From early in the decade, Trinidad and Tobago has held a strong presence in the reggae industry with artists such as Jamelody, Isasha, Million Voice, Prophet Benjamin and Marlon Asher stepping heavy onto the scene.
Whether in be in the uptown club vibe, the downtown mellow party scene, or the quarterly reggae sound system gathering, Trinidad and Tobago has a heavy vibe for roots reggae.
With musical influences such as Steel Pulse, Toots and Bob Marley, Sizzla and Buju Banton these young men have emerged from various locations throughout the island, singing songs of love, liberation and without much neglect, the smoking of marijuana. Finding solice as well as spirituality through their song.
Jamelody has gotten a positive response from the Trinidadian audience and is seeking to establish himself on the international front. Well respected in Trinidad, his crowd response differs from the likes of Jamaican reggae lovers.
Isasha, the Trinidadian reggae song-writer and performer has always viewed conscious reggae music as nothing new, but always a means for the youth to express positivity.
Million Voice, writer and performer of the roots reggae song One Family shares similar opinions on the subject of young Trinidadians expressing their frustration and outlooks. As brothers, Isasha and Million Voice share the stage in unifying Trinidadian youths and covering topics such as poverty, crime, love and solution to retribution.
Prophet Benjamin seeks out more of a dubbed reggae style of music, and has shared the stage with all of the above mentioned. Like many other emerging artists, Prophet Benjamin has indeed begun to put Trinidad on the map for reggae music.
However, Marlon Asher has begun the trend of Trinidadian reggae musicians with his hit, “Ganja Planter”. This tune is guaranteed to flow heavy vibes into any crowd, as most youths in the audience just smile and dance to the music. Trinidad is known for marijuana cultivation, and this song not only appeals to marijuana smokers, but also to the struggling youths who seek cultivating as well as selling the herb.
Regardless of age and ethnicity, Trinidad and Tobago seeks to develop is reggae talent. However, most of the emerging musicians have agreed that the reggae and conscience style was always a way of life in Trinidad- it is one of the many things that unify different cultures on this island of multifarious ethnicity.
Written by Jamie Jaggernauth.
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