Ken Boothe, a stalwart of reggae’s classic era, will be honored at the Rhythms of Africa show, which takes place April 26-27 at the Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar, South Florida.
The legendary singer, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, was recently presented with a Reggae Gold Award by the Jamaican government. A tearful Boothe took the stage at Kingston’s National Indoor Sports Centre to rapturous applause to accept the award from Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Jamaica’s entertainment minister.
Willie Stewart, the former Third World drummer who founded Rhythms of Africa in 2010, said Boothe is worthy of sustained recognition.
“To have Mr. Ken Boothe grace our show is indeed a great honor. This man is a living, iconic legend and reggae royalty. I know the audience will be excited to see him perform and we will all honor him,” Stewart noted.
Boothe’s career took off in the rock steady era of the mid-1960s with songs like ‘Artibela’, ‘Just Another Girl’, ‘Puppet on a String’ and ‘Say You’. In the 1970s when he lived briefly in Canada, he had a number of hits including ‘Silver Words’ and ‘Everything I Own’. The latter topped the British national chart in late 1974.
Stewart disclosed that the theme for Rhythms of Africa 2025 is ‘Music to My Ears’. The show’s headliner is Demola, a rising Nigerian violinist whose fusion of Afro Beats, pop and reggae have endeared him to fans in the United States.
“When he plays songs, it is like the singer is singing through his violin. His interpretation is amazing,” said Stewart.
