Reggae & Dancehall #34: Spice, Alborosie, Marcia Griffiths

The latest from the scene with Reshma B…

Your monthly fix…

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SHAGGY

NEWS

At last July’s Reggae Sumfest, I-Octane marked a career milestone when he closed Dancehall Night for the first time.  After the show dancehall veteran Mr. Vegas questioned whether Octane was the right choice for this honour.

This year, Octane refused the promoters’ offer to close the show again, suggesting that Vegas should do it. Over the last month, Vegas has replied with a video statement and song called ‘Ready Long Time’, which seems to take shots at Octane – who has since accepted the offer to close Dancehall Night. After all the back and forth, fans are waiting to see which artist brings their A game to the stage this time.

It appears that Mr Lover Lover has officially put a ring on it. The biggest-selling dancehall star of all time, whose ‘Hot Shot’ album was certified diamond in 2001, was spotted shopping for rings with his long-time girlfriend in June. Although the artist’s rep replied “no comment” to the marriage rumours, Shaggy has never actually said, “It wasn’t me.” Now, inside sources report that the pair wed in a private ceremony at Chris Blackwell’s exclusive Golden Eye resort. #Congrats

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JAH CURE

TRACKS

On his brilliant new release ‘Life We Live’, Jah Cure sings, “Bob Marley said have no fear / Everything is gonna be alright.” Its echoing of the chorus to ‘No Woman No Cry’ is no accident – Cure has often stated his desire to follow in the footsteps of the greatest reggae artists who ever lived. This song, produced by Sketch Carey, is one of his finest.

It’s been a big year for Spice (pictured main), whose video for ‘So Mi Like It (Raw)’ has racked up almost four million YouTube views and inspired Busta Rhymes to jump on a remix. What could she do to top herself? How about changing her gender?

In Spice’s latest video, ‘Like A Man’, she appears wearing a men’s suit and sporting a moustache. The song, produced by DreDay, offers a fresh spin on the plight of female reggae and dancehall artists in a male-dominated industry. “Females are doing their thing and we are not getting the respect we deserve,” Spice commented when the video dropped. Check out Spice talking about her latest accomplishments…

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ALBOROSIE

ALBUMS

When the Italian-born reggae singer Alborosie isn’t touring the world, he spends most of his time in his studio at home in Jamaica. The latest product of his efforts is the album ‘Specialist Presents: Alborosie & Friends’, a collection of duets with a wide range of reggae talent – Michael Rose, Horace Andy, Etana, Busy Signal, Sizzla, and fellow European reggae star Gentleman. The album dropped via V.P. Records on June 17th. More information on Facebook.

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ELEPHANT MAN

RIDDIMS

There’s no doubt the hottest riddim in rotation this month is DJ Frass’s ‘Gwaan Bad’, a pulse-pounding digital track reminiscent of Dave Kelly’s classic 1990s beats for Madhouse. ‘Gwaan Bad’ boasts a crazy line-up of artists including Mavado, Elephant Man (pictured), Mr. Easy and Lady Saw – not to mention two tracks by incarcerated superstars, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton – all deejaying some of their baddest lyrics in years.

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DENNIS BOVELL

GIGS

Dennis ‘Blackbeard’ Bovell may be clean-shaven these days, but he’s still a cornerstone in the UK reggae scene. From his Jah Sufferer sound system to his work with Matumbi, LKJ, and lovers rock pioneer Louisa Mark, Bovell has had a profound influence on British reggae. So when he turns up with some tunes to spin, you know it's going to be special. On July 9th he will be dropping some rare selections at the Dub Me Always night at Upstairs at the Ritzy, in Brixton. Details

Reggae Sumfest always stands apart from other festivals. For more than 20 years, the three-night showcase of the best Jamaican talent alongside a handful of rap and RnB stars has proven a winning formula and 2014 appears to be no exception. This year’s headliners include dancehall superstar Sean Paul – who has not graced the MoBay stage for 10 years – along with FutureJason DeRulo and Wiz Khalifa. Beenie Man, Chronixx, and Jah Cure will also appear on International Nights. Thursday’s Dancehall Night line-up includes Bounty Killer, Busy Signal, Alkaline, Spice and QQ – and the aforementioned Mr. Vegas and I-Octane. For more info and tickets, check here.

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MARCIA GRIFFITHS

AND TO WRAP UP

Marcia Griffiths, the undisputed queen of reggae, hit Jamaica, Queens to celebrate 50 years in the music biz at Groovin’ In The Park this June 29th. The upscale affair attracted 25,000 punters with a line-up that boasted some of the greatest names in reggae history – many of whom have worked with Marcia at one time or another. With at least half a dozen outfit changes, Griffiths was prepared for anything. She first hit the stage around 3pm – warming things up with her international pop hit ‘Electric Boogie’ – and kept going strong with intermittent breaks until 9pm.

Highlight guest spots included Lady G, Ken Boothe and Bob Andy – one of Jamaica’s greatest songwriters, who sang ‘To Be Young Gifted And Black’ with Marcia, the 1970 Nina Simone cover which ended up at five on the UK singles chart. Judy Mowatt also joined Marcia for a Bob Marley medley, reprising their roles as Marley’s backup singers.

The climax came when Beres Hammond hit the stage. As he ran through his usual set – ‘What One Dance Can Do’, ‘Full Attention’ and ‘I Feel Good’ – Beres had the girls screaming his name and singing along.

“I sing for the ladies, but it’s the guys who reap the benefit,” he joked. Then came Marcia sporting yet another fresh outfit. Watching them perform their timeless duet ‘Live On’, it was obvious how much respect and love they have for each other. Holding hands and singing in the sunset seemed to be just as much of a treat for them as it was for the audience. “And when we’re old and grey,” they sang to each other, “we’ll still be this way.”

Not even a highly anticipated set by Australian pop band Air Supply could match the Marcia magic. Before they started getting booked on reggae festivals, the duo hadn’t realised how big their songs were in JA, nor how many reggae versions are out there. And it wasn’t just the crowd that was looking forward to their set. She may have reigned all night, but even Marcia knows when it’s time, it’s really time: “I want to watch Air Supply!”

Watch Marcia talk about working with Bob Marley and how she made it through the last 50 years:

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See ya next month!

Words: Reshma B
Online / Twitter

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