The inaugural Nimba Reggae Festival is scheduled for September 5-6 in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, West Africa. It features several leading reggae acts including native son Takana Zion, Richie Spice, Warrior King and Jah Mason.
Opening day takes place at Radisson Blu Hotel. The second day is scheduled for Esplanade du Palais. Takana Zion is principal organiser for the Nimba Reggae Festival. One of his partners is Maka Lox, a Jamaican musician/producer he has collaborated with for nearly 20 years.
“We are trying to bring reggae to Guinea at a different level. Because of Takana and his message, a lotta people get to know reggae and Rastafari, but we want to take it up a notch” said Maka Lox.
Like other countries in West Africa, such as Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea was once owned by France. Senegal was the epicenter for the World Beat genre that emerged during the 1980s, due to the popularity of acts like Youssou N’Dour.
Takana Zion and Maka Lox were introduced to each other by French reggae legend Pierpoljak. They have since recorded a number of songs including ‘Sensimillia’ and ‘Court Case Pending’.
While he grew up on the songs of Guinean artists like Bembeya Jazz National and Keletigui Diabate, Takana Zion’s creative mentors were Tiken Jah Fakoly and Manjul from Cote d’Ivoire, two of the most influential figures in African reggae.
‘Good Life’, his 2014 album, was recorded at Tuff Gong studios in Kingston, Jamaica. Takana Zion has also recorded songs with Bunny Wailer.