BRITISH reggae legend MACKA B returns to the south coast on Sunday.
Along with his full Roots Ragga band, the Wolverhampton frontman will bring 30 years of Jamaican dancehall and dub to The Joiners, Southampton, as part of his only UK tour this year.
He released his first record, Sign of the Times, in 1986 and since then he has produced more than 20 studio and live albums, including his latest collection Health is Wealth.
He was last in the south in December playing to a packed crowd at The Wedgewood Rooms.
When first drawn in by the reggae of the Lord Barley sound-system that he heard playing at a blues party next door to his parents' house, Macka B also played violin and sang in the school choir.
Later, when made redundant from his technical apprenticeship at Ever Ready’s factory in his hometown, he devoted more time to practising his toasting skills, influenced by earlier Jamaican toasters U-Roy, I-Roy, Big Youth, and especially Prince Far I.
What started then led to a lifetime in music for Macka B, including being the first Reggae artist to tour the countries of the former Yugoslavia and appearing in front of Nelson Mandela in the National Stadium, Kingston.
The singer has toured and performed around the world since the 1980s alone and with other reggae stars such as Burning Spear, U-Roy, The Wailers and Lee Perry.
Macka B headlines at The Joiners Sunday October 14. Tickets £16.50 at joiners.vticket.co.uk.
Richard Derbyshire
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