AFRICAN REGGAE VIBES TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THIS YEAR SAUTI ZA BUSARA FESTIVAL

Three Reggae bands will perform at this year’s Sauti za Busara music festival under the banner of #AfricaUnited, suggesting that it’s high time music stakeholders take a second look at the power of Reggae as a genre on the continent.

Among the 40 bands, Reggae vibes will reverberate with musician and activist Rocky Dawuni of Ghana, Sami Dan & Zewd Band of Ethiopia, and Bob Maghrib of Morocco.

Sauti za Busara stands behind Reggae music’s well-known messages of unity, peace, love as well as challenging the status quo. After pouring over 600+ artist applications, Sauti za Busara’s decision to select three Reggae artists signals a challenge for young musicians and music managers to invest in Tanzania Reggae and expand their musical scope. 

Festival director Yusuf Mahmoud explains, “These three Reggae artists are undoubtedly the some of the best African Reggae representatives on the continent. We’re confident many Tanzanians love Reggae not only for its rhythms but also for its messages of hope to all those who struggle for justice and freedom.”

The music collective of Bob Maghrib was founded in 2011 as a tribute to the visionary Reggae artist Bob Marley. As a fusion band, the group melds Moroccan melodies with Reggae beats to create unique rhythms that honor linked African roots. 

Legendary Rocky Dawuni has shared the stage with epic musicians Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Bono, Jason Mraz, Janelle Monae, John Legend, and others. Dawuni was named one of Africa’s Top 10 Global stars by CNN and his sounds unite a pan-African range of generations and cultures, weaving in Swahili lyrics in songs such as “Nairobi Nakupenda.”

Sami Dan arrived on the music scene with a background in engineering and a youthful passion for music. Early experiences writing and performing songs in Form 5 and 6 convinced him to follow a musical path. He formed Zewd Acoustic Band in 2014 and he hasn’t looked back since. Songs like “Fikir Selam” or “Love, Peace” moves fans with its smooth grooves and message of peace and love above all. 

Sauti za Busara, mentioned by CNN as one of 7 top African music festivals that are too good miss, will take place in Stone Town, Zanzibar between the 9th and 12th of February, 2017.

More information: busaramusic.org