Junior
Reid got his inspiration from a tough upbringing in
Kingston's notorious Waterhouse district, where he recorded his first single, "Know Myself." "Boom Shacka Lacka" was Reid's first UK hit
and led to an offer to replace Michael Rose as Black Uhuru's lead vocalist. The collaboration on his first Black Uhuru album, Brutal, resulted in a Grammy nomination. Recently, he performed
alongside Alicia Keys at the American Music Awards, was featured on a remix of
her single, "No One," and recorded "Ghetto Youths Rock" with Lil
Wayne. With his incisive, prophetic lyrics and unstinting support for the
ghetto-man cause, Junior "One Blood" Reid remains a powerful roots artist.
Tanya
Stephens, the quintessential Jamaican singer/songwriter, is equally adept at blazing the latest dancehall riddims as she is at blessing an acoustic guitar-driven ballad with lyrics that are insightful, relevant, comical, and often scathing. On Gangsta Blues in 2004, Tanya Stephens displayed her wit and musical sensibilities, and then again in 2006 on Rebelution. Her audience widened beyond the typical dancehall/reggae fan base as a slew of converts gravitated toward the straightforward style of her music. With two back-to-back classic albums under her belt, Tanya now feels she is ready to raise the bar higher as she prepares to release her next album, Infallible.
Frankie Paul, hailed as one of Jamaica's
biggest and best-loved dancehall stars, has been making hits for over
15 years. His prolific and charismatic style carried him across the
globe spreading his fame throughout the Caribbean, UK, Europe, and
Japan. At the age of 15, he debuted with, "African Princess," recorded
at Tuff Gong Studios, and took the reggae market by storm with a string
of hits, including "Kushumpeng," "Tidal Wave," "Alesha," "Cassanova,"
and "Slow Down." Frankie Paul has gained countless merits for both his
recordings and his live performances, and we are thrilled to have him
join us on the Bayfront stage.
ankie Paul
International
Reggae All-Stars(IRAS) formed to give tribute to Bob Marley's
incomparable legacy of compelling music and positive vibes. Fifteen years
later, IRAS is a major presence in the Minneapolis reggae scene, and throughout
the Midwest. The band's name hints at its international origins, which include
Jamaica, Trinidad, Venezuela, and the U.S. Smooth, soulful vocals by Lynval "Golden
Voice" Jackson, backed by a solid reggae riddim, provide an inspirational
message--and a good time--wherever they go.
Uprisinghas been wowing crowds with
its high-energy blend of reggae, rock, soca, and ska. Hailing from Jamaica,
lead vocalist, Dexter Baxter, captures the energy of Caribbean music. Andrew
Perfetti's guitar solos are crowd stopping,
fusing reggae with his love for blues and rock. Tal Lindblad (bass), Tom
Weinmann (drums), and Janna Dreher (keyboards) keep the groove moving, while
Kate Olaf's backup vocals create the harmonies that add spice and sweetness to
this hard-driving band.
Prince Paul began
his career in hometown, Montego Bay, Jamaica, where his talent was fostered by
local musicians. He has performed throughout the U.S. and Jamaica, and has
shared the stage with such artists as Joseph Hill and Culture, the Itals, the
Meditation's, Sister Carol, and Third World. Now calling Duluth home, his
group’s positive vibes and good nature entice you to sway to the sound of sweet
reggae music. Prince Paul and The
Conscious Party combines conscious lyrics with rootsy reggae that is sure
to groove your soul.
Sound of Fujunhas been bringing the hottest,
newest music to the Twin Cities since 2003. The first Caribbean DJ from
Minnesota to go global, Fujun broadcasts to more than 74,000 avid fans via podcast
(soundoffujun.podomatic.com). The
spelling "fujun" comes from his Trinidadian roots, spelled as it is pronounced
back home. As the name implies, his ability to fuse music--dancehall, hip hop,
reggae, soca--keeps the vibe fresh and fans wanting more. Sound of Fujun
performs live throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. For upcoming events, check
www.myspace.com/soundoffujun.
Bayfront Reggae Festival
emcee, Tony Paul, came to Minneapolis from Trinidad in the late '70s and was
an original member of the Twin Cities' groundbreaking band, Shangoya. Tony is the inveterate host of
KFAI's Shake & Bake Show, a popular "Monday afternoon smorgasbord of international music." When he's not at KFAI,
Tony plays percussion with the International
Reggae All-Stars, and works with The Children's Theater Company of
Minneapolis--North America's flagship theatre for young people.
Sharing emcee duties this
year is Uprising's lead singer, Dexter Baxter, from Westmoreland, Jamaica. Dexter received a degree in music
performance and theatre from the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing
Arts. He loves the process of creating music and the thrill of performance,
which fuels his passion for reggae, soca, and other Caribbean rhythms. Dexter
is proud to share the festival stage with reggae's stars, who bring a positive
reflection on Caribbean culture.
copyright 2010, Bayfront Reggae Festival, LLC. All rights reserved.
