Discovering Jamaica’s musical influence on Beijing

This Olympic period, Jamaica provides much in terms of entertainment, both in athletics and music. Many of the fastest in the world, along with musicians like Sean Paul and Julian Marley, will be performing in Beijing during the Olympics. So how has Beijing taken to Jamaica’s most recognizable export, reggae music?

"When we started doing Upstepper gigs in the summer of 2005 there wasn’t really a reggae scene at all in Beijing," reveals Damon Lee Perry of Upstepper Sound, China's longest running reggae soundsystem, of which I am also part. "Upstepper, including DJs Mael and Steve Barker, has been instrumental to the growing interest in reggae music in Beijing over the last three years."

The “Grandaddy of Dub,” Steve Barker, is host of the longest running BBC radio show, On the Wire, and a regular DJ with Upstepper Sound. Steve has been involved for more than 30 years with reggae and legends like Lee Perry and Augustus Pablo, among others. “There’ve been a few sparks, but what would be good is a Chinese female vocalist or two and more hip-hop MCs to cross over to reggae,” Barker tells us.

Reggae lyrics in Chinese are key to the scene's growth, as Oscar Chirizzi of Mei Wenti Sound explains, "Much of the message of reggae culture is in lyrics, so as most reggae is sung in English, only part of the message may be getting through."

Beijing's MC Webber admits, "I don't understand the lyrics, but I feel the energy and message and the way the vocalist interacts with the rhythm, which makes me want to create a similar vibe rhyming and singing in Chinese."

Visitors and locals can check out the cream of Beijing's reggae crop on Aug. 23rd at The Boat, with Upstepper Sound, MC Webber and Mei Wenti Sound. With the Jamaican sprinters vying for the Gold earlier that day, this promises to be a celebration of the best in Jamaican athletics and music.

Dan Stephenson