Page 61 - Reggae Festival Guide Magazine 2017

year span, Midnite has opened countless minds I Grade Records. These showcases feature the
and hearts with their timeless messages of love multitude of local talent chanting over live

and wisdom, set to irresistible roots riddims. dubbing, including performances by the powerful

Midnite released over 50 albums during their artists listed below, each alongside a title of one of

blessed tenure, which are all as relevant today their hit tracks:
as ever. 2017 finds the highly-spirited Benjamin

brothers each working on their own projects: ¢ Niyorah, “Positive Herb”

master musician Ron is the musical director for ¢ Ras Attitude, “Don’t Be Afraid to Pray”

acclaimed V.I. artist Dezarie, while prophetic ¢ Army, “Rasta Awake”
teacher Vaughn keeps chanting as the voice ¢ Danny I, “Seek Zion”

of the band Akae Beka, having released four ¢ Mada Nile, “Send I de Love”

albums since 2015. ¢ Ancient King, “Rightly the Trumpet Must Blow”
¢ Reemah, “Crowns Up on Your Head”
The V.I. reggae scene today is bubbling like a ¢ Ras Batch, “Give Jah Thanks for Life”

hearty pot of ital stew. The music emerging ¢ Xkaliba, “United States of Ethiopia”

from the gifted collection of artists based in ¢ Lava, “Pushing Jah Love”
the V.I. is good soul food, livicated to upfullness ¢ Junyah P, “Mind on Fyah”

and prayer. St. Thomas-born Pressure Busspipe ¢ Sabbatical Ahdah, “Iya Ites”

strives to serve as an example to the youth ¢ Bobo Ites, “Keep It Real”

through positivity in his actions and music. ¢ Jah Rubal, “Gee Mee Mi Ganja”

With his riddim-driven music, Pressure proves ¢ Dushane, "Get Across"
that up-tempo dancehall doesn’t have to be ¢ Melame Gange, "Suns of Afrika"

slack to be the slam. Pressure’s I Grade Records- ¢ Harry Mo, "Rebel With A Cause"

produced song, “Virgin Islands Nice,” is now the

official theme song for the U.S. Virgin Islands Furthering the livity in the islands and abroad

Tourism Board, broadcasting on commercials are St. Croix’s Abja (Lionz of Kush), the band
abroad. Additionally, Pressure serves as an Reggae Bubblers, and Bambu Station hailing

ambassador of the U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism from St. Thomas.

Board, lending his sound and image to their The reggae music emerging from the V.I. is

promotional ad campaigns. It’s noteworthy that widening the scope of what modern reggae
reggae began as, and still is, rebel music, yet sounds like. Based in firm discipleship to His

governmental organizations are capitalizing Majesty, yet with strong jazz and hip-hop

on the fact that V.I. reggae is the U.S. Virgin influences, record labels like Ras Elyment

Islands’ biggest cultural export. Records of St. Croix consistently release

The spirit of inity is evident within the Rastafari projects with both well-known and up-and-
culture in the V.I. when talented producers come coming V.I. artists. While the sound of roots

together with gifted artists to perform and film reggae music coming from the V.I. is in itinual

live heights sessions. The popular “Dub in the Ivolution, the spiritual lyrics are the defining

Rainforest” events, which boast tens of thousands characteristic. Laurent “Tippy” Alfred shared

of views on YouTube, were pioneered by Laurent his thoughts on V.I. contributions to the
“Tippy” Alfred, prolific producer and owner of reggae world in an interview with LargeUp.Com

REGGAE FESTIVAL GUIDE 2017 61