The GRAMMY Museum to Debut New Exhibit, "Bob Marley, The Messenger"

On May 11, 2011, The GRAMMY Museum will debut a new exhibit, Bob Marley, Messenger. Housed on the Museum's second floor, the exhibit will focus on Bob Marley as a private, spiritual man, as a powerful performer who used his lyrics to give a voice to the disenfranchised and as a legend who has inspired legions of fans in the 30 years since his death. Bringing together more than 40 diverse artifacts, rare photographs and more, the exhibit features items from the private collection of the Marley family.

Nas & Damian Marley's Full LIVE Coachella Set --- Sunday April 17, 2011 [HD Video]

VIDEO INSIDE

Taj Weekes & Adowa Offer Free Download of "DRILL" to Commemorate the one-year Anniversary of the BP Gulf oil Spill

Reggae Artist Taj Weekes and his band Adowa marked the one-year anniversary of the British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill by giving away a Free Download  of their incisive ballad, "Drill". The free download will only be available for one week starting Wednesday, April 20, 2011 on Taj Weekes’ website. 

It is a year ago Weekes was in studio recording his latest CD release, A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen, when news of the disaster flooded the nation's media. During a break in one of the late-night sessions, Weekes picked up a newspaper article on the spill. "I was astounded by the sheer magnitude of the numbers… very quickly the lyrics started to form themselves," he recounts. "94 planes, 6000 ships, 3 million feet of boom/35,000 people to help clean up this gloom/drill, baby drill, baby drill…"

Talks of a Tribute Concert for Smiley Culture Possibly Featuring Nas, Sade, David Bowie and More

Merlin Emmanuel, the nephew of UK Reggae artist Smiley Culture who died in police custody in March, is reportedly in the process of organizing and planning a tribute concert for the late singer. 


He told the Streatham Guardian: “We are in talks with Nas, Sade, David Bowie, Jessie J and others. I actually have a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) to decide on the venue and date.”


The concert will not only be a tribute to Merlin's uncle, but also a tribute to those who have died in police custody in recent years, according to reports.

West Virginian Cafe Claims Trademark Infringement on Marley's "Mellow Mood" Drink

The Marley family is back in court again, this time it is for their latest drink/tea branded "Marley's Mellow Mood".


A cafe located in Sheperdstown, West Virginia is claiming trademark infringement on the new Marley drink/tea and wants the Marleys to find another name. While the Marleys say it is the cafe who must find another name because they had the name first. 

Classic Reggae Inspired Movie "The Harder They Come" to be Re-Made

Classic 1972 movie "The Harder They Come", arguably Jamaica and Reggae's most successful movie to date is set to be re-made by a U.K. film production house.


Xingu Films from out of the United Kingdom along with the help of  Canada's Conquering Lion and Jamaican producer Justine Henzell are uniting to remake the film which was originally starred by legendary reggae artist Jimmy Cliff. 

In the original film Cliff played the role of an aspiring and talented reggae musician who was lured into a life of crime.

Ghanian Reggae Icon, Rocky Dawuni for Governmental Role in Ghana?

Where ever around the world Ghanian Reggae icon Rocky Dawuni brings his music, he carries the name of his beautiful African nation and homeland Ghana with him. Therefore it comes as no surprise when we learnt that Ghana's Ministry of Tourism is now considering making him Goodwill Ambassador for Tourism in Ghana.


Rocky was praised by the country's tourism minister, The Honourable Akua Sena Dansua for his "immense contribution, through the platform of reggae music, at promoting Ghana in the international community".

Peter Tosh's "Legalize It" and "Equal Rights" Albums to be Re-released as Prestigious Legacy Edition Double-CD Sets

Peter Tosh's first two solo albums released by Columbia Records will be commemorated with the releases of LEGALIZE IT: LEGACY EDITION and EQUAL RIGHTS: LEGACY EDITION.  Both double-CD packages will contain a lion's share of previously unreleased material from the original sessions (and material previously available on very limited edition Dub Plates), along with new essays by Reggae scholar Roger Steffens (on Legalize It) and former manager Herbie Miller (Equal Rights).

Both packages will be available through Columbia/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT on June 21st at all physical and digital retail outlets.

Rare Bob Marley Photos to be Released to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of his Passing [Photos Inside]

To celebrate what will be the 30th anniversary of the death of Reggae icon Bob Marley, Proud Galleries releases "Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae", a collection from photojournalist Kim Gottlieb-Walker.


Peep some of these rare and never before seen photos inside:

Like Father, Like Daughter: Nkulee Dube, Daughter of Lucky Dupe Preps Debut Album and Summer Europe Tour

These days Nkulee Dube is busy in the studios in Johannesburg, South Africa putting on the finishing touches to her debut album. The album will be produced by Native Rhythms Productions who recently signed  Nkulee to their label and is expected to be released in May of this year. 

Nkulee Dube is the daughter of arguably South Africa's most successful reggae superstar and icon, Lucky Dube. Her style of music however is a little different from daddy; it is more like a fuse between ethno-soul ragga (a term that refers to Raggamuffin music, a sub-genre of dancehall and reggae music), with Afro-soul.

With the members of her legendary father's band One People by her side, Dube is expected to electrify Europe starting June 2 in Wurzburg, Germany. She will open her European tour in Wurzberg at the International Afro Music Festival.

Over 30 Reggae Groups From Jamaica, UK and South Africa Expected in Zimbabwe for "Bob Marley Commemorations"

The organizers of this year's edition of the "Bob Marley Commemorations", a three-day festival in Zimbabwe have already started preparations with over 30 reggae groups from Jamaica, England, South Africa and Zimbabwe expected to appear.


This year's edition of the festivities will be held from May 13-15 at Mazowe Sailing Club along Lake Chivero and will be "bigger and better than the previous years" according to Trevor Hall popularly known as Ras Jabu and other organizers of the festival.