Tag Archives: peter tosh

GANJA REGGAE of the 70s, 80s, & 90s for 420

GANJA REGGAE of the 70s, 80s & 90s 
20 of the Best for 4/20

Okay, let’s be blunt. The celebration of 4/20 has a long and storied history. It apparently took 20+ years for the original “4:20 dudes” to be given credit for their undeniable contribution to the  “day of marijuana” title and tale.

A northern California group of friends—known as the Waldos—would gather at 4:20 p.m. to smoke a “doobie” next to a wall on their high school campus. They’d whisper 420 to each other as the Waldo’s secret code for marijuana. That catchy number was picked up years later by the Grateful Dead and High Times magazine and 4/20 was soon catapulted into the stratosphere, thus becoming the global code for “let’s smoke a doobie” day.

Jamaican artists were always on board with smoking a doobie, or, as they called it, a spliff. There have been hundreds ‘pon hundreds of “ganja” tunes recorded since the 60s. The Rastas, in particular, have been growing and smoking ganja before those Cali teens were out of diapers. 

Rastas have long preached of “herb” being “the healing of the nation.” And now, with medical marijuana stores, cafés, and products sprouting up around the world, it seems that, hell yeah, they are right. Big up, our number one cannabis crusader Peter “Legalize It” Tosh! Boom!

Maybe you “want to have Kaya now”? And you’re here to listen to some of the best-of-the-best Ganja Reggae songs. So, in honor of 4/20, we’re offering 20 of the best Ganja Reggae songs for your smoking pleasure. This hand-selected roster of your favorite singers, groups & DJs covers the 70s, 80s & 90s eras of Reggae music. So, “light up your spliff…light up your chalice” and enjoy the ride!

 

 

 

 


Click here for some fun 420 Did U Knows! 

Song Title Artist Year
Legalize It Peter Tosh 1975
Tired Fe Lick Weed a Bush Jacob Miller 1975
Free Up the Weed Lee “Scratch” Perry 1978
Kaya Bob Marley 1978
International Herb Culture 1979
Gi Mi Di Weed Jigsy King 1980
Marijuana Johnny Osbourne 1980
Sinsimilla Black Uhuru 1980
Pass the Kouchie Mighty Diamonds 1981
100 Lbs of Collie Cornel Campbell 1982
Pass the Dutchie Musical Youth 1982
Sensee Party Eek-a-Mouse 1982
Police in Helicopter John Holt 1983
Herbman Hustling Sugar Minott 1984
Pass the Kushumpeng Frankie Paul 1984
Under Mi Sensi Barrington Levy 1985
Under Mi Sleng Teng Wayne Smith 1985
The Herb Tony Rebel 1988
Sensimilla Sugar Minott 1990
Jamaican Collie Charlie Chaplin 1991
One Draw Rita Marley 1993

Inside the Vaults of Marley – 1990

(As published in Reggae Report V08#04 1990 – this article has not been updated since its original publication. Any updated information is welcome.) 

By Roger Steffens

Reggae historian & Marley archivist Roger Steffens

Bob Marley, Reggae’s prolific king, has been gone for nine years now and for the first time in that period, there exists a growing hope that the protracted legal battles for control of his life’s work are finally drawing to a close. At stake are millions of dollars in royalties, unreleased material, and properties. Nineteen lawyers are currently representing all the different claimants to the estate, including Bob’s children, the estates of the late Peter Tosh and drummer Carlton Barrett, the Wailers band, Bob’s mother Cedella Booker, Bunny Wailer, and various publishers and accountants.

As of the end of April, it appears as if an out-of-court scheme developed by Island Records president Chris Blackwell has met with qualified approval by most of the involved parties, and the way seems much clearer than ever for the eventual release of a treasure trove of unreleased and uncollected Marley and Wailers material going back to the dawn of his career in the early Sixties.

Chronologically, this is my breakdown of what remains to be heard, based on nearly twenty years of following every lead I could. And there is still a great deal of material, some of it stolen from Mrs. Booker’s home after Bob’s death that could yield even more surprises. Continue reading

The Murder of Reggae Legend Peter Tosh 1987 History

THE TRAGIC DEMISE OF “MYSTIC MAN” PETER TOSH –  V5#5 1987

By M. Peggy Quattro

The mystery surrounding the violent death of Reggae Superstar PETER TOSH is as complex and mysterious as the man himself.  The many reports, stories, assumptions, and speculations leave a shroud of doubt and suspicion in staggering proportions.

What a dark day for Reggae and a sad and shameful day for mankind.

What is known to date is that on the evening of Friday, September 11, 1987, three gunmen on motorcycles entered Tosh’s Plymouth Avenue residence in Barbican, Kingston, Jamaica. Apparently known by Tosh, the three were in the house for a short while before the massacre began. What a dark day for Reggae and a sad and shameful day for mankind. One of the killers, Dennis Lobban, turned himself into the Kingston Police only days later, following a warrant issued for his arrest and the involvement of Interpol (the international police force.) Two others are still being detained, their names as yet unannounced.

A Robbery Gone Wrong

The first to be fired upon was Marlene Brown, long-time girlfriend and Tosh’s current manager and accountant. Winston “Doc” Brown was shot and killed on the spot, with Peter being shot several times and reportedly beat about the head. He died hours later at the University of the West Indies Hospital.  Radio personality Jeff “Free I” Dixon also received shots to the head resulting in his death days later. Also wounded were Free I‘s wife Joy, Peter’s drummer Carlton “Santa” Davis, and another friend named Michael Robinson. Continue reading

Lucky Dube – South Africa’s Reggae King-1993 Interview

In Tribute – Lucky Philip Dube – Aug. 3 1964 – Oct. 18 2007

This article first appeared in Reggae Report, V11#6 1993

Lucky Dube… A Natural Man

By M. Peggy Quattro

Few individuals are naturally blessed with the predestined qualities of talent, wit, and a confident disposition. One such fortunate recipient is 29-year-old Lucky Dube, the remarkable South African singer/songwriter, who is presently dispensing his own musical blessings around the globe.

Lucky Dube
Lucky Dube Sunsplash 1992 – Photo by Lee Abel

You are among the unlucky if you missed Lucky Dube and his megaband, Slaves, on their recent two-month tour of the USA. The incredible show, which highlights Lucky’s dynamic vocals, capable of soaring three octaves; Zulu dancing from Dube, the sonorous back-up singers and stinging brass section; and infectious authentic African-Reggae rhythms, was presented in 35 cities. The venues ranged from small nightclubs to major summer festivals. Included in the tour was a free show held on a beautiful July day at Brooklyn’s Metro Tech Commons, sponsored by the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM.)

The moving response to the group’s performance was indicative of the overall reaction received whenever and wherever this talented troupe of performers set down. At the end of August, the tour moves on to Europe where they will be the opening act in a series of shows for international pop star Peter Gabriel. A two-week break in their hometown of Johannesburg is followed by a concert in Capetown, then off to finish the year in Australia, New Caledonia, Japan, and France.

Considered a superstar in South Africa, Dube, who neither smokes nor drinks, modestly credits his fans for this stardom. Continue reading

3 Ways Reggae Music Will Calm Your World

By M. Peggy Quattro
Reggae Report Magazine, Founder/Publisher

reggae flag on beachThere’s no doubt today’s world is a tumultuous place. We are faced with far too many “isms and schisms”: racism, capitalism, socialism, fascism, communism, authoritarianism, totalitarianism. For the past 50+ years, there’s been one constant that has helped humankind deal with the noise and commotion — the peaceful inner protest encapsulated in Reggae’s one-drop rhythm. Being well established in the Reggae movement for more than 35 years, I am sharing with you three ways I believe Reggae music delivers its message to a world of like-minded souls.

ONE

1) Reggae is often associated with ganja (aka marijuana/grass/weed/herb) and the ensuing euphoria this combination creates. However, by using the music’s heartbeat “riddim” wisely, Reggae captures our inner core. We instinctively dance and sing, even when we don’t understand all the Jamaican words, but ultimately it’s the music’s message that brings humanity together in harmony. We must thank the much-maligned and persistent Rastafari for educating the outside world on ganja’s health and spiritual benefits. Their peaceful and simple way of life is also rooted in political and socio-economic issues; their influence on Reggae’s growth, evolution, and contribution to Reggae history is undeniable. Continue reading

Reggae History: Andrew Tosh-Son of Peter Tosh-Interview

Update 2020: Like most artists at this time, Andrew Tosh (born Carlos Andrew McIntosh) has had to put all plans for 2020 touring on hold. This interview below was one of his last before he took a 10-year break from recording.

Andrew Tosh Cover V8#7 1990
Andrew Tosh Cover V8#7 1990

He returned with the Message to Jah album in 2000 and recorded four more through 2013, making a total of seven albums released. He received his second Grammy nomination in 2011 for Best Reggae Album for Legacy: An Acoustic Tribute to Peter Tosh produced by himself, Dawn Simpson & veteran producer Handel Tucker. This album featured duets with Ky-mani Marley and Bunny Wailer. Andrew was previously nominated for a Best Reggae Album for 1989’s Make Place for the Youth.

Andrew has performed at several Peter Tosh Tribute shows and festivals around the globe in the 20-teens. In February 2020, he was joined by musicians around the world for an inspiring version of “Mama Africa,” a song made by famous by his legendary father. Andrew was filmed in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica, and was joined by musicians and singers in Mali, Congo, South Africa, Brazil, and by his father’s former bassist, Fully Fullwood from his Los Angeles home. To watch this uplifting video from the amazing Playing For Change, click here.←


Make a Place for Andrew Tosh!

By Terri Larsen       V8#7 1990

Andrew Tosh, the eldest son of “Mystic Man” Peter Tosh, has become one of the most exciting youths to enter the 90s. With a musical style that emulates his father, not only in voice but in continually providing the youth of today with a message, Andrew has consistently proven that he not only has the sound of Peter Tosh but [also] an imagination and creativity that is purely his own. Continue reading

Peter Tosh – 75th Earthstrong 2019

2019 marks the 75th Earthstrong of the Mystic Man, Peter Tosh. Taken far too soon, Peter left us not only with legendary music, but also with his words of wit and wisdom…like this from an interview with Roger Steffens on KCRW-FM, Los Angeles, CA  Nov. 5, 1982

I’m living in a world of ignorance where everything that is righteous is condemned and everything that is wrongicious is elevated. I know that everything that is legal is illegal, and everything that is wrong is right, and that’s the Shitstem… ~Peter Tosh 

Every day is a day to celebrate the life of the Stepping Razor. Over the years, Reggae Report magazine featured the life and times of Peter Tosh through news, photos, and interviews. Many can be found and read on the site here.

Peter Tosh 1987 Reggae Report Cover
Peter Tosh 1987 Reggae Report Cover

Read the Music: Inside this 1987 issue is the story of his cruel and evil killing inside his own home, and coverage of the music-filled funeral/life celebration. You can read the music when you click to download the magazine here. 

The Rasta rebel was born on October 19, 1944, in Westmoreland, Jamaica & moved to Trenchtown when he was 17. 

Peter Tosh Promo Print

His solo career began in 1976 with CBS Records/Rolling Stones Records, & later EMI. After many years of sharing his music and message with the world, he was posthumously awarded the Grammy for Best Reggae Album for No Nuclear War in 1987. 

Taken at only 43, Peter would have been 75 years young today! For his birthday, play some Peter Tosh today!

Shop the Music: Check out our Tribute Bundle with classic magazines featuring the Legend in photos and interviews, and read the music whenever you wish!

Listen to the Music: Jam out to these Peter Tosh hits with this Top 11 List from Jamaicans.com 🎶

We wan’ know: What’s your favorite Peter Tosh song?