Essex’s own One Love Festival is back with a bang this year. This year will see the reggae legends U-Roy and Black Uhuru headline the event.
One Love Festival was created in 2008 as UK’s 30th anniversary of Jamaica’s One Love Peace Concert in 1978 – and takes place every year in August and is the UK’s Number 1 Reggae Camping Festival running for its sixth year.
Some more information about the headliners:
U-Roy revolutionized the musical style of Reggae in 1969 through Toasting. “toasting” rapping over “versions” of popular songs remixed by King Tubby. Considered one of Jamaica’s first Deejay stars, “U-Roy raised the art of toasting to new heights. He didn’t just spit a few phrases here and there, he rode the riddim from the starting gate to the last furlong”. The instigator Rap in the world!! U-Roy working with Duke Reid created a “version” of the Paragons’ “Wear You to the Ball” which became the first ever “toast” record to make an impact back in 1969!! The Jamaican reggae living legend is back on the worldwide stage with a brand new album: Pray Fi Di People after 10 years of absence in the studios! This album confirms again the Jamaican toaster’s talent with a roots sound which followed his time and which is claiming peace respect and music’s universality.
Black Uhuru ft Iqualah Rastafari with Duckie Simpson , Andrew Bees and Kay Stahr. Black Uhuru is a probably best known for their hits “Shine Eye Gal”, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “Sinsemilla,” “Solidarity,” and “What Is Life?”. They were the first group to win a Grammy in the reggae category when it was introduced in 1985. They originally formed as ‘Black Sounds Uhuru’ (the Kiswahili word for freedom).
One Love Festival A/Z Line Up To Date – acts released periodically:
About the original One Love Concert (1978):
The One Love Peace Concert was a large concert held on April 22nd, 1978, at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. This concert was held during a political civil war in Jamaica between opposing parties; Jamaican Labour Party and the People’s National Party. The concert came to its peak during Bob Marley & The Wailers’ performance of “Jammin”, when Marley joined the hands of political rivals, Michael Manley (PNP) and Edward Seaga (JLP).
Bob Marley said the following as he called the two politicians onstage and held their hands above his head:
“His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie, I run lightning, leading the people of the slaves to shake hands. . . To show the people that you love them right, to show the people that you gonna unite, show the people that you’re over bright, show the people that everything is all right. Watch, watch, watch, what you’re doing, because. . I’m not so good at talking but I hope you understand what I’m trying to say. I’m trying to say, could we have, could we have, up here onstage here the presence of Mr. Michael Manley and Mr. Edward Seaga. I just want to shake hands and show the people that we’re gonna unite . . . we’re gonna unite . . . we’ve got to unite . . . The moon is high over my head, and I give my love instead. The moon is high over my head, and I give my love instead.”
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Website: www.onelovefestival.co.uk