![]() ![]() It helped families know other families, which was important at that time because the people were so forced to be segregated.”Īround this time, Shaka started studying under Freddie Cloudburst, a local speaker builder who hired him to polish his system and keep it pristine and presentable for his weekly shows. ![]() He further explained saying, “In the 1950s and 1960s in London, there were house parties – 50, 60 people with only record players. Like many others embedded in this experience, families turned to building their own sound systems and throwing house parties as a means to escape their bigoted and impoverished reality. Shaka recalled during an interview, “In the Windrush time, in London, on the doors of the houses, there were signs saying ‘no blacks, no Irish and no dogs.’ Growing up, our parents would tell us, ‘You have to work very hard to overcome such a system, such a regime.’” His family and contemporaries were a part of the “Windrush generation,” named after a ship that had first docked in England in 1948 from Kingston. Shaka was a teenager, and arrived during a time of rampant racism against black immigrants. Responding to an ad in the paper offering free transport to London for work, his family relocated to southeast London in 1956. Clues, though, reveal that Shaka was born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, an area synonymous with numerous roots reggae stars: legendary acts including Toots Hibbert, Everton Blender, Barrington Levy, and Freddie McGregor all rose from the neighborhood. Most significant quotes detailing the experience of Jah Shaka and his mountainous system are similar: That Shaka seems to present the most profound connection to Rastafarian sound system culture, both its spiritual roots and essence and that his all-consuming, chest-rattling system, combined with his messages of love, unity, and spirituality, converge to reveal a profound depth of sound. So writes Vivien Goldman, British journalist, cult musician, former Flying Lizard, and dub aficionado. All sound system followers have their favourites, and there is a certain section of the population who love only Shaka.” “It’s something like seeing the Wizard of Oz for the first time all that mighty, awesome thunder and noise of great rushing waters, then a faint start when you realise the tumult is coming from one man. ![]() A look into the great Zulu Warrior, legendary dub soundsystem operator and producer Jah Shaka. ![]()
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