With a rock-steady beat, Mikey Dread has been paving the way for
reggae music in mainstream culture since the mid-1970s. For those
whose sound systems are unaccustomed to this music genre outside of
Bob Marley’s “Legend,” Dread may be best known
for his production and performance involvement in The Clash’s
legendary punk rock albums “Sandinista” and
“Black Market Clash.”
As an experienced vocalist, performer, producer, DJ, TV host and
radio broadcaster, Dread’s contribution to reggae music has
been crucial in developing the genre’s worldwide
recognition. His extensive knowledge in media production has
enabled him to further his cause. He comes to Westwood Plaza today
at 10:30 a.m. for an exclusive performance.
“My goal is to push the music (reggae) to the highest
intellectual and spiritual level that I can actually take it in my
lifetime, so I’ve tried to learn many different aspects of
the music,” Dread said.
Dread began his involvement with reggae in high school in
Jamaica, where he played for parties and community events. After
college he worked as a DJ and audio engineer at the Jamaica
Broadcasting Corporation. During his employment at JBC, Dread
established himself as a pioneer in the world of reggae by hosting
the first all-reggae nightly radio show, airing midnight to 4:30
a.m., called “Dread at the Controls.”
“I realized that the radio was not playing enough Jamaican
music and was being monopolized by foreign music,” he
said.
Dread’s radio show not only created a broadcasting
platform for local Jamaican music, but also became a forum for the
social issues that are often the subjects of reggae music. Today,
hundreds of reggae radio shows worldwide follow Dread’s
original vision.
Since his reign as a JBC broadcaster, Dread has gone on to
pursue the popularization of reggae through a multitude of mediums.
So far he has released 20 albums, collaborated with artists as The
Clash and Lee “Scratch” Perry, and has worked in
television, radio and video production.
Despite his early success as an artist, Dread has continued his
technical education in broadcasting, recording, music/video
production, and obtained a degree in international
communications.
“I’m not just walking out there as an artist,
I’m walking out there as an educated artist who has a mission
to preserve reggae music,” Dread said.
Dread’s next objective on his cause’s horizon is to
set up a radio station and TV channel dedicated solely to reggae
music and culture. In the meantime, he is performing and working on
a book explaining reggae broadcasting and production.
Dread’s rampant dedication to reggae may seem to be
verging on fanatical, but Dread sees the genre as more than just a
style of music.
“Reggae is going to live on forever,” Dread said.
“Because when the calamity comes, when there’s
tribulation, people have to find something to soothe them, and
reggae music is going to soothe the soul of the world.”
Mikey Dread appears at Westwood Plaza today from 10:30 a.m. to 1
p.m.