More Artists Announced for Wilkswood Reggae 2024
General Levy + Joe Ariwa
Amarra + Askala Selassie + Robotiks
Shniece + Run Come Down
New year, new buzz as more acts are announced for this year’s Wilkswood Reggae Festival 2024. The Incredible General Levy takes to the main stage accompanied by whizz kid producer Joe Ariwa for some junglist mash-ups. Amarra and Askala Selassie bring it for the girls in an Ariwa Sounds Showcase backed by the Robotiks live band. And be ready to have your mind expanded by Shniece as she fronts a super heavyweight set from Bristol reggae four-piece Run Come Down.
General Levy
General Levy has been working in the UK ragga and jungle scene for over two decades and is almost certainly best know for his signature Junglist Massive vocals for M-Beat’s ‘Incredible’ in 1994. His signature high velocity staccato style was the sound of the summer and of a scene for a while in the mid-90s but the General has never really seemed to go out of fashion and he is still one of the most in demand MC’s in the country. As well as a successful solo recording and performing career, he has collaborated with Sly & Robbie, Desmond Dekker, Mark Morrison and Suggs. He has collaborated in the studio with his Saturday co-headliner, most notably on the 2012 album In the Chamber of Dub. This will be his second visit to Wilkswood Reggae Festival alongside his long time collaborator Joe Ariwa.
Joe Ariwa
Joe Ariwa learnt his trade from a very early age at the knee of his producer father, Mad Professor, and is now a stable artist on the Ariwa Studio roster. Growing up in and around the Ariwa studio in south east London, Joe was able to master the mixing ask and experiment with production and dubbing techniques. By 2006 he had became Mad Professor’s right hand man on and off the stage and his fresh style of dubbing led to well established Sound Systems such as Iration Steppas, Channel One, Jah Youth and Jah Sufferer Sound requesting exclusive dub mixes.
Joe has released a number of recordings, often in collaboration, but all with his own exclusive style of sonic soundscapes. Latest singles include Rise and Shine recorded with Askala Selassie and the Ariwa Posse, SUSU with Redhead QI and the Tuff Like Iron collaboration with I Jah.
Amarra
The exotic and sultry sound of Amarra will take to the main stage as part of an Ariwa showcase at this year’s Wilkswoos Reggae Festival. Alongside Askala Selassie and backed by the Robotiks, expect some silky smooth lover’s rock. Singles When you Get Right Down To It, a cover of the classic DelFonics track, and African Queen, a fresh new take on the ‘Bam Bam’ riddim, will no doubt get a live airing.
Askala Selassie
Warrior Empress Askala Selassie has taken the reggae world by storm, with her pure vocals, heartfelt song writing and captivating smile. Born in 1984 to rhythm of Jamaica with reggae music firmly at the core of her upbringing. In 2005 she was recruited after a live show to tour with the original Wailers band at the age of 21 and still holds the title as the youngest Wailing sister.
Askala then worked very closely with Karl Toppin, one of the tour engineers for the Wailers, also known as K Big Neck from Big Neck Productions, releasing her seven-track debut EP Put Jah First in 2014 followed by album Faithful & True. Askala has since recorded, performed and shared the stage with some of reggae finest from, Sugar Minott, Etana, Chronixx, Rita Marley, Curtis Lynch, Dennis Bovel, Warrior King, Luciano, Queen Ifrika, Tony Rebel, Beres Hammond, Rita Marley and Tarrus Riley. She is now an intrinsic member of the Ariwa Sounds label and will be appearing at Wilkswood Reggae festival with stable-mates, Amarra and Robotiks.
Robotiks
The Robotiks are best known for being Mad Professor’s ‘house band’ and they have performed with the maverick producer both live and in the studio. Centered around guitarist and vocalist Errol Nicholson (aka Black Steel), Robotiks have provided back-up for U-Roy, Horace Andy, Alton Ellis, Lee Perry, Macka B, Pato Banton, Aisha and Ranking Ann.
The band have released three albums in their own right, Man & Machine (1985), My Computer Is Acting Strange (1986) and Black Steel: Lion In the Jungle (1996), as well as backing on several albums. While the lineup within the band has fluctuated over the years, this year’s performance at Wilkswood Reggae 2024 will feature a number of key original members and Robotiks will be versatile backing to stable mates Amarra and Askala Selassie.
Shniece
A singer/songwriter and an accomplished performer, Shniece McMenamin started out singing in an 8 piece band called the Drizabone Soul Family touring for almost 10 Years, supporting the likes of Chaka Kahn, Chic & Nile Rodgers, Sister Sledge, Jocelyn Brown, Candi Staton, Aswad and Eliza Doolittle.
As a session vocalist & live performer, singing both lead and backing vocals, Shniece has worked with the likes of Prince Fatty, Monkey Jhayam (Brazil), Fatlip (Pharcyde) Mungos HiFi, Shirley Jones (The Jones Girls), Omar, Earl 16, The Last Poets, David Morales, and has toured Brazil with Prince Fatty and Monkey Jhayam.
Shniece released her first debut EP ‘Disco Deception’ with Prince Fatty in June of 2020, then released singles ‘Funkin’ For Jamaica (NY)’ and ‘Black Rabbit’, receiving plays on the Craig Charles, Huey Morgan, Don Letts and David Rodigan shows. Shniece performed one of the standout sets of Wikswood Reggae, closing the festival in 2022 with Prince Fatty who she also appeared with at the Carnival in the Barn mini festival in 2021.
Run Come Down
Based in Bristol, Run Come Down’ are a four-piece, live reggae act featuring some of the finest musicians in the South West. Founded in July 2019, RCD have managed to recreate the authentic sounds of the British reggae scene, bringing you originals which capture that classic vintage sound with a newer modern perspective.
Run Come Down’s music takes cues from illustrious reggae performers like Bob Marley and Burning Spear, and transports listeners to a world of warmth, happiness, and social conscience. Important themes like love, solidarity, and the hardships experienced by marginalised populations are explored in their lyrics.
RCD wants to promote messages of hope and resiliency through their music in order to encourage and inspire listeners. They have forged a powerful live experience with Shniece so expect a sweet, sweet set at Wilkswood Reggae Festival 2024
