Pioneers of dancehall 80 Cocoa Tea, Yellowman, Johnny Osbourne y Sly and Robbie, among others, They are part of the poster of the historic edition 2018 of the festival, which will develop from 16 al 22 August in Benicasim (Spain).
Everything ready and willing. Benicasim - Valencian community, province of Castellón- prepares to welcome thousands of Reggae lovers from Europe and the world at the Rototom Sunsplash, that in his 25 anniversary will feature high-caliber premieres and a powerful contingent of artists of all time who will arrive from Jamaica to the most important Reggae stage on the European continent and one of the most renowned in the world..
The American genius Ben Harper, los neozelandeses Fat Freddy’s Drop, the Jamaican triangle Protoje-Jimmy Cliff-Tarrus Riley, the references of Spanish reggae Morodo and Green Valley, in addition to the special Alborosie concert, They are part of this macro date.
The poster of 25 Rototom Sunsplash anniversary incorporates The Mighty Diamonds (22 of August), one of the groups with the longest history of roots reggae. After appearing on the scene in the Channel One studio in the mid-1990s 70 with the new success “Right Time”, The soul trio continued to produce hits in the 80, among which is the classic “Pass the Kutchie” engraved on the “Full Up Rhythm”.
Some of The Mighty Diamonds' early hits would come from drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare., later known as Sly & Robbie. This producer duo behind the successful label Taxi (under which artists like Shaggy have worked, Bob Dylan o Grace Jones) will bring this year to Benicasim (17 of August) the Taxi Connection, a special star-studded show. to the microphone, the iconic DJ King Yellowman with The Riddim Twins, in an exclusive performance for Rototom. Also included in this Connection will be the godfather of dancehall Johnny Osbourne, and angel-voiced British rocksteady singer Bitty Mclean, on tour with their new album produced by Sly and Robbie, whose launch is scheduled for April.
Coming from the glorious decade of the 80, como Sly and Robbie, the public will be able to listen to the first day of the festival, the 16 of August, the big voice of the Clarendon-raised melodic dancehall singer (Jamaica) Cocoa Tea. His versatility on stage, interspersing his own songs with other classics at will, They have turned him into a solid artist.
Roots reggae and dancehall would never have existed without ska, the cornerstone in the development of Jamaican music in the second half of the 20th century and the island's first internationally recognized musical style. Representing this style will be the legends of The Skatalites, precursors and banners of this energetic and positive rhythm, whose development coincided with the independence of Jamaica. Still touring today, these ska masters will bring the 18 August his own show at the 25th Rototom, in which they will have the participation of their already well-known vocal partner Doreen Shaffer, and the exclusive appearance of another of the ska representatives, the immortal Derrick Morgan and the Jamaican trumpeter Vin Gordon.
Bob Marley's spirit lives on in his children's music, and this year the festival welcomes Julian Marley. The enigmatic and deeply spiritual son of legend will perform for the first time in Benicasim, the next 16 of August. Only Marley of English origin, Julian imbues his music with a unique Roots flavor that appeals to Reggae fans of all ages..
The 25 years of history of this event have managed to unite more than 3,2 million people from the five continents throughout its different editions, the equivalent of the population of Madrid or Berlin, and has seen more than 2.300 artists. The first quarter of a century for this contest that was born in a nightclub in the town of Gaio de Spilimbergo, north of Italy, in 1994, place where reggae coexisted with rock or punk; Ramones and Massive Attack with Fela Kuti, Yellowman or Burning Spear -whose concert years later, in 2003, It still remains in the retina of many due to its intensity..
Chileans also passed through here. Bands like Kitra, Aflora, Maxi Vargas, Tiano Bless and Gondwana have been representatives of Reggae from this corner of the world on that great stage, which in its anniversary edition 25 only consider Alika -from Argentina- at the South American level.
