Jamaica Braces Itself For Reggae Month

Since the turn of the year marijuana enthusiasts have gone on about how this years ‘420’ celebrations will be going on for a whole month. As opposed to the usual 4th of April. But I am not sure if that is a real thing for purists. Unfortunately it does not coincide with Reggae Month in Jamaica.

February was declared Reggae Month by the Jamaican Government back in 2008. It is also the same month as Black History Month and it is also the same month as the genre’s pioneer’s birthdate. Bob Marley was born on the 6th of February 1945 and will be celebrated as well marking his 75th birthday.

Olivia Grange, the Minister of Culture emphasised the widespread interest in the upcoming month’s celebrations. It is believed this years celebrations will be the biggest since the month was declared in 2008.

“We have to do it in such a way where there is a national buy-in and where there is a feeling that there is something in it for everyone, we are introducing and have identified some areas that we want to focus the country on” Grange said.

As if it was fate, or people manipulating records. ‘Gold’, a collection by Bob Marley and the Wailers re-enters the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart going into the month. Not only does it hold the number 7 spot this week, but, ‘Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and The Wailers’ holds the top spot.

Shaggy holds onto the number two spot with ‘The Boombastic Collection: Best of Shaggy’. Sean Paul’s ‘Dutty Classics Collection’ moves down 2 spots from number five to number three. While Stick Figure completes the top 5 with ‘World on Fire‘ and ‘Set in Stone’.

Mrs[/embed] Grange added on that the organisers would be incorporating events with Marley tributes. Paying respect to one of the greatest musicians ever who is also one of Jamaica’s national assets.

Brace yourself for Reggae month. Riddimsworld.com will go in depth in reviewing some of the deepest reggae cuts of all time.