She has been consistent around the world preaching peace, love, unity through conscious reggae music. Khalilah Rose is again taking the gospel of reggae music to Africa.

Unlike many international artistes who charge millions of Naira to perform in shows in Africa, Khalilah Rose prefers not to charge any fee but to perform free of charge in Africa. This is the second time the Jamaica-born reggae artiste, influenced by the late reggae icon, Bob Marley, her fellow countryman, would be coming to Africa to perform. Last year, she left a lasting impression with her Nigerian fans when she thrilled several dignitaries at the Musa Yar’A’dua Hall, Murtala Square, Kaduna State.

Indeed, she is a living example of practice what you preach. “Some artistes sing about Africa, talk about their love for Africa, but how many, actually, will travel to Africa for free shows?” she asked. “It is about standing up and building a strong foundation as an artiste with no borders.”

The international artiste, who is from the Maroon Tribe in Jamaica, made the shocking revelation that she is an African.”Many individuals do not study or try to learn their history and as an African, our history is hidden and if we don’t seek, we will not find,” she said. “The oppressors did a good job at putting us down and if one artiste, with a microphone, can start with a vision to educate people about who or what they are or where they came from, then that makes them powerful.”

Although, her management is still working on the dates for her tour of Africa, but bookings and ticket reservations are secured for 2015 when Khalilah Rose would continue her propagation of peace and unity in Africa. “Music is not a destination, it is a journey an artiste has to make and reggae music is universal, it is more than any thing anyone can imagine, it is life itself and the power to bring people together is limitless with reggae music and I am using that power. Reggae music is not my music, it is the music of the people, l am just a voice to deliver it to the souls that seek it,” she added.

Many people classify this genre of music as old fashion, but Khalilah Rose thinks otherwise. “Reggae music will never be classified as “old”, young people are vibrant towards more commercial sounds on radio and TV, so if Hip Hop, which is getting all the commercial support than reggae has the crown, but the crowd is more loyal and full of maturity, if you look at the average established reggae artiste’s concert attendees, most are in mid 30s and beyond, you can see the joy and excitement on their faces when they come to shows. Reggae music is food to the soul; it makes you to think deep when you are listening to the songs.”

The artiste who has been described as the new face of Jamaican Rasta reggae had released her latest work entitled New World, “this and many more will be performed live in Africa,” she disclosed.

- Source: DAILY TIMES