University of the West Indies in Jamaica recently announced plans for the fourth International Reggae Conference. Formerly known as the Global Reggae Conference, the four-day focus on one of the Caribbean’s most popular home-grown music will celebrate the genre as well as reflect on some of the pitfalls that has kept it a niche market commodity.
Presented by the Institute of Caribbean Studies and the Reggae Studies Unit at UWI, Feb. 11-14 slates the dates to discuss topics under the theme “Musical Legends and Cultural Legacies.”
Planned to coincide with Reggae Month and the 70th birthday anniversary celebrations of reggae superstar Robert “Nesta” Marley, the conference will commemorate the birth of Jamaica’s premier cultural ambassador with the annual Bob Marley Lecture. During that session the spotlight will focus on the cultural legacies inherent in Marley’s work. Some of the proposed conference sub-themes include:
Marley: A Musical Dynasty; The Cultural Products of Popular Music ; Preserving Legacies; Protecting Intellectual Property; Cultural/Creative Enterprises in Popular Music; Reggae Royalties; Empires in Popular Music; Dancehall: Jamaica’s 21st Century Soundtrack; Reggae Revival: Fad or Filling the Creative Void; Lessons from “Di Teacha”; Herb & Bass; Riddims: Programming or Performance?; Jamaica’s Reggae Culture in the Public Domain; Space and Place in the Construction of Reggae Legends; Fashion Cultures in Jamaican Popular Music.
In addition to the conference, numerous events associated with the theme will consolidate to disseminate information on Jamaican music, culture and associated music forms. Academics, researchers, artistes, musicians, scholars, cultural practitioners, entrepreneurs and music lovers from around the world will be able to share their experiences and perspectives on the various forms of reggae including dancehall music.
A focus on the legacies culled from music icons and how they influence and affect cultural and creative industries will also be examined.
The organizers have extended an invitation for potential participants to submit proposals through Nov. 14. Papers should be no more than 300 words. Each applicant should submit a cover page with name, affiliation, contact information and a short biography of no more than 75 words.
Also requested is one abstract for each applicant interested in presenting on a panelist. Specific needs or technological requirements should be included in the proposal. For more information contact the International Reggae Secretariat at Reggae Studies Unit, Institute of Caribbean Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Education, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica or Email:internationalreggae@gmail.com; Tel: 1 (876) 977-1951, Fax: 1 (876) 977-3430.
