REGGAE & POLITICS In the 1970s

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In 1972,  Michael 'Joshua" Manley was elected Prime Minister of Jamaica. Most artists sided with him and his progressive programms. He promised that "better would come" for the "sufferers", and he used reggae songs during his campaign such as Beat Down Babylon (Junior Byles) or Let The Power For For I (Max Romeo). His party, the PNP, even set up an incredible tour with the most successful artists of the time, including Bob Marley and the Wailers! The PNP Bandwagon.

But Manley's opponents from the JLP decided to destabilize his administration by any means necessary, including violence. Thus were born the infamous "tribal wars" that reggae lovers so often hear about in their favourite songs. Everything became political in Jamaica, and many songs have a hidden meaning.

As reggae artists expressed their  opinions on records, violence got out of hand in the streets, and Kingston became Kill-some City. Even Bob Marley, who granted Michael Manley a few "favours" became the target of the gunmen. In 1976, he was almost assassinated in Jamaica.

This books explores eight years of blood, sweat and tears, that drove Jamaica to a dead-end - and the country still struggles to get out of it today.

Politics in Jamaica? The root of all evil...

Size: A5 / 204 pages / Illustrations / French Import