared alongside Dillinger and the Tamlins, , and for the successful “Five Man Army.”

Other releases include “Kings Of Kings”, “Now I Know” and, with Tommy McCook, “Riding Forward.” In 1981 Wade enjoyed hits with the produced “Round The World”, “Tell Me What’s Going On”, “Poor And Humble” and “Down In Iran.” By 1983, Wade settled in the Netherlands where he recorded a version of Lionel Richie’s “Lady”. He signed a contract with Epic Records that resulted in a summer re-re- lease of “Lady.” Wade has continued to record and perform since that time.

IRIEMAG.COM We welcome Wade Wayne to his debut SNWMF performance. SATURDAY. LIOR BEN-HUR COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 11:00 am

With their positive message, uplifting melodies and a unique refreshing approach to Reggae, this San FOLLOW Francisco-based band represents a new generation of Reggae and World music. Born in Jerusalem, Israel Lior Ben-Hur with Greek and Iraqi roots, Lior Ben-Hur has traveled to over a dozen countries where he spent time learning, performing and sharing experiences with musicians and artists around the globe.

Since 2004, Lior has made his home in San Francisco, CA. He formed this band in 2011, which in 2012 released an eclectic World music album under the name Sol Tevél. The album sheds new light with con- temporary interpretations of old Jewish texts, ideals and mysticism.

Along with his 8-piece band, Lior Ben-Hur continues to focus on his passion for Reggae music, which has been a key inspiration on his musical creativity and spirituality. In June 2015, the band released their self-titled Reggae EP, and have since shared the stage with legendary Roots Reggae artists such as; Stephen Marley, , Tarrus Riley, Groundation, Richie Spice, and Don Carlos.

In February 2017, Lior Ben-Hur and his San Francisco-based band, Sol Tevél, released a full-length album titled, So I Wander. Following the album’s release, it debuted at #14 on Billboard charts for Top Reggae Albums. Produced by Marcus Urani (of Groundation), So I Wander features leading artists such as; Kumar WEBSITE Bent (of Raging Fyah), Jah Levi, Yossi Fine, Iraqi-Israeli world music expert Yair Dalal, and Palestinian rap- liorbenhur.com per, Saz. The album reveals Lior Ben-Hur deep passion for Reggae, and demonstrates the band’s ability to perform high-energy roots music. IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. RORYSTONELOVE COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 11:00 pm

Rorystonelove and his Blackdubmusic brings the legacy of Jamaican sound system rulers Stone Love FOLLOW Movement into the 21st century with a mix of self productions, classic and modern hiphop Rorystonelove influences, aimed straight at our late-night Dancehall this year.

A household name in Jamaica, Stone Love represents the popular street culture of dancehall in its native Kingston, performing regularly at street and lawn dances for over 40 years. Rorystonelove joined the crew soon after they formed in the 70s, joining originator Winston (Wee-Pow) Powell in the hot Kingston nights, when they would boom the open-air dances animated by popular sound systems. Stone Love soon became a must-hear drawing long lines and jamming every venue.

A few years ago, Rorystonelove struck out on his own and began concentrating on producing original music for a myriad of artists, and renamed the original Stone Love as Blackdubmusic to better describe his love for classic dub music as well as the more modern sounds of today’s Kingston scene.

Noted more and more for his own hit sound productions, Rorystonelove generally mixes it up, blending roots dub and vocals with more modern influences, making for an unusual and unique experience in the world of Jamaican sound systems.

Often showcasing live performances by his featured artists, one never knows what they will hear at a Blackdubmusic experience, but it will always stand out among the crowded sound system field. His gravel voice, intoning “...in the meantime...” while mixing tracks live on stage, is a well-respected feature of his presentation, and widely imitated (though never equaled). IRIEMAG.COM Possessing a world-class collection of original dub plates and recordings, Rorystonelove is carrying on the reputation and tradition of the original Stone Love with only the “wickedest tracks” and a turntable style all his own. These days, he is just as likely to be using modern technology in his presentation as he is to use actual turntables, but the result is always something to behold!

One is advised to come prepared to be impressed when Blackdubmusic rules our Dancehall late night till early morning. Expect last minute special guests, both announced and unannounced, and a booming heavy bass sound coming from the big building that comes alive after dark! FOLLOW Rorystonelove And while he has been frequent guest at SNWMF over the years, he never presents the same material, so even if you have experienced the thrill before, it is guaranteed you will feel the thrill anew every time he takes control of the hall!

IRIEMAG.COM SATURDAY. COMANCHE HIGH POWER COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: DANCEHALL - 8:00 pm

“The message - the real message - of reggae music has to be conveyed clearly and powerfully to the FOLLOW people”, says Comanche High Power owner/selector Daddy Stevo. Comanche High Power “This message of love and unity, of tolerance and perseverance, of good over evil must be broadcast with authority. To me, that means a quality custom sound, well-pressed vinyl and a healthy respect for tradition - the hard work of the true pioneers & originators of soundsystem...”

Armed with an ever-expanding 20+ year reggae vinyl collection, Comanche finds and brings to light the many diverse & highly underrated artists both in reggae history and modern roots and culture dancehall music, while mixing in more well-known classic ‘anthems’.

Comanche is proud to be the builder and engineer of SNWMF’s dancehall sound system for the seventh straight year ‘for your maximum musical pleasure’.

IRIEMAG.COM IRIEMAG.COM SNWMF. 25TH ANNIVERSARY Sunday Lineup

IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. STEEL PULSE COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 8:30 pm

Steel Pulse is one of Britain’s greatest reggae bands, in terms of creative and commercial success. The band FOLLOW was formed in 1975 in the inner city area of Handsworth in , England. The founding members Steel Pulse were schoolmates - David Hinds (the primary songwriter as well as the lead singer and guitarist), Basil Gabbidon (guitar), and Ronnie “Stepper” McQueen (bass). All of them came from working class West Indian immigrant families, and none had much musical experience. They took some time to improve their technical proficiency, often on roots inspired material by the Wailers, Burning Spear and several other prominent Ja- maican artists. McQueen suggested the group name, after a racehorse, and they soon fleshed out the lineup with drummer Steve “Grizzly” Nisbett, keyboardist / vocalist Selwyn “Bumbo” Brown, percussionist/vocalist Alphonso “Fonso” Martin, and vocalist Michael Riley.

Initially Steel Pulse had difficulty finding live gigs, as club owners were reluctant to give them a platform for their “subversive” Rastafarian politics. Luckily, the punk movement was opening up new avenues for music all over Britain and also finding a spiritual kinship with protest reggae. The band wound up as an opening act for punk and new wave bands like , the Stranglers, Generation X, Police, and XTC, and built a broad- based audience in the process. In keeping with the spirit of the times, Steel Pulse developed a theatrical stage show that leavened their social commentary with satirical humor; many of the members dressed in costumes WEBSITE that mocked traditional British archetypes (Riley was a vicar, McQueen a bowler-wearing aristocrat, Martin steelpulse.com a coach footman, etc.).

Steel Pulse’s debut album, was released in 1978 and was soon hailed as a classic of IRIEMAG.COM British reggae by many fans and critics, thanks to songs like the title track, “Macka Splaff,” “Prodigal Son,” and “Soldiers.” Steel Pulse’s sophomore album, 1979’s Tribute to the Martyrs, featured other key early singles with “Sound System” and “Babylon Makes the Rules,” and solidified the band’s reputation for uncompromis- ing political ferocity. 1980’s Caught You showcased a more pop-oriented set devoted to dance tracks and .

In 1982, True Democracy, became their first charting LP in America, making both the pop and R&B listings. FOLLOW The follow-up, Earth Crisis, was released in 1984 and won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album. Steel Pulse In 1988, Steel Pulse released State of Emergency, their most explicitly crossover-oriented album yet. They also contributed the track “Can’t Stand It” to the soundtrack of Spike Lee’s classic Do the Right Thing. In 1991, they released another heavily commercial album, the Grammy-nominated Victims, which featured the single “Taxi Driver.” Backing up the song’s views, Steel Pulse filed a class-action lawsuit against the Taxi and Limousine Commission, charging that drivers discriminated against blacks and particularly Rastafarians.

The 1992 live album Rastafari Centennial earned another Grammy nomination. The following year, Steel Pulse performed at Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration, the first reggae band to appear at such an event. In 1994, the band released the studio album Vex. 1997’s Rage and Fury was nominated for a Grammy. In 1999, the group released another collection of live performances, Living Legacy.

Fast forward a long seven years and Steel Pulse would return yet again, this time with African Holocaust, which earned them another Grammy Award Nomination for Best Reggae Album of the year. To this day, Steel WEBSITE Pulse remains as one of Britain’s greatest reggae bands having remained true to its roots for 45 years. The steelpulse.com band maintains a sense of fierce integrity as it continues to share the message of love and justice. The band is renowned for its commitment to fighting injustice, educating the masses and promoting positive messages through spiritually uplifting music and we are happy to have them returning to Boonville this June. IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. DREAD MAR I COUNTRY: STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 6:40 pm

Dread Mar-I is a charting, best-selling Argentine reggae singer, songwriter, and bandleader. His sensual, FOLLOW passionate vocal delivery ranges over a style that combines deep roots reggae with the sweetness of lov- Dread Mar I ers’ rock. His hit single “Tu Sin Mi” has over 300 million listens on YouTube.

Dread was born Mariano Javier Castro in Quequén, Argentina in January of 1978. When he was seven years old, his family moved to Maipú, a suburb of . Besides going to school, he worked in his father’s bakery. His interest in music, reggae, and Rastafarianism in particular came about during these tender years, as he heard Bob Marley’s music in the neighborhood. He graduated high school and worked, honing his musical chops at night.

Dread’s first professional gig was as lead singer of the Reggae Messengers. After three ears,y Dread put together his own band and went solo. His debut album, Jah Guia, was initially issued independently, but garnered wide attention when a couple of enterprising DJs decided to play it. His gigs got larger and soon the major labels came calling. Sony/BMG signed him and reissued Jah Guia across Latin America in 2006. Sales were better than anyone expected. He was asked by renowned reggae big band Los Cafres to be a stable opener for them (and sing in their backing chorus), including a massive show at Luna Park, which greatly expanded the singer’s profile. Later that year, he and his band performed at the first annual Bob Marley Day festival at Luna Park with the Wailers and Peter Tosh Band. Working with Los Cafres and headlining his own gigs had their advantages; because of the attention -- and the money -- he was able to

IRIEMAG.COM record a second album with his own band, Los Guerreros del Rey. It was released in 2007. The following year, with the release of the album Amor-es, Dread became an in-demand attraction. He played 70-plus shows nationally and toured abroad as well. By the time he released Viví en Do in 2010, he was the most popular reggae singer in Argentina, and had established an international following that reached across most of Latin America.

His reputation also extended into the Caribbean: 2011’s Tranquilo was a collaborative album with no less FOLLOW a talent than Jamaica’s Luciano. With his new backing band, Warriors of the King, Dread took his show to Dread Mar I Mexico and the United States. In late 2011 and early 2012, Dread worked at Panda and TAMS studios and delivered Transparente, a record that took him onto the streaming charts in the reggae, tropical, and Latin categories. It also revealed his increasing studio savvy -- he mixed it himself. Its success made his Luna Park shows all but impossible to get into: tickets sold out months in advance. He went back to the studio and issued the hit single “Nada” (backed by a Jamaican chorus) in early 2014. He followed it with the video single “No Te Asustes Ahora,” which netted millions of views in its first weeks on YouTube. As a result, the 17-song full-length En el Sendero went gold.

In 2016, Dread celebrated his tenth anniversary as a recording artist with a show at the massive El Plan- etario in Palermo, Buenos Aires. The price of admission was donations of food, clothing, or cash for the homeless. An expansive audio-video package entitled 10 Anos -- featuring both new and catalog songs as well as a documentary -- was released and climbed the streaming and download charts. The recording also featured the studio track “Hoja en Blanco,” a revisioned vallenato standard. A demo version of it appeared on the artist’s Facebook page and garnered over five million views.

We are so excited to present this Argentinian reggae musician to the SNWMF massive.

IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. TEDDY AFRO COUNTRY: ETHIOPIA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 5:00 pm

Tewodros Kassahun, better known by his stage name Teddy Afro, is an iconic Ethiopian pop star who has FOLLOW dominated the Ethiopian music scene for more than a decade. Teddy sings about topics of reconciliation, Teddy Afro unity, history, justice and equality, and for political change. These subjects have gained him the hearts and ears of millions of adoring fans.

Teddy is the number one voice in Ethiopia, breaking records for album sales and show attendance. He is known far and wide, inside and out of Ethiopia, as the rising star of East Africa.

Teddy was born in the Kuas Meda area of Addis Ababa, on July 14, 1976. His late father, Kassahun Germamo, was a renowned Ethiopian songwriter and his mother, Tilaye Arage, was a professional dancer.

Although Teddy’s father had great concerns about his son entering the music world, Teddy trusted his own instincts. He saw himself doing nothing but singing as a career. He is arguably the single most popular pop-star Ethiopia has produced in many years. Teddy’s tribute song to his late father is aptly titled ‘Music - My Life’.

Using reggae rhythms combined with the traditional sounds of Ethiopian music, he sings primarily in Am- WEBSITE haric, which is one of Ethiopia’s many languages - Influenced by Ethiopian Maestro Tilahun Gessesse and teddyafro.info international reggae artist Bob Marley, Teddy combines the musicianship and message of his mentors.

Teddy’s 2001 debut release of Abugida was a landmark recording that established him as a musical power IRIEMAG.COM to be reckoned with. ‘Abugida’ means ‘beginning’, in the language of Ge’ez (the predecessor to the modern spoken language of Amharic). It marked his entrance onto the national stage.

In May 2017, Teddy Afro released his latest studio album entitled Ethiopia which broke sales records. On the date of its release. 600,000 CDs were sold, making it the highest selling album of all times in Ethiopia. The online sale of the album was also something that has never been seen in the Ethiopian music industry. In the first week of its release, the album was on top of Billboard’s orldW Music Chart. On Ethiopia, Teddy FOLLOW sings not only in his native Amharic language, he also incorporates other languages of Ethiopia, such as Teddy Afro Afan Oromo, Tigrigna, Kunama and Sidamigna, as an affirmation of his commitment to a united ety diverse Ethiopia.

Teddy is married to Amleset Muchi, a model, film writer and actress. Amleset Muchie is the former Miss Ethiopia, who was born in Gonder and raised in Asemera and Addis Ababa. She stars in a number of Ethio- pian films. The pair has two children.

SNWMF 25 is honored to present Teddy Afro to you.

WEBSITE teddyafro.info

IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. MAX ROMEO COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 3:30 pm

Max Romeo is a performer who managed to rise above the rudest of beginnings (recording-wise) to become FOLLOW one of the first Rastaman singers to record a series of deeply spiritual and socially conscious roots songs. Max Romeo He was born Maxie Smith in St. Anns and first became famous for his raunchy early 1960s hit “Wet Dream.” The song was a runaway hit in Great Britain until older people began listening to it closely and banned it.

Though Romeo publicly claimed the song was about a leaky roof, the ban remained. This did not stop the song from making it to the British Top Ten thanks to its popularity amongst London’s rebellious youth.

With that success under his belt, Romeo released a few more similarly themed “novelty” tunes such as “Wine Her Goosie” and “Pussy Watch Man” with only modest success. As the 1970s progressed, Romeo underwent a few profound spiritual changes.

By the time he teamed up with production wizard Lee Perry in the mid-1970s, he had become a committed Rastaman and was singing visionary songs praising Jah and calling the sufferahs to social consciousness and culture. Songs from this period include “Let the Power Fall,” “Pray for Me,” “Every Man Ought to Know” and “Black Equality.”

In 1972 Romeo began a liaison with producers Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Winston ‘Niney’ Holness, and from this point onwards, his records had a musical fire to match his apocalyptical vision and contrasting humour. Babylose Burning, Three Blind Mice and The Coming Of Jah all maintained his star status in Jamaica be- IRIEMAG.COM tween 1972 and 1975. Revelation Time was one of the best albums of 1975, and 1976’s was hailed by the rock press as an all-time classic reggae album.

Romeo returned to Jamaica in 1990, and in the spring of 1992, London producer Jah Shaka recorded Far I Captain Of My Ship on Jah Shaka Records, an unabashed, Jamaican recorded roots album, generally reck- oned to be Romeo’s best work for over 15 years.

FOLLOW Despite his huge following in Europe, Max Romeo has rarely performed in the United States. SNWMF25 is Max Romeo pleased to welcome Max Romeo back to our stage. He last appeared at SNWMF in 2015.

IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. CULTURE FEAT. KENYATTA HILL COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 7:15 pm

Long acclaimed as one of reggae’s preeminent vocal ensembles, Culture was formed in the 1970’s and FOLLOW garnered continual US and international notice for its long string of classic “roots” albums. Culture Originally showcasing the shining lead vocals of Joseph Hill, Culture’s music is solid roots, perfectly exe- cuted and delivered with genuine emotional fervor. Joseph Hill’s devotion to the traditional Rastafarian values of purity, simplicity and justice is exemplified by Culture’s lyrical themes. Hill’s message is clear and uplifting.

Culture’s legendary Two Sevens Clash LP (Shanachie) was Reggae Album of the Year in 1977, but perhaps more importantly, the title track from the LP commented on the volatile political situation in the Kingston ghettos in 1977 (the year the “two sevens clashed”), and the country of Jamaica at large, and was received as a prediction of dire times to come for the island nation. As such, it was widely heralded as one of the most important reggae songs of the decade, if not of all time.

Culture’s level of energy and creativity are consistently superlative. They have performed brilliantly to spellbound audiences at countless festivals, concerts and clubs around the US and throughout the world. Their long-time backing band provided cohesion and energy behind the sweet harmonies of Albert and WEBSITE Telford Nelson and Joseph’s dynamic lead vocals. culturereggaeband.com

Kenyatta Hill, Joseph’s son, took over for his father when his father passed in 2006, in the midst of a Euro-

IRIEMAG.COM pean tour. To the amazement of promoters, fans and critics alike, Kenyatta stepped onstage and delivered electrifying performances time and again - nineteen shows in all - until the tour was complete. This was unheard of in any genre of music at any time.

Kenyatta gave of himself so totally - as his father had for so many years - that the two seemed to become one. Possessing an eerily similar voice and onstage presence, Kenyatta has carried forth the banner estab- lished by his elder from the early days onto the present day. FOLLOW Culture Appearing at the Ranny Williams Center in Kingston Jamaica for the memorial concert for his father, Kenyatta’s performance with Culture was the highlight in a star studded night and garnered him the rousing support of the hard-to-please Kingston reggae audience. Kenyatta went on to front Culture in a series of performances in the US, Caribbean, Brazil, Argentina and Peru, again leaving audiences amazed and delighted.

Influenced by elements of dancehall, grounded in the roots tradition and motivated to carry on his father’s work, Kenyatta set to writing - to finish songs that Joseph had started and create new music of his own. On his poignant debut single, “Daddy,” (Tafari Records), backed by a masterful roster of musicians including Sly Dunbar and Dean Fraser, and produced by Lynford “Fatta” Marshall, he confronted the emotional pain and uncertainty he felt after the loss of his father.

Pass the Torch, the first full length to feature Kenyatta, was released in 2007 to longtime Culture fans and critics who have embraced the son, named for Jomo Kenyatta, the first Prime minister of Kenya. Indeed, WEBSITE Culture featuring Kenyatta Hill continues to share the wisdom of Joseph’s conscious reggae overlaid with culturereggaeband.com Kenyatta’s own lively and youthful musical vision.

2011 saw the release of Live On a highly acclaimed tribute to the music of Joseph Hill and Culture with Kenyatta performing fresh renditions of some of Culture’s classic compositions.. IRIEMAG.COM Since 2012 Kenyatta has released solo projects and collaborations on the Honest Music Label. He has toured both with Culture and on his own to promote these releases including the 10 track Riddim of Life released in 2014. Singles and accompanying videos from that release, “Afrikan” and “Jah Is My Friend”, received worldwide critical acclaim. Kenyatta’s most recent release, Policeman, also on Honest Music label, features Akae Beka & Puma Ptah of Thievery Corporation.

Kenyatta Hill keeps the Culture legacy alive by thrilling old and new Culture fans with the classic sounds FOLLOW of this legendary harmony group. On this 12th anniversary year of the passing of the torch from father to Culture son, Kenyatta continues as lead vocalist of Culture along with original founding member Albert Walker and long time harmony singer Telford Nelson.

SNWMF is proud to present the original Culture featuring Kenyatta Hill to our stage for our 25th anniversary festival.

WEBSITE

culturereggaeband.com

IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. NATTALI RIZE COUNTRY: AUSTRALIA STAGE: VALLEY STAGE - 2:10 pm

We are proud to present Australia’s Nattali Rize, in an encore performance as a solo performer at SNWMF FOLLOW 2018. She last graced our stage in 2015, when she appeared on both the Valley Stage and in an impromptu Nattali Rize performance in the late night Dancehall that brought down the house!

Nattali Rize is a vocalist/guitarist/songwriter known for her politically minded, reggae-influenced music. An indigenous woman from Byron Bay, Rize (once referred to as Natalie Pa’apa’a) initially began producing music as a member of the group Pores and , alongside partner Carlo Santone.

In 2004, the two relocated to Melbourne and created the eight-member roots-and-reggae music group Blue King Brown, with whom they performed for over ten years. During that time, Blue King Brown ap- peared at our festival and was widely acclaimed for their energetic performance on the Valley Stage in 2009.

After relocating to Jamaica in 2014, Pa’apa’a started working on solo material and used the stage name Nattali Rize, purportedly influenced by both the Native American term “natt” indicating “loudspeaker” as well as the Bob Marley musical message calling on people to “Rise” up against oppression. WEBSITE nattalirize.com In 2015, she collaborated with the reggae ensemble Notis on her debut solo EP, New Era Frequency. Included on that recording was the well-received track, Rebel Love, featuring Zuggu Dan, along with five other vocal tracks and dub versions of three of the tracks including Rebel Love. One of these songs,

IRIEMAG.COM Generations Will Rize, featured upcoming reggae giant, Kabaka Pyramid. Her EP garnered critical acclaim and led to a full-length record, entitled Rebel Frequency, released in 2017. That release featured guest performances from , Raging Fyah, and Jah9, as well as featuring the collaboration with Kabaka Pyramid and one other track from the EP.

During her 2015 visit to the festival, after her Valley Stage appearance, Nattali appeared for a perfor- mance with ranking NorCal dancehall kings, Jah Warrior Shelter, in our late-night dancehall, and by all ac- counts she mesmerized the crowd assembled there while singing over specially mixed tracks she supplied. FOLLOW Truly a highlight for that year’s festival, she obviously was enjoying the freedom of being able to perform Nattali Rize in such an atmosphere. Though she confessed to a bit of nervousness, it was not apparent to the audience at the time!

SNWMF 2018 is pleased to again present Ms Rize to the SNWMF massive and look forward to hearing tracks from her LP as well as new material she may bring to the stage...and who knows, perhaps another surprise is in store for us this year as well!

WEBSITE

nattalirize.com

IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. NO MADDZ COUNTRY: JAMAICA STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 5:30 pm

SNWMF is very excited to welcome back our friends, NoMaddz! The NoMaddz is an eclectic musical FOLLOW group from Kingston, Jamaica heavily influenced by their dub poetry and theatrical background. Their The NoMaddz unique music is spiced with a variety of genres while maintaining the spirit of Jamaican roots reggae. , the founder of , widely credited for discovering Bob Marley, told Magazine that “there’s a band called NoMaddz who are more like theatre than a group. They’re actors. It’s this whole audio-visual kind of thing. It’s different. But they’re really good, really talented and really smart.”

The members are alumni of Kingston College and recipients of the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for excellence, the highest state award for youths in the country. Their 2010 concert series ‘The Trod Live’ and the resulting album recorded around Kingston put the group on the map.

An endorsement deal with Puma in 2011 led to a series of TV commercials featuring the NoMaddz and Usain Bolt (the fastest man on earth!). The ads aired on MTV, VH1, TBS and many other channels interna- tionally, in addition to being played in every Footlocker and Puma store worldwide.

Sheldon Sherperd and Everaldo “Evie” Creary, the NoMaddz co-leaders are both successful actors. Both were featured in “Better Mus’ Come” a film for which Sheperd won the Best Actor award at the American Black Film Festival. Creary’s other appearances include a 2010 recurring role on ‘Elwood” in the British TV drama, Small Island (BBC). IRIEMAG.COM Their debut studio album, Sly and Robbie presents No-Maddz, released in 2015 was well received by fans and critics alike. Saxon Baird of MTV Iggy described the album as “a first rate debut from a band that seems poised to offer great things to come.”

NoMaddz live performance is an experience beyond explanation. Their exceptionally unique mix of music, theatre and fashion captivates audiences worldwide. They received a perfect score in the annual Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s performance arts festival. FOLLOW The NoMaddz The NoMaddz has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, including appearances on major festivals such as Rhur and Reggae Jam Festival (Germany), (Belguim), Daegu Festival (Korea) and Irie Jamboree (New York) to name a few.

The NoMaddz made their California debut at SNWMF 2015, and due to popular demand returned for an encore at SNWMF 2016. Look forward to a truly unique and uplifting performance at SNWMF25!

IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. ALANA DAVIS COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 2:20 pm

When Alana Davis was a little girl, she found her key to happiness in a roundabout way. She’d go to the FOLLOW principal’s office in school to call her mom and tell her she was having a bad day. Upon returning home, her Alana Davis mother - a former jazz singer and single mom - would have her favorite song, Stevie Wonder’s “As” from “Songs in the Key of Life” playing and it would instantly transform Alana’s sadness to happiness. She soon learned to fake her bad school days in order to have that magical musical moment of bliss greet her upon Featured Album coming home from school.

“That song was a healer for me and a game changer. I learned really young how profoundly I connected to music and how music can really, on a deep level, transform your emotions and feelings,” explains the sing- er/songwriter. “In the past few years, I lost sight of that for a bit. I became a mom and my focus was there. But now with my child, who is five, I’m seeing myself in her and I’m being reminded of who I am as an artist, and how I want my music to touch people the way that Stevie Wonder touched me as a little girl.”

Love Again Alana’s new found motherhood might have initially put the Grammy Award-nominated artist on the May 04, 2018 sidelines for a bit, but it’s also what has given her the fuel and inspiration to move forward. “Honestly, after experiencing natural childbirth, I feel like I can do anything! It gave me a new found sense of strength and WEBSITE power and an internal toughness I think I needed. That really translates into who I am and what my music alanadavis.com is about. More than my need to express myself through music, there is a need to be a good example for my daughter to not give up and follow your heart and what is truly in your soul. Music is truly in my heart and soul,” says the New York-born artist. IRIEMAG.COM Music isn’t just in her heart and soul it’s in her DNA as well. Alana’s mother is Anna Schofield, a noted jazz vocalist whose 1963 Atlantic Records release, “Anamari,” was produced by the legendary Nesuhi Ertegun and featured jazz greats Art farmer, Grady Tate, Jim Hall and Clark Terry. And, her father is acclaimed jazz pianist Walter Davis Jr., who played with Charlie Parker, Art Blakey and Dizzy Gillespie and whose albums “Davis Cup” and “In Walked Thelonius” are considered jazz classics.

Raised by her mother in a humble West Village apartment amidst a backdrop of , Stevie Wonder, FOLLOW Harry Belafonte and Nat King Cole, Alana would learn to harmonize at a young age as her musical mom Alana Davis would sing songs like, “You Are My Sunshine,” with her on the way to the school bus. Alana would soon gravitate to the burgeoning underground punk and reggae scene at the time, and cite bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and Bad Brains amongst her favorites. She’d later dabble in the likes of Joni Mitchell and Billie Holiday and discover her instrument of choice, the guitar, at age 16.

That “happy accident” turned into her Elektra Records debut CD, “Blame It on Me,” which contained the hits “32 Flavors”, which peaked at No. 37 Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, “Crazy”, a No. 17 hit on Adult Top 40, and “Murder”, which was sampled on Jay-Z’s own “Murder” on his CD, “Vol. 3...Life and Times of S. Carter.” “Blame It on Me”, which peaked at No. 7 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart, was also nominated for a Gram- my award and cited by Time magazine as one of the Top 5 albums of 1997.

What followed were two more critically acclaimed albums that had everyone calling Alana a true “singer’s singer” - 2001’s “Fortune Cookies” on Elektra, which peaked at No. 34 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart and featured production by Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, and 2005’s “Surrender Dorothy” on her WEBSITE own independent label, Tigress Records. The critical success of these albums landed her on every major alanadavis.com TV outlet (“Good Morning America”, “Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” to name a few).

IRIEMAG.COM Alana also made a name for herself on the touring front, making history as being the only female artist on the H.O.R.D.E tour in 1998, alongside Traveler, Barenaked Ladies, and others. She was also part of the iconic tour in 1997 with Sarah McLachlan, Emmylou Harris, Fiona Apple and other great female artists of the time. Over the years, the singer-songwriter has toured with or opened for , Emmylou Harris, Ziggy Marley, Indigo Girls, John Mayer, , Steel Pulse, Jethro Tull, Steve Winwood and many more. FOLLOW Also of note, her 2003 single, a cover of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Carry On”, was featured in a Sony Alana Davis Electronics Super Bowl commercial and had Billboard raving that the “wildly spirited and emotionally charged” track made Alana “poised to have the biggest hit of her career”.

Featured Album “It’s been such a journey. I paid some dues along the way. I’ve gone through some stuff. I now have more to write about because I’ve been rejected. I’ve had the Grammy nomination and the accolades and then I’ve had the record deal and then didn’t. I kind of did it backwards. I got my first deal in an accidental way and then I paid my dues. Today, I’m coming at it from a different place. At one point I wondered if it’s worth it because it’s so damn hard but somewhere along the way I decided I would do music because I love it. It’s as simple as that”, she says. Alana is currently writing new songs for what will be her fourth album. “The new material that I’m working on is simpler, really stripped down. I think I used to cerebrallize a lot of things and play the hardest chords I could just because they turned me on. But now, it’s more about how Love Again the song feels to me. Even though I haven’t toured in a while, music was always there for me. It’s the May 04, 2018 closest thing I have to a guru and I feel blessed to be able to communicate in this language”, she adds. WEBSITE alanadavis.com

IRIEMAG.COM SUNDAY. THE SOULFIRE PROJECT COUNTRY: UNITED STATES STAGE: VILLAGE STAGE - 11:00 am

The SoulFire Project is one of the most diverse and eclectic musical experiences in the Latin American FOLLOW circuit. Fusing classic styles like Reggae, Ska and Cumbia with Afro-Latin, Gypsy-Punk and Hip-Hop, The The Soulfire Project SoulFire Project sings songs of consciousness and liberation in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

Since its inception in 2008 in Hillsboro, Oregon, the group has performed at festivals, forums and fund- raisers in schools, cultural centers, plazas, bars and restaurants.

From the street to the stage, from the west coast of the USA through the greater part of Mexico, Guate- mala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and now Colombia, The SoulFire Project plays, with no limits, to the inspired and liberated souls inside each and every one of us.

WEBSITE

soulfireproject.wixsite.com

IRIEMAG.COM MERCH. Dread & Alive Official Logo T-Shirt

Available at https://www.dreadandalive.com/shop/ IRIE would like to thank the following people who helped make this issue a successful one. Without their efforts, this magazine would not be possible. Michelle Monreal, Giovanna Guimarães, Ashley Hyde, Touch the Road, Warren Smith, Gretchen Franz, Daniel Frankston and the whole crew at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF). Nuff Respect!

IRIEMAG.COM