Iconic Reggae Artist Comes Full Circle as He Brings Together Veteran and Contemporary Acts
On June 3rd, legendary reggae artist Junior Reid will celebrate his 60th birthday with the One Blood Family Fest at Plantation Cove in St Ann, Jamaica. The event’s name pays tribute to Reid’s iconic 1989 anti-violence song “One Blood,” which remains a powerful symbol of unity and harmony.
The One Blood Family Fest boasts an impressive lineup that includes both veteran and contemporary roots artists such as Fred Locks, Cedric Myton of The Congos, Winston McAnuff, Jahmiel, I Wayne, Warrior King, Kiddus-I, Big Youth, and Chezidek. According to Reid, the diverse roster represents his vision of One Blood, promoting love, unity, and family values in the Jamaican music scene.
“A lot of times, a lot of shows happen and there’s violence and all kinds of things going on because it doesn’t come under a family order. That’s why we have to bring this order for love and unity, so no fighting happens. You have to have these people together because the elders can teach the youths and the elders can learn from the youths in the same way,” Reid told the Jamaica Observer.
Born in Waterhouse, Jamaica, Junior Reid has been heavily influenced by roots singers such as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Fred Locks. Throughout his career, he’s had the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with numerous influential musicians, including Augustus Pablo, Sugar Minott, and Hugh Mundell.
Reid’s discography spans from his early work in the late 1970s to his time as a member of Black Uhuru in the mid-1980s, and his successful solo career. With hits like “Boom-Shacka-Lack,” “Babylon Release The Chains,” “Original Foreign Mind,” and “One Blood,” Reid has left an indelible mark on the reggae and dancehall scenes, even inspiring a new generation of artists in both genres.
His song “One Blood” has been sampled by hip-hop acts such as Wu-Tang Clan and The Game, with Reid even making an appearance on The Game’s 2006 hit “It’s Okay (One Blood).”
As Junior Reid celebrates his milestone birthday with the One Blood Family Fest, he continues to emphasize the importance of unity, love, and collaboration in music, bringing together different generations and styles of Jamaican artists for a unique and unforgettable event.