SOUND REBEL DEM - DUB ROOTS CULTURE
Needless to say, Reggae has never overshadowed the influence of the Blues - neither at home nor abroad. Still Reggae Music and Memphis have an interesting and personal history to the people of this USA river town. It's hard to say when Reggae first landed in the bluff city, but by all accounts Memphis' volunteer radio station WEVL played the role of reggae ambassador.
As home of the Blues, Memphis has a long and proud musical heritage. Though there are elements of Memphis culture that remain stagnant and destined to fade, there are those in the city who remain open to outside influence, to growth, and revitalization. In the South, where Racism is deeply rooted, many have lost hope, or cannot imagine a better world. There are those who believe that the status quo is the way things are and ever shall be.
Reggae came to this town, where black people had been traded by villians and the children of villains. There are those in Memphis who still remember the days of slavery - and there are those who once owned slaves. The children of slaves and the children of slave traders still walk these streets over 150 years after federal abolishion. The social effects and the conscious effects are barely understood by the masses. The troubled world and the troubled lives are a confusion, and confounding to all.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey arose from a similar culture in the early 20th century with a message to black people. An Orator, a leader, and a poet, Mr Garvey wrote:
"Let no trouble worry you;
Keep cool, keep cool!
Don't get hot like some folk do,
Keep cool, keep cool!
What's the use of prancing high
While the world goes smiling by.
You can win if you would try,
Keep cool, keep cool."
and
"In each and every one is God,
In everything atomic life;
There is no death beneath the sod,
This fact, not knowing, brings the strife."
Words such as these are timeless and wise. No less today in Memphis, TN where Reggae Groups such as The Queens of Zion and River Zion, The Soul Enforcers and Sound Rebel Dem take up the cause to bring Word Sound and Power to the people of Memphis Tennesee. Sound Rebel Dem's Azarael has been writing since a young age, finding in the word an outlet for the things he sees in Memphis: deceit, suffering, discord. Yet even in these treacherous times, there is hope. Springing from the Word and Power of Rastafari, the truth of life. All things are living and attaching oneself to life is a righteous act - enlightening, producing more life and banishing death unto darkness. Life, the opposite of the void, is coming to Memphis to rescue all people.
The Rasta movement is not just about Reggae, and Memphis Reggae is not just about Memphis - this is a global thing, but this is a local place. Memphis is the home of Reggae Band Sound Rebel Dem and we have taken upon our shoulders the colors, carrying the message of Marcus Mosiah Garvey "In each and every one is God". Memphis, here is your message, with a Reggae Sound.
