Toots & The Maytals, Barrington Levy, Julian Marley & The Uprising, Protoje & The Indiggnation and Natiruts lead the way, in this experienced and intercontinental, first wave of confirmations for Rototom Sunsplash 2020.
So far roster offers up 23 artists that endorse the organiser’s commitment to combining styles from different parts of the planet and continues to strengthen our eclectic community around the Jamaican genre. Toots & The Maytals, Barrington Levy, Julian Marley with The Uprising, Protoje & The Indiggnation and Natiruts lead this experienced, and intercontinental, first line-up announcement.
From Jamaica to Cuba, Brazil, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, France and Spain. From Roots to Ska, Dancehall and Rap. It all adds up. The Rototom Sunsplash 2020 is ready for lift off: From the 16th to the 22nd of August, 2020, with the theme, We can change the world. We’ll be waiting for you in Benicassim.
Veterans, young promises and legends, with Jamaica in their hearts, shape the line-up with which the macro festival begins to prepare its 27th edition. The legends of the Caribbean island Toots & The Maytals, will without doubt be one of the highlights of Rototom 2020. The Jamaican and forerunner of dancehall, Barrington Levy, joins the cast with his unmistakable voice and style; as does Julian Marley (along with The Uprising), son of Jamaican legend Bob Marley, whose ability to instil a unique ‘roots’ flavour in his music attracts reggae fans of all ages.
Adding to this first wave of Jamaican artists is Protoje, one of the founding fathers of the ‘Reggae Revival’, will bring to the Rototom his characteristic style of scathing lyrics on relating to social issues and Rastafari themes together with his band The Indiggnation. The circle is closed by the Jamaican acoustic reggae collective Inna de Yard formed by Winston McAnuff, Keith & Tex, Kiddus I, Var (Pentateuch), Steve Newland (Rootz Underground) and Kush (Uprising Roots); and the mystical voice of Clinton Fearon (ex-singer of Gladiators), who has just celebrated his 50 years in music.
The first intercontinental jump in the 2020 line-up is marked by Brazil, and Natiruts the best known home grown reggae band in the country. Their latest work, I Love (2018) adds special collaborations of legends such as that of the Jamaican Morgan Heritage and the godfather of Brazilian popular music Gilberto Gil. 2020 will be their debut in Benicàssim.
The wealth of provenances that fuels the line-up extends its reach with the French reggae singer born in Martinique Yaniss Odua, a true star on his Caribbean island and also in France, returning to Benicàssim with his powerful presence alongside Artikal Band; and with Nattali Rize from Australia, who has a new album coming out next May after her successful debut album: Rebel Frequency (2017). Adding further flavour will be La Dame Blanche, the project of the Cuban singer, flutist and percussionist Yaite Ramos, heiress of the oratories of Afro-Cuban rumba.
Spanish reggae lands in the Rototom Sunsplash 2020 with Morodo, an experienced figure on the national scene with over 20-year’s on the boards, will bring it alongside his band, Okumé Lions; also performing will be the group from Aragon Jahsta, celebrating their 25th anniversary, accompanied by Conscious Vibes Band and its cocktail of Reggae with Dancehall and Rap roots.
From The UK, the London Ska and Reggae band The Dualers joins this 27th anniversary. Also from the British Isles comes the singer of Jamaican descent Carrol Thompson; Dub, Reggae, Ska and soul artist Captain Accident, direct from Cardiff, and another reference of Ska Mark Foggo.
The American scene will be represented by the Massachusetts reggae-rock quartet Soul Rebel Project. They are also joined in the line-up by versatile Jamaican American vocalist Mighty Mystic.
Meanwhile, the line-up takes another musical leap to Europe, with the inclusion of the Milanese trombonist Mr T-Bone, one of the leading protagonists of the contemporary international Ska and Reggae scene.
This broad range of confirmations brings new names from Jamaica, such as the talented reggae singer Droop Lion, who has already visited the festival as the voice of the legendary Gladiators (protagonists of the golden era of the Jamaican roots), and the young artist SumeRR, who will present her sweet yet powerful Reggae vibes with mature flavour next to the Canarian One Xe Band.
Finally, from the sound system circuit of Ska music and ‘Oldies’ come the Japanese Rock a Shacka ft Masa & Ash and the mc from Tighten Up Crew, Champian.
Source: Rototom