Reggae University at Rototom Sunsplash is one of the most popular and noteworthy spaces of the festival’s daytime cultural agenda. This year’s Reggae University will also explore the dynamic form of dub poetry. The continual global rise of Afrobeats, and the everlasting importance of Rastafari both in and outside of Jamaica. Academics from universities in Kingston and Vienna. A visual artist and book publisher from Mexico City will join together with artists such as Kabaka Pyramid, Inna De Yard, Linval Thompson, Willi Williams, Don Carlos, Anthony B, Don Letts, Yemi Alade and Chi Ching Ching, the featured protagonists to guide us through all things reggae and dancehall.

Benicàssim I Wednesday, June 21, 2023.- The complex evolution of Jamaican popular music and the distinctive features of British reggae are two of the main topics that will be on the agenda at the Rototom Sunsplash ‘Temple of Jamaican Musical Learning,’ which will be held in Benicàssim (Spain) August 16th to 22nd. The Reggae University, one of the vital cultural spaces that constitutes the festival’s daytime programme, will also address the meaning of dub poetry, the importance of Marcus Garvey and the incredible rise of Afrobeats.

Mad Professor Master Class

This journey of learning and interaction through reggae will begin with a celebration of the iconic Ariwa label. The label was run by Mad Professor in London for the last 50 years. This is followed by a Mad Professor masterclass that will allow the public to engage hands-on.

On 18th August, Professor Donna Hope of the Institute of Caribbean Studies at the University of the West Indies’ Mona Jamaica campus, and the visual artist and publisher Carla Lamoyi of Fiebre Editions in Mexico City will launch their book Dancehall Queen: Erotic Subversion, on the 17th Professor Werner Zips of the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at Vienna University will engage in conversation with the pioneering Jamaican dub poet Mutabaruka, and throughout the week our team will conduct in-depth panel discussions with artists such as Kabaka Pyramid, Inna De Yard, Linval Thompson, Willi Williams, Roberto Sanchez, Don Carlos, Anthony B, Don Letts, Gaudi, Nigerian Afrobeats queen Yemi Alade and the highly-rated dancehall artist Chi Ching Ching, each of whom will help us to explore all things reggae and dancehall, and beyond.

Renowned main stage artists

Regarding this year’s cinematic content, on 17th August, Roy T Anderson’s film African Redemption will allow us to better understand the relevance of Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican hero of black self-determination; the Rebel Dread documentary screening on the 21st will give context to our session with Don Letts and Gaudi; Inna De Yard documentary screening on the 19th will help us make sense of the Inna De Yard acoustic reggae project helmed by veterans such as Cedric Myton, Kiddus I, Winston McAnuff, and Keith and Tex; the screening of Strictly Prohibited on the 18th will illuminate the controversy surrounding Jamaica’s recent ‘dancehall ban’; and on the 20th, Out Deh explores the many hardships currently facing Jamaican youth.
 
Throughout the week, renowned main stage artists such as Kabaka Pyramid, Anthony B, Linval Thompson, Willi Williams. Roberto Sanchez, David Hinds and Selwyn Brown of Steel Pulse. Mutabaruka, Yemi Alade and Chi Ching Ching will be among the guests who will regale us with tales from behind the music. On 20th August members of the House of Rastafari will deliver a sermon on peace.

Once again, the Reggae University maintains a similar timetable to that of previous editions. The film screenings starting at 15:30 or 16:00, followed by talks from 17:00 to 20:00. All before the Main Stage programme gets underway. We look forward to seeing you in the Reggae University tent each day, adjacent to the main stage area.

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