Root Eye
If there ever was one entity to do the natural ‘patriotic’ duty of putting the genre of reggae music on its deserved pedestal, it more likely than not would be the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
Until recently when Shatta Wale reinvented himself, blazing a historic trail that has ushered in Stonebwoy and the like, roots reggae was the main vehicle for contemporary Ghanaian highlife and gospel music.
The elevation of the art form has not come from the expected quarters; the initiative has come from collaboration between MUSIGA, 4Syte-TV and Roots Addiction at the behest of none other than original dancehall artist-turned roots crooner and TV/Radio personality Kwasi Nyarko Ofei aka Mr. Root Eye, Director of the Reggae Department of MUSIGA.
The launch of the “Accra Reggae Weekend” takes place on Friday, July 28 at the 4Syte-TV Mansion at East Legon 6pm.
This occasion will provide the backdrop against which players of instruments, promoters, brand advertisers, music industry executives, the general public and other stakeholders will meet to witness the birth of a phenomenon long overdue.
The revival initiative “Accra Reggae Weekend” will be a regular circuit that stirs up music from the genre’s vault performed live by Ghanaian reggae artistes, both home and abroad, with spiritual and socially conscious lyrics.
The five-venue monthly revival of traditional roots reggae will bring back the much missed ingredients of love, oneness, optimism, truth-seeking, and the positivity of a movement that may be losing its sheen.
3news.com met with the brain behind “Accra Reggae Weekend” – Kwasi Nyarko Ofei aka Mr. Root Eye – for more light on his initiative.
“Well, the idea is to keep reggae music live in regular venues. We need to establish a vibrant reggae scene in Ghana outside the traditional scenes at the beaches.
“There are so many wonderful acts and up-and-coming talent that music lovers never get to see because they are not exposed in mainstream venues.
“We have no funding at this moment, but the artistes, venue owners, media, and event organizations have come together to work together and split proceeds in percentages.
He added that they are using traditionally non-reggae venues such as the Bermuda Bar-Abelenkpe, Champs Sports Bar-Paloma, The Republic Bar-Osu, Root & Soul-Dansoman Estates, and the Piano Bar-Teshie Nungua Estates all in Accra for now but in future, will extend to other cities.
“We are featuring the best like Knii Lante, Oga Chux, Sammy Nukpese, Culture Levi, Kojo Kombolo, Paapa Wastik, Osagyefo, Iwan, Ras Kuuku, JahWi, and many more.
They will be supported by Rainbow Generation, Big Hills Band and Protégé and others.
By Nana Afrane Asante|3news.com|Ghana
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