The legendary Freddie Mcgregor is set to headline the Jamhuri Reggae Festival on 3rd March 2018 at the KICC Comesa Grounds. Originally slated for December 2017 but later postponed, the festival will be celebrating its 2nd edition. The festival seeks to not only provide a unique concert experience but to also spread a non-political message of peace love and togetherness as the country exits a long period of electioneering.
Freddie Mcgregor is a reggae prodigy born in 1956 in Claredon, Jamaica. At only the age of 7, he joined a harmony duo called ‘The Clarendonians’ and recorded for the Studio One Label. After they split, he hooked up with Ernest Wilson to form a new duo ‘Freddie and Fitzroy’. They continued to record more music in Studio One as he developed his vocal style. He also sang for groups such as ‘Generation Gap’ and ‘Soul Syndicate’.
His solo music career started to hit when he converted to Rastafarianism which had a great effect on the music he recorded. He released his first album ‘Mr. Mcgregor’ in 1977 with budding producer Niney the Observer. He rose to fame in Jamaica after releasing his first LP with the single ‘Bobby Bobylon’ in 1980.
He also established himself as a producer working with the likes of Johnny Osbourne and Jennifer Lara.The second hit single, ‘Big Ship’ catapulted him to the top of the reggae charts in 1981. Later in his life established the Big Ship Recording Studio, and has produced many artists including Luciano and Mikey Spice. He continued to churn out pop hits until slowing down in the 1990’s.
In 2013 he received a Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies. He was recently honoured as a recipient of the prestigious Silver Musgrave Awards for his contribution to the arts through music. His music writing skills allow him to play around with different styles of contemporary Reggae, dancehall, dub, lovers Rock and roots Reggae which translates into this smooth, Philadelphia-style soul.
Sharing the stage with Freddie will be the prominent harmony group Culture featuring Kenyatta Hill. Culture is a renowned Jamaican based band who came together way back in the ‘80s. Their earlier series of roots albums made them popular in the world. They are best known for their ‘Two Sevens Clash’ album which was recorded as The Reggae Album of the Year in 1977. In 2002, it was recognized by Rolling Stone as the 25th out of 50 coolest albums of all time.
To celebrate their 40 year anniversary since the album was released the band has embarked on a tour across various continents. The band originally consisted of Joseph Hill, Albert Walter, and Roy Dayes but after Joseph Hill’s untimely death, his son, Kenyatta Hill took over the mantle and has been making amazing music with the band since then. Their energy while performing is consistently spell-bounding aiming to whisk you away into reggae fantasy. Jahlyric the Recording & Performing Artist Singer, Song Writer, Composer, Production Director will also have time to entertain the guests with his roots styled Reggae tunes.
Another group set to perform is R5 (Reggae 5) which consists of Levysill Gideon, Nazizi Hirji, Ras Mtapa, Jahpila Indaba and Ruzira Lavosti. Originally from Africa, the group seeks to preach peace, love, and unity using their Reggae, Dub, Lovers rock and Roots music. With already budding solo careers, all the band members bring some sense of creative experience to the group. The four-membered Roots Connection Band will back up the musicians on stage. Their Carribean tune is sure to get audiences on the floor.
From the lineup of amazing musicians, the stage will be oozing with reggae legends all with their different sounds and tones. The event which is sure to be a spectacular event will be sponsored by Nairobi Bottlers Ltd, NusuNusu Productions, Extra Dimensions Ltd, and Radar Security amongst others.
Regular tickets – Kshs 700
VIP- Kshs 3500
To purchase the tickets simply go to www.ticketsasa.com.
