The Chinese Reggae Scene You Didn't Know Existed

Reggae and Jamaica - the two go together like beer and baseball. But, perhaps surprisingly, another region, located more than 15,000 kilometers away in Southwest China, also embodies the spirit and vibes of the music style: Yunnan.
Reggae is a niche music genre in China, but it has been embraced and localized by a motley crew of creatives across Yunnan province, many of whom hail from the region’s diverse ethnic groups, such as the Yi and Wa people.
Many of the province’s reggae musicians are exploring their roots through reggae, transforming a music style most often associated with Bob Marley into something novel and culturally significant to the local populace.
Featuring prominent local reggae artists such as Kawa and Puman, the first episode of RADII’s Into the Night series highlights the deep and unexpected connections between reggae culture and the folk music traditions of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities.
Watch above to learn how the adoption of reggae music in Yunnan represents how locals have integrated the multifaceted elements of identity, cultural practices, and the land into their style of music.
Click here to learn more about RADII’s mini-documentary series Into the Night.
radii.co/into-...
#China #Reggae #Yunnan #EthnicMinorities #Rastafari #BobMarley
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[@lesterlovesstella]

from smoking tea to drinking tea - nothing bad has ever come out of loving reggae

[@EvilLoveProdz]

Thank you, very interesting, Big Up of France

[@jiayunyan378]

So excited for this series!

[@mihalygiber3306]

Me too. I know a couple of super fun Wa Zu people. Excited to share it with them. :)

[@cinstinasrenatou]

I love Yunnan and their music! Kawa's live show was awesome.

[@陈333]

YUNNAN REGGAE，相当得！

[@itsalliKnowreggea]

Big Up! I hear you. Keep on jammin it. I'm a big fan now. Drew - Los Angeles, US " ring the alarm" reggea in china

[@blazayblazay8888]

IRONY IS THEY PROBABLY HAVE NO IDEA OF THE CHINESE ORIGINS AND INFLUENCE IN BEGINNING OF REGGAE MUSIC

[@sinceweknow5273]

Jah music 😮 3:20 travel across the sea to break down the great wall of china 🇨🇳

[@BouncerCFC]

One ❤ brothers and sisters

[@Zerpentsa6598]

Don't forget the Chins in Jamaica.

[@harbinger6562]

1🤍🦾💯

[@galenmerrick]

Soon, they'll say they created reggae. Whoops they already have.

[@Zerpentsa6598]

The truth may shock you. Find out about Pat Chin and her role. Educate yourself. 😊

[@Dvm0075]

🙄trying to act cleverly mean but you failed.

[@decoloniz_afro]

Everybody want black culture ...ooo please

[@soysaucegirl2007]

Why do they need a white guy to talk about reggae music? Is he the voice of authenticity for Chinese - can black people not speak for themselves about their own music? If they know no black reggae musicians, this is a sign that perhaps you should not be doing it. The irony is, Chinese Jamaicans were a driving force in early reggae. Perhaps someone should let these people know.

[@Soffenoffe]

They know Chinese Jamaicans were a driving force in reggae, I know these musicians personally and they are very knowledgeable about reggae history. And the white guy interviewed is their friend and a member of Shan Ren band, which is why he was interviewed.

[@decoloniz_afro]

​@@Soffenoffeshit keep off black world with their cultures... nonsense