Category Archives: USA Reggae

sly and robbie
ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, USA Reggae

Reggae’s Sly & Robbie – An Interview 2008

Sly & Robbie: Reggae Disciples Standing Up For Reggae

Words by M. Peggy Quattro  –  Aug. 30, 2008
(Listen to the Audio below!)

With careers spanning more than 30 years and hundreds of thousands of recorded tracks, SLY and ROBBIE – aka the Riddim Twins – are still standing up for reggae. Equal partners in the studio or on the stage, these world-renown artists, performers, and producers represent reggae to the fullest. Fueled by, what Robbie calls “God-power,” this ageless duo is having a seriously fun time doing it.

“Fueled by, what Robbie calls “God-power,” this ageless duo is having a seriously fun time doing it.”

I caught up with Sly and Robbie, long-time friends and colleagues, after their rousing performance with reggae rock dubsters Simply Stoopid, Internet sensations hailing from southern California, and Hawaii’s popular threesome, Pepper. These groups are young, energetic, and tour 250+ days a year. For 10 years, these reggae rockers have bucked the system and achieved phenomenal success by using the Internet as their medium. Starting out by performing for 50, 100, then 500+ faithful fans, both groups now sell their original music online and draw thousands of loyal fans to their wildly entertaining live performances.

Sly & Robbie with MPeggyQ 8/30/2008

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ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, The Marleys - All, USA Reggae, World A'Reggae, Yard Report

Stephen Marley: The Angry Lion Takes Control 2010

By M. Peggy Quattro

With the release of “Mind Control,” the debut chart-topping CD from the second son of Reggae’s original lion, Stephen Marley raises the bar and sets the standard for the future of Reggae music. Not bothered by the inevitable comparisons of looks and sound to his famous father, Stephen is honored by the resemblance and proud to deliver the same message of love, unity, and awareness that made Bob Marley a household name.

Personally, this is one CD I cannot listen to enough. From first hearing the title track, you know that this is going to be a breakthrough album. Each song that follows is a musical journey that permits the listener to become intimate with its creator. Stephen is fearless in displaying his political and social consciousness, as well as exposing a personal vulnerability seldom witnessed in Reggae music. Continue reading →

Stephen Marley & his 20-year-old dawta Mystic Marley
ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, USA Reggae

STEPHEN “RAGGA” MARLEY BEGINS 2019 ACOUSTIC JAMS TOUR

Exclusive Meet & Greet Receptions Expand to 19 Cities with Proceeds Going Toward Ghetto Youths Foundation

Mystic Marley Opens Select Dates in March

On February 25, the eight-time GRAMMY®-winning musician Stephen “Ragga” Marley will kick off an intimate acoustic U.S. tour in support of his latest 5-track EP, One Take: Acoustic Jams, released November 2018 on the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths International imprint. For one month, the 23-city run will span the South, Southwest and West Coast. Continue reading →

ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, USA Reggae

Julian Junior Marvin of Bob Marley’s Wailers is on a Mission

The Message of Love Tour Takes to the Road

Julian Junior Marvin of Bob Marley’s Wailers at Philly’s Ardmore Music Hall, Feb. 1, 2019

By M. Peggy Quattro

February brought the kick-off of Julian Junior Marvin’s “Message of Love” tour 2019. The famed Wailers lead guitarist presented two sold out shows in Philadelphia (Feb. 1) and Washington, DC (Feb. 2).  The band of talented musicians and singers were warmly welcomed inside Philly’s Ardmore Music Hall and DC’s Hamilton Live.

Featured on stage with Junior Marvin are Drix Hill and Samuel “Earth” Maxwell on keys, Dino Yeonas on guitar, Stephen Samuels on bass, Ken Joseph on drums, Brother Fitzroy James on percussion, and harmony songbirds Simone Gordon and Hassanah Iroegbu.

Photos of Junior Marvin and the band from the Ardmore Music Hall and Hamilton Live, Feb. 1 & Feb. 1

Both shows were billed as Bob Marley Birthday Celebrations and the fans and friends who joined in the party were not disappointed. From “Exodus” and “Could You Be Loved” to “Waiting in Vain” and “Three Little Birds” and all the favorites in between, Junior delivered a passionate and personal performance, telling the audience BMW stories and encouraging sing-alongs.

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ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, USA Reggae

“Get Together” – Chronixx & Ky-mani Marley a Massive Success

Wynwood Yard was Bursting with Fans of All Ages

By M. Peggy Quattro
Videos below

Miami – May 8, 2016 — The weather was perfect, the music was sweet as hundreds of fans flowed through Wynwood Yard for this special Mother’s Day show. The House of Marley, an eco-friendly brand of personal electronics, brought together two Reggae superstars – the genre defying Ky-mani Marley and the hottest new Reggae revivalist, Chronixx.

Wynwood Yard is a slice of Jamaica in the middle of the bustling Miami metropolis. Fab food, merch booths, & bars offering Red Stripe and Guinness surrounded the gravelly yard, while the stage was planted firmly on the NW 29 St. side. I would only request next time that the stage be a foot or two higher so the crowd in the back could actually see the show. Front stage was tightly packed with fans of all ages, shades, and cultures eager to sing and dance along with the eagerly awaited performers.

Photo by David I Muir
Photo by David I Muir

Ky-mani brought his hottah Konfrontation band, featuring two female singers who were simply entertaining to watch. Ky-mani kicked off with his father’s “Who the Cap Fit” and “Concrete Jungle,” which got the crowd fired up. He talked to the crowd and wished all the mother’s dem a happy mother’s day, which delivered a roar from all the women there. He turned out a super-energetic performance while delivering songs off his latest album, Maestro. Fans sang along with “Keepers of the Light” and “Love Over All” while Ky-mani danced and twirled around the very small stage. Continue reading →

ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, USA Reggae

1st Annual DAB Music Festival with Third World & Next Gen Marleys

third world
Ruption & band take us on a percussive journey

Words & Pics – M. Peggy Quattro & Barbara Reuther

Third World, Marley brothers Jo Mersa and Yohan, and Big Harvest delivered the Roots Rock Reggae, while Miami’s 10-piece band The Baboons brought the hot Latin, Funk, Pop, and Caribbean groove. Between sets, DJ Gravy and DJ Tom Laroc kept the music spilling into the iconic North Beach Bandshell on Miami Beach. This music-filled Day at the Beach was sponsored by CAC, LargeUp, and Blackwell Rum.

The Bandshell is a Miami Beach treasure. It holds less than 1000 people, and offers the opportunity to be directly stage-front, witnessing the performers only a few feet in front of you. As usual, it was a peaceful, fun congregation, similar to a big family reunion. For the $20-30 ticket price, I expected the place to ram. Fortunately for those present, there was plenty of room for skanking and a pre-celebration of the 4/20 unofficial holiday.

Next Gen Marley brothers
Next Gen Marley brothers

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ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, USA Reggae

Damian Marley & SOJA Sail into SunFest 2015

The West Palm Beach waterfront festival was full of fun, food, and music!
Words & Photos by M. Peggy Quattro
Video & Social Media by Arielle Quattro

This year, the trek to West Palm Beach (WPB) from Miami was by Tri-Rail. As first timers on the two-tier train that rides alongside the 10-lane I95 expressway, we enjoyed the special SunFest $5 fares, an added bonus to the hands-free, gasless, mindless commute.

Damian Marley
Damian Marley at SunFest WPB 2015

Downtown Palm Beach was all abuzz with festival activities. A favorite for South Floridians, SunFest draws all ages, races, and nationalities, men, women, kids, and millennials sporting the latest fashion trends. But it’s the music that brings them to the waterfront fest every year, for the five days of top names from all musical genres and the best in local talent. This Saturday drew me in with two acclaimed Reggae acts – Grammy-winner Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, aka Zilla, and the Grammy-nominated Washington, DC-based band SOJA. Continue reading →