Today marks the official launch date of International Reggae Day (IRD).
This year, the celebrations – under the theme “1 Love” – returns to the roots of the genre and the central message of Reggae music, a principle first articulated by Marcus Garvey, contextualized by Rastafarian philosophy, and iconized in Bob Marley’s music.
The launch is supported by VP Records and can be seen on VP’s YouTube channel beginning at 1:30pm EST and on www.ireggaeday.com.
Against the backdrop of the Jamaican flag, Jamaican music and culture will be front and center on Thursday July 1st which is the internationally recognized date for International Reggae Day.
Chromatic Sound from Jamaica and Kevin Crown from New York will be on hand to perform live juggling sets in a DJ-Relay which punctuates programming for media and lovers of Jamaican music who will be tuned in from around the world.
In a prepared statement, organizers said: “IRD’s goal is to amplify recognition of the outsized influence of Jamaica and its music genres on cultural expression around the globe. Each year on JulyOne IRD centers activities around a theme focused on a key aspect of Jamaica’s rich music legacy.”
Specifics of the alliances forged with the Bob Marley Group, VP Records and the Garvey Institute as well as with North American digital firm Kudoboards among other key local and International partners, will be shared with participants in the virtual launch.
In addition to the various activations in which Media and Reggae fans can take part, details about this year’s virtual broadcast event and a synchronized 1 Love Pull Up call to action online and on air for media and fans around the world at 12:05PM Jamaica time will also be shared. From Jamaica to the Gambia and China to North and South American content partners, plans are in place for a major experience on JulyOne.
