Reggae Rajahs on full swing
15 Jun 2012 5:24 PM GMT
They call themselves the fathers of reggae music in India and are heavily influenced by Bob Marley. Reggae Rajahs are India’s first reggae sound system. They operate with a traditional Jamaican sound system style with one DJ and two MC’s. So who are the Reggae Rajahs? The trio of Diggy Dang, Mr Herbalist and DJ MoCity (Iraq’s first Soundboy) are India’s answer to the heady Jamaican beat.
‘We are reggae entertainers and promoters based out of New Delhi. Common love for reggae music got us to come together in the early 2009. Since then we have been introducing Indian masses to an eclectic mix of roots reggae, dub, lovers rock, ska and dancehall,’ said Zorawar, ideator and MC of Raggae Rajahs.
They frequently perform in New Delhi and have also played in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Goa and Manali. International performances in the last 2 years include Peru, Panama and New York City.
‘We perform at TLR Cafe, Hauz Khas Village every Thursday. The event is called Summer Down which feature variety of reggae music by our guest musicians as well. We have performed with a number of established international artists such as Apache Indian (UK), Mr Williamz (UK), Brother Culture (UK), Soom T (UK), Mungo’s HI Fi (UK), Deadly Dragon Sound System (USA), IllBilly Hitec & Longfingah (Germany), Steppa Style (Russia), Blessed Love Sound System (Germany), Graeme Hamilton (ex-UB40), Supa Bassie & Sargento Garcia (Spain), Subatomic Sound (USA) and Heartical Sound (France),’ Zorawar explained.
Apart from performing at many of the country’s top music venues, the Rajahs have also performed at festivals across the world. ‘Our national level performances include the Holi Cow Festival (Delhi), Escape Festival (Naukuchiatal), Sunburn Festival (Goa) and SulaFest (Nashik). We are set to tour Europe this August, having been invited to play at Outlook Festival (Croatia), Europe’s premier festival celebrating sound system culture and bass heavy music,’ Zorawar said.
He narrated a memorable experience while playing at the Sula Fest at Nashik. ‘We played in front of around 3000-4000 people. It was the most exhilirating moment for us,’ Zorawar shared.
‘We also hosted our own stage show at the Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2011 (Pune) called the Pepsi Dubstation which was a roaring success and introduced thousands of music lovers to dub based sounds,’ added Zorawar.
Reggae Rajahs were recently nominated for the Best International Group award at the British Reggae Industry Awards (2012) alongside illustrious Jamaican artists such as Toots & the Maytals, Mighty Diamonds and Third World. ‘I feel that the Delhi audience has developed an affiliation for reggae music after we introduced it in the circuit. They particularly love the sound of rasvir, an African drum during our performances. We are gearing up to the release of our first single and music video which is dedicated to spreading the positive, conscious message of reggae music across India,’ concluded Zorawar.
DETAILS
At: TLR Cafe, 31 Hauz Khas Village, 2nd floor, New Delhi, India 110016
When: Every Thursday, 9 pm onwards
‘We are reggae entertainers and promoters based out of New Delhi. Common love for reggae music got us to come together in the early 2009. Since then we have been introducing Indian masses to an eclectic mix of roots reggae, dub, lovers rock, ska and dancehall,’ said Zorawar, ideator and MC of Raggae Rajahs.
They frequently perform in New Delhi and have also played in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Goa and Manali. International performances in the last 2 years include Peru, Panama and New York City.
‘We perform at TLR Cafe, Hauz Khas Village every Thursday. The event is called Summer Down which feature variety of reggae music by our guest musicians as well. We have performed with a number of established international artists such as Apache Indian (UK), Mr Williamz (UK), Brother Culture (UK), Soom T (UK), Mungo’s HI Fi (UK), Deadly Dragon Sound System (USA), IllBilly Hitec & Longfingah (Germany), Steppa Style (Russia), Blessed Love Sound System (Germany), Graeme Hamilton (ex-UB40), Supa Bassie & Sargento Garcia (Spain), Subatomic Sound (USA) and Heartical Sound (France),’ Zorawar explained.
Apart from performing at many of the country’s top music venues, the Rajahs have also performed at festivals across the world. ‘Our national level performances include the Holi Cow Festival (Delhi), Escape Festival (Naukuchiatal), Sunburn Festival (Goa) and SulaFest (Nashik). We are set to tour Europe this August, having been invited to play at Outlook Festival (Croatia), Europe’s premier festival celebrating sound system culture and bass heavy music,’ Zorawar said.
He narrated a memorable experience while playing at the Sula Fest at Nashik. ‘We played in front of around 3000-4000 people. It was the most exhilirating moment for us,’ Zorawar shared.
‘We also hosted our own stage show at the Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2011 (Pune) called the Pepsi Dubstation which was a roaring success and introduced thousands of music lovers to dub based sounds,’ added Zorawar.
Reggae Rajahs were recently nominated for the Best International Group award at the British Reggae Industry Awards (2012) alongside illustrious Jamaican artists such as Toots & the Maytals, Mighty Diamonds and Third World. ‘I feel that the Delhi audience has developed an affiliation for reggae music after we introduced it in the circuit. They particularly love the sound of rasvir, an African drum during our performances. We are gearing up to the release of our first single and music video which is dedicated to spreading the positive, conscious message of reggae music across India,’ concluded Zorawar.
DETAILS
At: TLR Cafe, 31 Hauz Khas Village, 2nd floor, New Delhi, India 110016
When: Every Thursday, 9 pm onwards
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