The two-day Kaya Fest 2018 marked the 40th anniversary of Bob Marley’s album “Kaya,” and showcased music as well as art at the San Bernardino’s NOS event center on April 28th and 29th!
Kaya Fest featured the musical talents of the Bob Marley children and grandchildren: Stephen, Ziggy, Damian, Julian, and Ky-Mani. The crowd began vibing to their captivating tunes the minute they stepped foot onto main stage. The combination of lights, soulful singing, and an enthusiastic audience came together to make this performance one to remember.
From the moment attendees arrived, it was clear that those gathered here had come for more than just music. In light of the changes surrounding cannabis and its relatively recent legalization, an opportunity to educate others on the many values of plant has opened up. A number of vendors, from all over southern California, were made available throughout the festival with the primary purpose of extolling the virtues of cannabis in medical, recreational, and even artistic capacities. As founder Stephen “Ragga” Marley said in a statement, “Kaya Fest is not a smoke-out thing, what we really try to emphasize is education before recreation to get one to learn about the medical uses, the industrial uses, the environmental benefits, the healing potential of the plant. And to ask why really is there such a fight against this plant.”
With artists coming from all over the world, installations were beautifully on display throughout the festival. In addition to the live music found on main stage, you could also find a secondary stage with other artists spinning remixes of popular reggae, acid house, acid jazz, and ambient music. This area featured both a dance floor, for those who couldn’t help but move, and a moderately sized grassy field if you preferred to relax on a blanket and sway at your own pace.
On the musical lineup were the reggae stars Third World, with Stephen “Cat” Coore and Richard Daley taking stage, they brought a range of generations together with nothing more than a mic, their unique reggae sounds and some vibrant clothing.
Other stars to grace the stage included reggaeton music duo Zion Y Linnox. They kicked off their set with a fan favorite that had the crowd shaking their booties almost as well as the crimson clad backup dancers. Superstars, Cypress Hill and Ms. Lauryn Hill, also used their anthems to get the audience moving! Cypress Hill got things started with their famous song “Roll It Up, Light It Up, Smoke It Up”. The stage lighting, their lively musicality, and pure adrenaline had the crowds jumping and singing their hearts out. Ms. Hill closed out the evening by exploding onto stage with the famously empowering “Everything Is Everything”. The audience gave her everything they had left and then dragged themselves home for a good night’s sleep.
The cherry on top of this reggae loving fun fest is that there’s more on the way. The release date of #KAYA40 has been announced! In addition to all your favorites by Bob & The Wailers that can be heard on the 1978 original, you’ll be able to hear works from Stephen Marley. This re-imagined companion album will be made available to the public August of this year.
In short, the combination of education, art, history, and an unusually enlightened fan base has resulted in a music festival that is unlike any other. In just a year’s time you’ll find fans, both old and new, heading to Garden Grove, CA for Kaya 2019. There’s always more to learn, see, and here. See you next year!
Photo’s provided by Matthew Oxman and Lauren Kay
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