Year 2023 is ending and the world of reggae was marked by various events that we remember in this brief summary.
Regarding concerts, This year the big shows returned after the pause due to the pandemic and we had the return of great artists, as Steel Pulse, who reunited with his Chilean audience last May after 7 years of absence, in a first class show.
Another who returned after eight years was Damian Marley, that made a packed Caupolicán Theater vibrate in September.
A reggae legend like Max Romeo arrived in the country in November as part of his farewell tour of the stage and his 78 years presented a show with its great classics.
Bahian celebrated with a tour around the country his 60 years and Fidel Nadal He also reunited with his national fans after a few years without playing in Chile due to the pandemic..
Nonpalidece toured four cities in the country in May and alborosie He also made two presentations, one in La Serena and another in Santiago, in some of this year's international shows.
The Expoweed For its part, it brought to Chile Natiruts, Morodo, Dread Mar – I y Ky-Many Marley, and although he had announced Capleton, the “King Shango” will finally be presented in Chile next year.
Other groups with recurring visits repeated this year as The CAFRES Y Prophetic Culture.
Who left us this year
We also remember those who left for Zion this year like the singer Pablo Molina, afflicted by cancer; Reading “Ska” Sterling, founder of The Skatalites; the writer, friend and art director of Bob Marley, Neville Garrick.
Another who left this earthly plane was the “poeta dub”, writer, academic and social fighter Benjamin Zephaniah; the bassist of the legendary Studio One, Earl “bag” Walker; the musician, academic and founder of Third World, Michael “Ibo” Cooper.
He also passed away this year Calton Coffie, vocalist in the years 90 from the Inner Circle group, when this band got their main hits, as “Sweat” O “Bad Boys”, among others; just like the irish singer Sinead O’Connor, who during his life had an intense relationship with reggae.
The premieres of the year in Chile
At the national level we had several album releases, like the EP of Balaguero “Rainbow”; “Animal Ki”, of Tiano Bless, “Midnight and Sleepless Versions” Y “Versions of Mañanita” of José Dolores; “Moved” of Oscar; Y “Turn back” of Gabriel Roots.
This year also saw the release of several debut albums such as “Meli”, the first album of Congo Map; as well as Zuraka Y Jungle Road, who released their self-titled albums.
Bethany Lopez released his third album “River Current”, while Quique Neira He presented his thirteenth album a few weeks ago “The Reguero”.
Other bands that also presented their albums this 2023 were Kelu Reggae, Andes Reggae Andes Reggae All Stars Y Makumba Roots (Raw Reggae).
Another of this year's milestones that went somewhat unnoticed was the Grammy nomination of Collie Buddz with a riddim record Cali Roots Riddim in which he participated Gondwana with the song “Do It Right”, the first song of the Chilean group about a one riddim.
This is how our count ends and we wish all our readers and friends an excellent end to the year and that 2024 be a positive year in all aspects.
