CANADIAN REGGAE WORLD - Blog

Kabaka Pyramid wins 2023 Reggae Grammy

2/7/2023

For the man, the artist and the person that I met, this is a most deserving award, because we still put so much credence in winning one of the music industry's most coveted awards

Last year, when a white reggae band, Soja, won the award, there was a massive upheaval for some, watching as white culture infiltrated once again, not only performing, but winning the award

Some tell me that Soja deserved the award based on their contributions that are over a decade of music, touring and performing yet it still does not / did not sit well with many

Non-Jamaicans winning global / American reggae awards seem ludicrous with the NUMBERS of artists, songs and decades of performers doing it on the island. But once the genre leaves Jamaican shores, anything can gwaan

We have no power inside or outside of Jamaica for the protection of reggae nor reggae artists as far as I'm concerned. The numbers of veteran artists suffering financially at this time is one clear indicator of the lack of focus Jamaica's governing bodies have in protecting solid contributors over the years. The numbers of artist's works in the genre on the rock leaves little room for foreign reggae artists and bands, yet they can end up winning because it is actually "their" award show

We are always at the mercy of the machine that runs the game

Well deserved win for Kabaka Pyramid, who is a young artist with a fairly deep catalogue and is a highly conscious RasTaman. For him to reap any rewards based on talent and hard work, creating more sales for this souljah is a blessing for I man to witness

Consciousness spotlighted is a plus for the planet

I met Kabaka Pyramid through Canadian / Jamaican reggae legend African Star, Stuart Brown, at his spot on Eglinton at the time, called Sankofa, when he and his band were in Toronto for a performance {2015 maybe}

I went to the presser to interview him but when I arrived, I saw the signs of an artist that had done one too many interviews in a short space of time, so I took a step back and allowed him to just chill. Yet as the evening rolled on we came together, one on one, and shared a few moments just reasoning. I will obviously remember it far more than he will. I was struck then at his humility and a mannerly, gracious spirit and felt like I got much more than an interview

We had a moment

It is blessing to me that this artist reaps rewards in this biased and skewed game of international awards, giving ises to a conscious Rastaman with positive messages for the planet

Congratulations Kabaka Pyramid on your Grammy 2023 award win and continued success

JuLion

Ras Spanky ~ Sovereign Smoke

2/3/2023

A man in Jamaica sent a letter to all his relatives, through a 3rd party, that he had died and needed some aid with the funeral. The families abroad sent thousands so that dude could have a proper burial

Our bredrin, collected all of the money, bought a house, a van and started a successful delivery business which his family soon heard about and started to cuss my dude on how deceitful he is

Our bredrin wrote back to the family saying, “If I asked you all to invest in a home, van or business with me, none of you would yet you will pay for my death”

Moral of the story, give love, praise, money, honor to those who you live with today

Spanky gave me this story which I wrote in my own interpretation, but yu ketch the drift

Spanky persevered through the abusive fire of babylon and 2023 him still deh yah

He lives a life guided by Garvey, Malcolm, Nanny molded by Haile Selassie l. The world loves to honor man and man after dem nuh deh bout so I honor him today because I man rate how he stood up to over three hundred raids {I guestimate} and standing firm as Sovereign Smoke today

Simeon Johnson, Ras Spanky is a general in my community who has paid dearly for his efforts to service his community as herb man, a business owner, owner and selecta of Stur Gav

A reggae souljah, a RasTafari elder who has persevered close to three decades to move DJ Records, his business name for 25 years, to Sovereign Smoke today

I asked him how many times he has been raided by de guy dem. I asked, "100 times?" and he says, "more dan dat man", I asked, "200 times?" he says, "more Dan dat man", I ask, "300 times?" to which he said, "de numba cyaa count"

Whatever the number busts, de numba nuh matta, Ras Spanky still deh pon de block, serving his community

I pride myself as a reggae man and others know me as such and a part of my reggae job is to spotlight the souljahs in the game that have elevated our culture and in his case, continues to do so

Twenty-five plus years at 2508 Eglinton Avenue West, there are volumes of vinyl for sale, RasTafari products, djembes, roots drinks and tonics, which are always available to the public

On a Friday evening, we are running a series with DJs within the city, who contribute to Toronto / Canadian reggae culture. Last Friday, 13 January, David Kingston was behind the decks playing so fire tracks. As some may be aware, David had a truly popular show while CKLN 88.1FM was still functional

David Kingston a true godfather of the Canadian reggae scene and highly respected for his contribution. Truth is, he fulljoyed de ting so much that he will be coming back again and again

Friday 20th features Patrick Roots of CIUT 89.5FM, with his show Reggae Riddims. Patrick will be on air, volunteering his time to play reggae music, for over 30 years to date

Each week, each Friday, we will bring legends, up and coming, veteran, rookie DJs at Sovereign Smoke

This is that opportunity for our community to thank this relentless businessman with our collective support. Come over to Eglinton and Keele and purchase reggae vinyl and bring positive vibez and profitability to de culcha

Marley Lights at Toronto City Hall 2023

1/12/2023

Toronto City Hall is set to honor the reggae King, Bob Marley, this year once again, by turning the LED lights to red, gold and green (it is always a challenge to get the right sequencing of the colors, but in the end, I'm still very proud)

Why?

The colors of RasTafari have penetrated to the core of the colonial culture that has abused its people since the inception of the doctrine by Leonard Percival Howell and others, pointing to that black King from the east, Haile Selassie l, as a black God

No, I'm not arguing theology or religion, I'm framing a life lived by many, who needed a path away from the abusive religions used to dominate African minds

A black God

His Majesty showed an honorable truth to the world

Bob believed that the powers of RasTafari could bring the love of humanity to politicians Manley and Seaga, to stop the alleged CIA infiltration to the JA governments, both PNP as well as JLP and stop the blood shed, that is still ongoing today

What many are unaware of, is that at street level, all a de bad man dem were willing to accept peace, and nuff waring factions actually met up to stop the violence to Jamaican people

The peace worked

And then it didn't

And the blood letting continues today mostly to one "class" of Jamaicans

The Peace Concert

RasTafari

Bob's actions were clearly about peace and true love of humanity

It is an honor to witness the colors by City Hall as they honor one of RasTafari greatest souljahs

Walk with your drum (if it nuh too cold. It's always freezing cold on that day). If not, we will chant a few tunes together

Sovereign Smoke

11/30/2022

Sovereign Smoke, formerly DJ Records, is doing a soft launch for the “day ones” who frequented DJ Records back in the day

For many moons, Ras Spanky has been on Eglinton West, providing a herb service to the community, rain or shine. De babylouse raided the establishment probably over 300 times within that stretch and Ras Simeon has stood firm to this day

He is now able to do so without harassment from de bwoy dem

We are inviting you to come see the newly renovated store

Between 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Monday, 5th December, 2022

Co-host for the event is five time Juno Award winner, Exco Levi

Performances by Exco Levi, Dub Trinity, Johnson Code and Howie Smart

Spinning tunes for the legendary Stur Gav Sound will be selectas Mally Bless, Shawn & I-Wayne

A small peek of the transition

Click on photos to expand

I Identify As Maroon

11/28/2022

Maroons," a word derived from "Cimarron," which means "fierce" or "unruly."

The term signifies, " being left behind"

Marooned

Yet in our indomitable way, we make this term into one of sheer pride

A name by choice not identifying with the abusive colonizer and their centuries long brutality against Africans

Who are the Maroons?

We were indoctrinated by the colonizer horseshit literature who told us that the Maroons were captured Africans who escaped plantations into Cockpit country where they were left alone because of the fierce nature of the people

Tactically, from a military standpoint, it was also quite difficult for the colonizer to mount any effective attacks up the side of a mountain which the Maroons and people like Three Finger Jack effectively defended themselves

The Maroons fought so well that the British finally gave up and signed a treaty saying that they would leave these people alone

What other, more recent histories, conversely far more ancient, have taught is that Africans sailed to the Caribbean, South and North America, CENTURIES before the european ever built a single boat hence the features on the sculptures as well as pyramids, similar in their spectacular constructions in Africa initially (there is no fucking "middle east", it is ALL Africa)

It is strongly believed that these Africans are the ancestors of the so called Maroons and many so called Jamaicans to this very day

I for one, learning of the teachings and exploits of Queen Nanny, Garvey, Howell and many others, this "mandigo pride" is deep within many of us born on the rock

The lawlessness, murder rate, corruption and crime in Jamaica is orchestrated by the colonizer and their mascots like governor generals and prime ministers who invest in the murder of Jamaican people carrying out their master's wishes

Organized poverty is deliberately programmed into certain communities and the violence is now sixty (60) years running, including the deaths of thousands

These mascot blame the people and the music, distracting those who don't ovastand the abuses of "the corporation" and its organized corruption

Colonial abuses are well documented from Hong Kong, Bombay to Kenya to Ghana to Kingston, Jamaica. This again isn't news

If we seek any change, it must be away from the colonizer abuser

I am a Maroon

I identify as such

I do not condone abuse or violence to other humans as honorable behavior

There is no honor in abuse

Many Jamaicans today, not in Cockpit Country are also Maroons. There are many Africans in Halifax, brought there by the colonizer, facing further abuse who are direct descendants of Maroons, who got sent there by order of the aforementioned treaty signed, when England could not bend the knee of the Maroon

"They" have the seat of power saying that they "conquered" humans and "discovered" land ie; Columbus, Knights Templar and many other dishonorable europeans, which is maintained through continued corruption

We ovastand their importance paid to belittling Africans

I do not ascribe to being belittled

I see today the abuse continues with the current prime minstrel picking a fight with the Maroons in Cockpit Country, mining bauxite and poisoning the clean drinking water systems, rivers and lungs of the children and vegetation of Cockpit Country with toxic fumes and chemicals used in bauxite mining

The fresh drinking water is far more valuable than bauxite but colinizer abuses cannot be stopped... it seems

Chief Richard Currie of Accompong, is standing his ground with his people and fellow Maroon leadership, who defend themselves against the abuse of the Jamaican police ordered by the prime minstrel

No Jamaican government, since the hypocrisy of "independence" with the exception of prime minster Michael Manley, has protected the Jamaican people from colonizer abuse. They have all been highly corruptible humans, doing nothing to develop the talent rich Jamaican population

I identify as Maroon

Even though I am not on the front lines, I will do my best to elevate the Maroon community because they love themselves and stand with pride and honor throughout history

~

Below, is a novelette I wrote a few years ago about Three Finger Jack. A fiction based in much of the folklore I grew up with. Jack refused to be enslaved. He was a hero of mine when I heard about in in prep school when I was only nine years old

I wrote it in mind as a movie some day

Three Finger Jack ~ The Spirit of Jamaica on Amazon (yes, it a sell inna babylon)

The statue of an Olmec head, found in Mexico, does not have caucasian features. Like, none!

What it does look like is GREATLY African and supposedly dates back to 900 BC. When folks create the features of a deity, it usually looks like not only the sculptors but also the entire civilization at the time. Anything the european cannot explain, that is clearly African, they tell our children that aliens did it

Reasoning and deduction. I am no historian, anthropologist nor a scientist... I do not really know the science (an important necessity in this time... bullshit). I have my eyesight and that sculpture is clearly African which can be honestly explained as intercontinental travel... by boat / ship. This information is in no schooling system for 2,000 years now

The BS is centuries deep

I want better for Jamaica

I have a need, a will, a calling to do better for the next likkle me that is alive and well today somewhere on the island

I believe the world benefits even greater from elevated Jamaican spirit

I identify with the Maroon spirit

Reggae in the Ring - Feel Reggae - Sound System Edition ~ JuLion Boxing Exhibition

10/30/2022

Reggae in The Ring, Feel Reggae ~Sound System Edition

Feel Reggae will host a Sound System edition featuring, King Stereograph, Stur Gav Sound, Ras Spanky with guest David Kingston & Tippa Irie

For those of you who have never experienced this bass sound, the clarity and the sweetness, RasSpanky a go string up the sound fey u. I have watched him do it and photographed the process. See evidence in photos to come

Four {4} exhibition bouts

JuLion vs Opponent to be named

One ladies bout and a couple more to be named

More details to come

Corporate Vampirism Infiltrates Marley Brand

10/24/2022

The over-commerciality of Bob Marley, a humble RasTafari, is being further tainted by a horrendous babylonian machine, intent on turning the Marley name from an uplifting energy to a point where many in the global fanbase hate the Marley brand and what it stands for

It is like there is a corrupt, demonic energy intent on changing the Marley love to corporate hate

The latest issue is Tuff Gong crushing veteran, Jamaican, reggae artists by reportedly taking over a Sirius radio channel, removing their music (royalty payments) and injecting all Marley tunes and keeping all profits for themselves. A vampire ting dat if it is true

We know if Bob were alive today, this would never happen

The merchandising of the Marley brand gets a pass because of who Bob was but it has been very clear for a time now that a bunch of corporate lizards are running his brand and deliberately ruining the true love legacy of dat Marley yout

It seems like a deliberate program to have the world eventually hate the Marley brand and their agenda is working. Many now do not want to hear about Bob Marley anymore

The corporate lizards are winning

"Babylon system is a vampire, sucking the blood of the sufferer" and we, his adoring fans, wear his countenance on various clothing items with great pride because of the love that he signifies

He is a symbol of love, through the guidance of RasTafari

RasTafari is not sainthood

Yet

The virtues of honor, respect, integrity and nobility guide the teachings of His Majesty to believer and non-believer alike

Bob was an honorable yout

This Tuff Gong taking over on Sirius radio show, The Joint, is dishonorable

It is a vampire move

Those who guide the Marley brand and the Tuff Gong brand seem to be the vampires that have invaded the camp. Their focus is the "bottom line" which are responsible business practices for their share holders yet as a fan of Bob's essence, his impact on me as a man, I find their practices deeply toxic to the global community

Maybe this is the intent of the corporation

"Dem a go tired fe si wi face" another prophetic line of The Gong bares witness in this time

Someone mentioned boycotting the brand since all that they care about is the bottom line. Might be effective to significantly affect that prescious bottom line to punish them but that's not my path as Bob's essence as a proud ambassador of RasTafari is still a positive energy that they are trying to pimp

Do some righteous things going forward an yu can stave off de bonfire

Modify the Sirius reggae show and include ALL the veterans who are as responsible for where the reggae culture is today. Gi dem some food to

Anything with the Bob Marley name on it is for the people, which includes the beach that carries his name, which means Jamaican people can go a dem own beach

Set up a football academy and give Jamaican youths a better chance as we have already proven is worth investment based on the numbers of internationals around the world. Appoint Alan Skill Cole as director. Bob would love dat

Create a fund to teach Jamaican children the use of all instruments, all in the Marley energy

Do some righteous things and maintain the honor in his name

The hatred for one of our most glorious souljahs is growing and it isn't about bad mind or jealousy. It isnt about Bob Marley. It is about those who now run and guide these entities. Make your profits all you like yet treat the public more respectfully. Treat other reggae artists respectfully. Do it now before more folks start to hate on the Marley name

Ovastand, I will forever be a Bob Marley fan... been one since I was 13 years old

I feel like those running his businesses are plotting against that upful RasTafari energy which is the true essence of Robert Nesta Marley

The Blessing Of Bob Marley

10/20/2022

The blessing of Bob Marley

On top of being famous for locks, ganja smoke, Jamaica, Hope Road, Nine Mile, Trench Town, football, love, RasTafari was the core of this beautiful soul that is Robert Nesta Marley. I still say "is" because that lovely energy still encircles the planet, oozing into newer generations of our children

Hermon "Woody" King, my uncle, had a friendly relationship with Bob and as a youth I crossed path with Alan Skill Cole as well, one time Wailers manager and arguably Jamaica's greatest baller, some place up in Red Hills playing football. Back then, Alan Cole was a bigger superstar to me and many youths over Bob Marley, as we all worshipped football. I believe the year was either '74 or '75 making me fourteen to fifteen years old. I was just good enough as a youth to get a game cause de big man dem doh like running wid likkle bwoy pon de field

Bob was just another player on the field

At that time, I had no idea how impactful he already was

RasTafari energy to the world with a humble spirit full of love

Draw brakes! The man is as fallible as you or I, just as full of shit with bad ways, yet the love and humility he has, transcends through time itself still affecting us in positive ways today

Forty-two years since his passing and his energy is celebrated in all four corners

The tour is here in Toronto, Canada and a good friend purchased two tickets and off we went

Truthfully, I had zero intention to go to the event because I have lived my truth. A truth that includes a time when Marley was basically banned on the radio in Jamaica because of his "radical" views based in RasTafari, who are still vilified in Jamaica yet greatly respected globally. I did not wish to be at an event commercially gaining profits yet no profits shared to those Bob is still singing about today

In this past week, Jamaicans at home are about to lose access to a beach named, wait for it, The Bob Marley Beach, which the residents cleared away stones for themselves. Most of the beaches on the island will not cater to the people of Jamaica

Black people in their own country cannot access most of the beaches since the 70s based on colonizer abuse and prejudice

The Bob Marley Beach is now about to shun Jamaican born people... The degration by the colonizer don't change, even if they are selling his products on a worldwide tour

I used to get so angry and cuss somebody / everybody

Now, I'm grateful the world still celebrates this beautiful spirit because truly, that is his real power. His ability to reach loving, spiritual souls who resonate the same frequency of love. Mek dem keep dem money as we continue to celebrate upful livity. That livity transcends across decades now

Mi nah chat bout turn nuh cheek. Not one rass!

I'm taking the lead of my elders, Jack, Woody, Skill, Bob, Peter, Bunny, Bob and Horace Andy, Miss Lou and Nanny, Marcus, The Gong... they didn't just cry about the pertinent abusive issues, they kept it moving, creating and carving out their own spaces on the planet, affecting the times in which they lived and examples going forward

"Lord I gotta keep on moving...Lord they coming after me"

Prophetic

He kept moving. Don't let the babylonian be our only focus

Stick to your mission

The positive energy of RasTafari elevates our planet and one of its greatest disciples is still spreading that love today and for that, I am forever grateful

If you respect the vibez, this article or the reggae works to the community that we bring, etransfer if you wish to donate and continue to encourage our works, canadianreggaeworld@gmail.com

Jah guide

876ers

10/17/2022

876ers

Jamaicans love Jamaica

Man like Leonard Percival Howell and Marcus Mosiah Garvey encourage my thoughts to a more entrepreneurial existence even within the corruption of the matrix

I man love the mandingo mentality of my visions of some of I and I ancestors like Three Finger Jack who targeted and killed many of his white oppressors... singlehandedly

Calm down

That fear of black people taking brutal revenge may be a solution by Jack yet history has proven this to be an isolated case. I feel like the general consensus is that we'd prefer to live freely within our spaces, even if you cannot relate to them and just "live"

No war, no hate, just live

Live up

Yeah, a it dat

Hence I am aware of the centuries long colonial abuses are brought to the population directly by the governments over the years that serve the crown

They do not serve Jamaicans

They impose the will of the colonizer to Jamaicans

They treat the majority of Jamaicans like shit as you can see from the employment rates since the 70s as well as the escalation of gun crime and murder

All of this is orchestrated

All of it

Wi still love Jamaica

We are unable to remove that powerful choke hold of the colonizer in this futile fight for human decency and respect

Mi nah "fight"

Nuh fight at all

I will celebrate the spirit of the mandigo

The spirit of the Maroons, currently being abused by the colonizer planted government, who are consistent in their stance to protect their rights as free humans

The 876ers merchandise promotes this ideology for independent thought and upliftment of the people of Jamaica and the people of the planet

We are not anti-goverment, we are pro love

Yeah

Pro love

Order Online any place in Canada and the USA: https://royal-tease.ca/collections/rfl

Contact: canadianreggaeworld@gmail.com

Mally Bless Album Review ~ In Love With Livin

10/7/2022

True to form, this humble lion praises H. I. M. Emperor Haile Selassie l, from the initial tune "Wanna Be" and a theme through the entire album as well

Lyrically conscious, strong, strong production, the first listen as sweet as the seventh

Congratulations Marlon Lovemore for your vision and positive energy which is currently resonating in so many ways and now this album, "In Love With Living". The title track is uplifting and well fresh, and baseline... terrible!!!! A real skanking chune! I believe you! You are in love with living

Nex anthem chune, "Reggae Music"... Beat I man congo to dah track yah. Real nice tribute dada

"Fallin" a brother ovastanding a path where woman and man build a team. A message to share to everyone

R. I. P. Deeply loving anthem for anyone who loses anyone. Ites up Gloomy's heart-felt collab on this track. The cultures of reggae and hip hop outta Toronto flows nice on this one

"New World Order" truthful, conscious and highly intuitive. The essence of reggae music is truth. This reggae / dancehall vibe amplifies this soulful energy. Big chune dada

"So Much Joy" a collab with wife Tonya P is as real as it gets. I personally get to watch it happen and find it an upliftment to the community around us. Sell off love track

Track numba 13, bonus track, "Lovemore" is exactly who this lion is. He wants to give us all love and actually lives it in real life. This president of Easy Going Towing, gets only 5 star ratings because of this love. He has it for everyone!

Thank you, as my idrin, I can brag about your album to the world and whomever wishes to listen

***We do not do album reviews so please do not send me your music. Not a disrespect thing. I need organic responses. Bless ***

Mally Bless on IG: https://www.instagram.com/imallybless/

Below is their company Easy Going Towing. De Natty a guard wi pon de highways fe real