adminUrban Beats with Nkosilathi Sibanda
WHO can dispute that urban youths are turning the city into a little Jamaica. Years back there was a glint of Soweto culture in Bulawayo, but it is slowly fading away. To call Bulawayo’s streets “Jamaica Town” is most appropriate.
From fashion trends, language and the music, young people are exploring Jamaican culture.
Part of the city is for South African music but a greater portion of the populace has turned to Caribbean beats.
Anyone with a different view is out of touch with reality. It is either they are too old or live where music is taboo.
It is not only in Bulawayo. All over the country, young people are listening to reggae beats. Mbare, Harare’s oldest location, counts among many ghettos where reggae and dancehall music command crowds.
You just have to see how Winky D’s shows pull crowds. It is the music! Most radio hit lists are reggae rhythms.
Listen to StarFM’s reggae show on Wednesdays, every young urbanite tunes in.
The radio programme can win listeners’ choice award in any country!
Local musicians have fallen for the Rasta culture and many of them will admit being influenced by reggae musicians.
Thomas Mapfumo is a close example. There are many local dancehall artistes coming up from the cities. It is not only Winky D and Templeman. Some are still trying to find ground.
Here is the issue. The generation born in the 1990s and the millennium babies are fanatics of all things Jamaican. Slowly, this pack of youngsters has a new way of life.
Parents feel their children are confused. Why are they listening to reggae out of a thousand playlists? There is no confusion. We are just seeing the growth of a global youth culture.
Other music types had their time, now it is the Jamaican style.
Do not fret. Complaints were there even when hip hop music influenced teenagers. Now reggae and dancehall music is filling up space.
Olova, our unemployed brothers, also jostle to download the best of reggae music.
People hardly do the traditional handshakes. They bump each other’s fists. This is a Jamaican norm that was popularised by reggae musicians. Thanks to the TV, we saw it and made it our own.
Call it reggae or ragga, this genre is invading the space. Hip hop artistes are fading while reggae musos are recording daily.
I will give a name to the sudden popularity of Jamaican music lifestyle. Would it not be apt to say the Rasta culture has taken over the streets? The Rasta movement went viral because of the musicians.
Yep, no one can deny this. Ask your toddlers, they know about Bob Nesta Marley. Even the old folks now enjoy reggae. Your mother knows the beat of reggae. She grew up listening to it. That loud preacher at church knows a reggae song or two.
My historian friend says almost every house had a reggae vinyl at independence. Freedom fighters played reggae for inspiration.
Do not be fooled to be told not to listen to reggae. This music liberated Africa. It gave freedom so that you are able to read and take part in such conversations.
Politicians, nurses and lawyers are part of the multitude of reggae fans. Young people are not crazy they are listening to what everyone else glues their ears to. President Mugabe probably enjoys reggae because he invited Bob Marley to sing at the big bash on the eve of our Independence in 1980.
Sizzla entertained guests at one of President Mugabe’s birthday parties. Since then, many Jamaican artistes have performed in Zimbabwe.
Why a reggae artiste? Zimbabweans owe a lot to the Caribbean musicians for giving hope at a time when colonialists shamed African pride.
Songs that championed righteousness, love, human rights, justice and self determination were churned out by reggae musicians. Even now the music remains a vital tool in the struggle against imperialism.
Let the children listen to reggae. They will learn how to live and appreciate being African.
Not only is there a liking for the music, people are following Jamaican fashion trends too.
Most people now enjoy dreadlocks but it’s unfortunate a few others want to call dreadlocked people names.
One looks cool putting on the black, white, green, red and yellow apparel. In street language these are Rasta colours. We all remember the colour blocking craze.
Jamaicans had that fashion trend long before designers marketed the style.
T-shirts have Bob Marley’s face and young people buy them without a blink. Anything close to reggae is a sellout.
It took a clever designer to put reggae musicians’ style to the shop. Jamaican fashion and reggae music are just too popular. I laughed at my grandmother when she wanted her hair twisted. It sounded odd. Later I learned she was a big fan of Peter Tosh.
Young people are associating themselves with reggae music and its culture because it represents more than being African.
The same encouraging message that influenced freedom fighters in Africa is finding a meaning among ghetto youths in despair.
In the wake of joblessness, HIV and corruption, it takes music such as reggae to change people’s perception for the better.
Of course there are musicians in other genres doing the same, but reggae does it better?
Reggae tells of African stories in ways that other genres cannot. The few that do not understand the power of reggae should ask the elders. After doing so, they must watch how young people are influenced by the culture.
So many musicians, some genuine and others trying to make a mark, have been influenced by Jamaican artistes.
Promoters should take advantage of reggae popularity in the same way fashion designers have done.
If you still doubt the sudden influence of reggae, please share this thought with a neighbour. You will learn of vibrant youth culture.
The fact is bare for all: Rasta is in fashion.
Online Reporter