Obama Barack Fever Heats Up Reggae

With the world throwing its weight behind US presidential hopeful Barack Obama, his afro-ethnicity has drawn the admiration of musicians worldwide and most specifically in the Caribbean and Africa.

Roots Reggae protégé’ Tarrus Riley, widely known for the chart-topping debut “She’s Royal”, is noted as one of the first reggae artists to plug the Obama brand within the reggae fraternity.

Roots Dancehall veteran, Coco Tea served up a sip of sound and solidarity in his aptly titled single “Barack Obama”, quickly becoming a staple play on local and international airwaves, and adding steam to his multi-decade career in the process.

Dancehall sensation Mavado took a moment from the gully side to pay homage in “We Need Barack”, a sliced remake of his monster track “On The Rock”.

Upcoming dancehall starlight Tryical, dropped his dime on a racy dancehall riddim to record the single “De President”, while Reggae royalties Stephen and Damian Marley have seen their 2008 hit single “The Mission” scooped up for soundtrack duties on a myriad of unofficial Obama campaign videos on Youtube.

In the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Calypso Legend The Mighty Sparrow, endorsed the Barack Brand with his classic release “Barack The magnificent”, and took it one step further by presenting a copy of the single personally to Barack in a highly publicized press conference in New York earlier this year, further affirming the support of the Caribbean Diaspora behind the Kenyan blooded American.

A hop, skip and a jump from Jamaica the Reggaeton rage in Puerto Rico has not been without its Barack Branded singles. Don Omar has pressed his piece entitled “Como Se Dice”, a take from the Miguel Orozco salsa flavored pledge.

From the African heartland in Ghana the dancehall induced, crunk based production by local homeboy Blakk Rasta plugs the Obama Brand in the single “Barack Obama Crunk” a dub poem giving a serious swing to challenges facing the democratic candidate.

Simply a noted few that have floated above the barrage of Obama branded songs to hit international airwaves since his victory over Hillary Clinton last May.

With the US presidential elections looming in the wind, the sensation which swept a nation has now become an inspiration for the entire African Diaspora. Though their vote may not count on his day of reckoning, Barack Obama can be rest assured, he is well supported in song, soul and sound.

The Reggae News Agency

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