The Rockers, Rockers, Rockers Traveling Festival tour ends on April 28 at the Théâtre de Verdure. It is an important event for the many fans of Roots Reggae Dancehall and for the Afro Caribbean community.
Spectators will be able to applaud the cream of the crop, the best in Reggae Roots, Dancehall. Indeed, the lineup includes: VYBZ KARTEL, GYPTIAN, and CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS performing live with the excellent RUFF CUTT BAND (from the UK), which some do not hesitate to call a real war machine!
VYBZ KARTEL
Adijah Palmer released his first single “Fat Women” at age 12. At 16, he formed VYBZ KARTEL, which he kept as his stage name. BOUNTY KILLER quickly noticed him and launched him at the end of the 1990s, releasing several singles alongside him (2001). Full of talent, both as a DJ and singer, Vybz Kartel also wrote lyrics for him, including the famous “High Grade 4 eva” and “Warlord”. In 2002, he was crowned DJ of the year. With the producer Don Corléon (Sean Paul, Elephant Man) or Trevor James (50cent), he established himself as one of the most prominent Jamaican Dancehall DJs. Since 2009, he has become the King of the genre, he is everywhere, featured on all the Riddims, and encourages new talents within his stable called Portmore Empire.
GYPTIAN
The son of a Christian mother who took him to sing at church on Sunday mornings and a Rasta father who had his own Sound System, Gyptian is one of the most prominent Roots Reggae artists. Jamaican, Gyptian got his name from the way he once wrapped a towel around his head when he was looking for a stage name, resembling a Pharaoh’s crown. His Roots Reggae songs, in the vein of a truth teller, lead to comparisons with Peter Tosh, whom he cites among his influences alongside Bob Marley, Luciano, and Beres Hammond… He made a big impact with “Serious Times”, “Hold You”, “Nah Let Go” and his latest single “Dugu Dugu”.
CHAKA DEMUS & PLIERS
Pliers was already a well-known Jamaican singer when he formed his duo with DJ Chaka Demus. With “Murder She Wrote” (by Pliers produced by Sly Dunbar of Sly & Robbie), Chaka Demus & Pliers achieved worldwide success with their Ragga Dancehall hit. From there, they stayed at the top of the charts for a long time. They followed up with hits like “Tease Me”, “She Don’t Let Nobody” a remake of Curtis Mayfield, and “Twist and Shout”. They are back for our great pleasure on stage at the Théâtre de Verdure.
THE RUFF CUTT BAND
It is considered the best English reggae backing band. They have been accompanying the greatest Jamaican artists on tour in Europe for years. From John Holt to Beres Hammond, Big Youth, Shabba Ranks, Ninjah Man …
