All articles tagged with #reggae
Rolling Stone highlights reggae legends Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, detailing 11 high-profile pop collaborations they anchored—from Grace Jones and Madonna to Bob Dylan and No Doubt—showing how their grooves helped shape decades of popular music.
Renowned reggae drummer Sly Dunbar, half of the influential Sly & Robbie duo, has died at 73 in Jamaica. A prolific session musician and producer, he played on Marley tracks and helped shape reggae's sound, later producing for Grace Jones, Bob Dylan and many others, with some estimates placing his involvement in over 200,000 recordings.
Sly Dunbar, the legendary Jamaican drummer who helped redefine reggae’s modern sound alongside Robbie Shakespeare as Sly and Robbie, has died at 73, confirmed by his wife Thelma. A prodigy who left school at 13 to pursue music, Dunbar played on more than 200,000 recordings, pioneered the rockers rhythm and the Bam Bam riddim that propelled early dancehall, and worked with Black Uhuru, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Mick Jagger, and others. He and Shakespeare earned Grammys in 1985 and 1999, and their production and session work left an enduring mark on reggae and its evolution.
Legendary Jamaican drummer Sly Dunbar, the other half of Sly & Robbie, has died aged 73 after years of illness. A defining force in reggae, dub, and dancehall, he helped shape Jamaican music through Taxi Records and collaborations with artists from Bob Marley to Grace Jones. Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare won a Grammy for Black Uhuru’s Anthem in 1985 and earned another Grammy in 1999 for Friends, leaving a five-decade legacy that influenced countless generations.
The biopic "One Love" about Bob Marley aims to humanize the reggae legend and emphasize the universal message of unity found in his music. The film, produced by Marley's family, focuses on Marley's journey to spread peace and connect with others, set against the backdrop of political unrest in Jamaica in 1976. Director Reinaldo Marcus Green and Marley's son Ziggy Marley highlight the film's emphasis on unity, reflecting the late musician's desire for a more unified and less divisive world.
Critics have seen the upcoming biopic "Bob Marley: One Love" and while they praise the lead actors, they feel the film fails to capture the essence of the iconic musician's life, with some criticizing its focus and lack of depth. Despite the disappointment, Kingsley Ben-Adir's portrayal of Bob Marley receives acclaim. The film is set to be released on February 14th.
Reinaldo Marcus Green's "Bob Marley: One Love" attempts to capture the essence of Bob Marley's music and his role as a peace broker in post-colonial Jamaica, focusing on the creation of his ninth studio album, Exodus. The film delves into Marley's commitment to Rastafarianism and his efforts to use music to confront personal traumas and unite his people, but falls short in fully exploring the political and cultural context of his messages. Kingsley Ben-Adir's portrayal of Marley and Lashana Lynch's depiction of Rita enliven the stunted biopic, which struggles to fully engage with the complexities of Marley's life and music.
"Bob Marley: One Love" follows the new biopic trend by focusing on a crucial time period in the reggae superstar's life, but the film's haphazard approach fails to fully capture Marley's rise and the power of reggae as an art form. While Kingsley Ben-Adir's portrayal of Marley is captivating, the movie's scattered storytelling and lack of compelling structure result in a portrayal that falls short of revealing the complexity of the iconic musician. Despite touching on various aspects of Marley's life, "One Love" ultimately struggles to move beyond the banality of hero worship.
The biopic "Bob Marley: One Love" promises much but ultimately falls short, missing the mark on capturing the essence of the reggae icon's life and music. While the film starts with an electrifying portrayal of Marley's attempt to bridge political divides in Jamaica, it loses steam as it delves into clichés and misses opportunities to delve deeper into Marley's experiences in the UK and his interactions with the music industry. Despite some intense concert scenes and standout performances, the film struggles to fully capture the complexity and impact of Marley's life and music.
The premiere of "Bob Marley: One Love" was celebrated on what would have been the reggae legend's 79th birthday, with appearances by Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ziggy Marley, and Brad Pitt. Ben-Adir, who plays Bob Marley in the film, shared his experience of transforming into the iconic musician and his approach to portraying Marley's voice and music. Despite initial stress, Ben-Adir eased into the role and delivered an uncanny portrayal, impressing even Marley's son, Ziggy.
YG Marley's debut single "Praise Jah In The Moonlight" becomes the first reggae song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 7 years, featuring a vocal sample from his grandfather Bob Marley's song "Crisis" and co-written by his mother, Lauryn Hill. The song debuted at No. 74 and marks the sixth Marley family member to enter the chart. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia 'Babsy' Grange expressed no surprise at YG Marley's achievement, given the family's legacy in reggae music. The song has also achieved success on other international charts and streaming platforms. Lloyd Laing, a music expert, highlighted the Marley family's consistent success and anticipates their continued influence in the music industry.
Aston "Family Man" Barrett, the iconic bassist of Bob Marley and the Wailers, has passed away at the age of 77 after a long medical battle. Known for his influential bass work on many reggae hits, Barrett was a key figure in the growth of reggae music and played with numerous acts beyond the Wailers. His son confirmed the news on social media, and Barrett leaves behind a significant musical legacy.
Aston "Family Man" Barrett, the former bassist and bandleader of Bob Marley & The Wailers, has passed away at 77. Known for his iconic contributions to reggae music, Barrett's son confirmed the news, describing his father as both a remarkable musician and a remarkable human being. Barrett's legacy includes his role in The Wailers and his nickname "Family Man," which became even more fitting as he fathered 41 children.
Aston "Family Man" Barrett, the influential Jamaican bassist known for his role as the rhythmic architect of reggae music and his work with Bob Marley & The Wailers, Burning Spear, and others, has passed away at the age of 77. His bass work on numerous classic reggae tracks and albums has left an indelible mark on the genre, and his legacy as a musician and bandleader is celebrated by his peers and fans worldwide.
Exclusive images from the upcoming biopic "Bob Marley: One Love" have been released, featuring British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir as the iconic reggae pioneer. The film, produced in partnership with Marley's family, will be released in UK cinemas on February 14, 2024. The movie explores Marley's life, his message of love and unity, and the journey behind his revolutionary music. The exclusive images show Marley lounging on a park bench in London and going for a jog with The Wailers, his famous backing band. Marley, known for his fusion of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, was a global star and an important political symbol. He passed away in 1981 but continues to be celebrated for his contributions to music.