REGGAE ARTIST'S GALLERY

REST IN PEACE RASTA MIKEY
The MUSIC and the MEMORY LIVE on!
ABOUT MIKEY DREAD:
MONDAY,March 17, 2008
This is an Official News Release from the “Dread At The Controls, Inc."
MIKEY DREAD PASSED AWAY Michael Campbell (aka “Mikey Dread) our beloved friend passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2008 with his wife and family by his side. For those who would like to join in remembering the wonderful memories of Mikey Dread, you can call or write to:
Monika Campbell, 99 Lawn Avenue Stamford, CT 06902 Tel: 203-353-1448
NOT ALL other source of information IS accurate. For the most current and up to date information contact the above name and phone number. THE CAMPBELL FAMILY WISHES TO THANK ALL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
WHEREVER REGGAE MUSIC is heard, its Lighthearted Mysterious Rastafarian Sound always Evokes an Emotional Reaction...It certainly does for me, At its Deepest Level!!

Beginning with a slow, undulating, hesitant beat, the music of REGGAE assaults the primitive brain stem where emotions originate! Before the brain can decipher the new beat, the driving “TRENCH TOWN RASTAFARIANT” Music captures and transports the listener.

The effect of Reggae is Magic; it is Africa, Jamaica, Soul, Nature, Sorrow, Hate, and Love ~ All mingled together!

It sprang from the Hearts of Africa's Children in "Babylon” ~ Jamaica. It is “Liminal Music”.. (of “Conscious Awareness”.... It is something that cannot be experienced or felt!.. ~ “It is a Black Experience”!) That sings of oppression in exile, a longing for home, or for a place to feel at home.

REGGAE, like its earlier counterpart calypso, quickly became a medium of social commentary as part of the African Cultural Tradition transported to the Caribbean by the “SLAVES”! It still serves as a social safety valve through which oppressed people express their discontent…. Like the music of Africa, the Reggae is for Dancing, but the Lyrics “ELICIT” a variety of responsive emotions... Crying, Rage, and Rejoicing.

As Bob Marley's song, "THEM BELLY FULL" ("But We Hungry)".. The Rastafarian Movement, is a cultic and Messianic Movement of (Love, Peace, Truth and Happiness.. Relating or belonging to an Inspirational Leader... Especially one claiming to be or regarded as a Savior or Liberator) A Movement unique to Jamaica. Its members believe that "HAILE SELASSIE", former "EMPEROR OF ETHIOPIA", is the "Black Messiah" who appeared in the flesh for the redemption of all Blacks Exiled (Enslaved) in the world of “White Oppressors”. The movement views "ETHIOPIA" as the “Promised Land”, the place where Black people will be Repatriated through a wholesale Exodus from all Western Countries where they have been in Exile! (Slaves). Repatriation is inevitable, and the time awaits only the decision of “HAILE SELASSIE"...

"KNOWN ONLY TO THE TRUE BELIEVERS"!!!

The details of the actual departure is "SECRET"! The destination of this "Great Migration" is also vague in the minds of some Speculators. The majority sees "Ethiopia" as their Homeland; others view "Africa" as the "True Homeland".. There is no unanimity about the Destination. To many, Ethiopia means Africa, while to others, Ethiopia is the “Promised Land", though they will settle for any part of the Continent. Reggae is a Cultic Expression that is Entertaining, Revolutionary, and filled with "RASTAFARIAN SYMBOLISM". The Symbols understood in the Jamaican Society, but the real Movement dimension of Reggae was unknown until the Rastafarian Song-Prophet, "BOB MARLEY", made his debut in New York. Marley stamped his personality on Reggae until the sound identified with the Rastafarian Movement. Reggae Music is now a “Cultural Significance" derives from that unique sect whose music is an “Inseparable and Expressive Ingredient”. The Jamaican Rastafarian movement is the largest, most identifiable, Indigenous Movement in Jamaica. As such, it has a Philosophy and Structure capable of providing a rallying point for the masses in search of "Social Change". In the last ten years, the Movement has attracted much attention, not only in this West Indian Island where it originated, but also in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Africa. Although the movement has been in existence since 1930, very little—and that mostly "Sensational" has been written about it. Consequently, the movement in some cases is “Misunderstood” not only in Jamaica, but also in America and Canada, where many members and affiliates have Migrated. Some of the reasons for the Rastafarian's bad publicity in the early days of the Movement may be due to some provocative incidents associated with fringe groups of the Movement. Two incidents worth mentioning are the "Henry Fiasco" of 1960 (which created an Island wide emergency after the shooting of two soldiers of the "Royal Hampshire Regiment" and "Three Rastafarians" under the leadership of Ronald Henry), and the so-called "Holy Thursday Massacre" of April 1963 (in which several Police and Civilians were killed on the North Coast near Montego Bay). Another reason contributing to the negative image of the Rastafarians are the "Dreadlocks” which some people feel they are wild and unattractive. The Rastafarians adopted their dreadlocks during their "Jungle Existence" in the Hill Country where the Movement developed its early characteristics. This dreadlock appearance is the distinguishing mark of the movement. Another trait contributing to the Rastafarian's negative image is their members' use of "ganja" (marijuana) in their "Sacred Rituals". Despite the early adverse publicity of the movement, the negative reaction to the members' hairstyle, and their use of the "weed," for “Sacred Rituals” this Jamaican Movement has evolved into a "Dynamic and Creative Instrument for Social Change".

THE RASTAS ARE ADMIRED BY THE MASSES AND HIGHLY RESPECTED BY POLITICAL LEADERS SUCH AS “MICHAEL MANLEY", WHO DESCRIBED THEM, “BEAUTIFUL AND REMARKABLE PEOPLE” "RASTAFARIANS" ARE "SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHERS".. THE RASTA IS THE “GUARDIAN" OF "REGGAE MUSIC’S TRADITION"

IT'S MESSAGE IS "UNIVERSAL" IT IS TRUE LOVE, PEACE, LIGHT AND DEVOTION!!...ONE LOVE!

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