Rootz Underground Debuts New Single & Video “Power To The People”
Rootz Underground has just debuted its latest single and music video, entitled “Power To The People” (Riverstone Records, 2009).
Riding a riddim made popular by Sugar Minott’s “No Vacancy” (Hit Bound, 1983), the song couples an upbeat horn line with a message of empowerment and positivity.
The video, directed by Stevie G (RU lead singer Stephen Newland) and Colli B (RU bassist Collin Young?) opens with a clip of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Sellassie in his palace garden, explaining that “David will still beat Goliath”- possibly a reference to the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, although Ethiopia’s more decisive victory was really that of the Battle of Adwa in the First Italo–Ethiopian War, which predated Sellassie’s reign. It continues with subtitles proclaiming famous lines from various influential persons, including Marcus Garvey, Mahatma Gandhi and others, superimposed over a wide variety of video clips and stills culled from various social media websites.
All in all a great effort from Rootz Underground- another catchy conscious tune, and a video that illustrates what can be done with a little creative thinking- a refreshing break from the mind-numbing sameness that seems to afflict many contemporary reggae videos.
Upcoming Rootz Underground 2009 Tour Dates:
July 23 – San Diego, CA @ The World Beat Center w/ The Mighty Diamonds
July 25 – Flagstaff, AX @ The Green Room
July 26 – New Mexico @ Sky City Casino for Hana Reggae Festival w/ Ky-mani Marley and The Original Wailers
July 29 – Park City, UT @ The State Bar
July 30 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe’s Alley
July 31 – San Francisco, CA @ The Rockit Room
August 1 – Reggae Rising, CA
August 3 – San Luis Obispo, CA @ Downtown Brew
August 7 – Uppsalla Festival, Stockholm, Sweden
August 8 – Reggae Sun Ska Festival, France
August 16 – Ostrada Festival, Poland
More details are available at www.rootzunderground.com.
5 Comments
Wikkiiid!!!
Great amalgam of images. Blockbuster start with that spoken word insert from H.I.M. Love the late 70s – early 80s feel with the horns
Instant classic
Fresh, creative, ALIVE, inspiring. Just what I have come to expect from Rootz Underground. They are a truley about unification, not division. Inclusion, not separation. Music for the 21st century
Tremendous song- outstanding video, Mighty Rootz Underground!!!…job well done!~…
A very essential video in these here troubling times of ours and very inspiration ally uplifting, too!!…So then, come on slumbering masses…it’s time to rise in the name of Jah and stand up for equal rights and justice- while we still can!!
Bless and praise Rootz!
Colby
ROOTZ UNDERGROUND is simply the best…lyrics, arrangement, the talent…and, yeah, they good lookin boyz too!! GET WITH DA MOVEMENT PEOPLE!!!!
Traci
NH
MAAAAAAD