At 79, Burning Spear, icon of Jamaican reggae, begins an African tour rich in symbols and emotions, celebrating his deep ties with the continent.
Burning Spear, one of the most respected pioneers of Jamaican reggae, is carrying out an African tour that arouses enthusiasm and emotions. Having started in Zimbabwe on October 18 and ending in Kenya on November 2, this tour allows the artist to strengthen his deep ties with the continent which influences his musical journey.
An African tour rich in symbols and history
For its many African fans, the Burning Spear venue is more than a concert: it is a tribute to decades of commitment to African culture and the fight against oppression. This journey took the reggae legend through several countries, including South Africa, Zambia and Malawi, leaving his mark on each stage. By selecting Zimbabwe to open its tour, Burning Spear reconnected with its first memories in Africa, thus symbolizing a return to roots for the man who has always integrated African heritage into his songs.
As soon as it arrived on African soil on October 18, Burning Spear aroused excitement among fans, particularly within the Rasta community, who welcomed it with warmth and admiration. On social networks, the photo of his arrival received more than 50,000 likes, proof of the undiminished affection that the African public has for him. This popularity is not new: in 2007, the singer already created an event in Nairobi by sharing a unique moment with his fans, playing percussion, his favorite instrument, recalling the link between his music and African traditions. .
A long-standing artistic relationship with Africa
Burning Spear is no stranger to the African continent. Since his first concert in Dakar in 1982, the artist has often graced African stages, notably in Ivory Coast, Ghana and Burkina Faso. In 1988, he even shared the bill at a traveling festival with legends such as Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, two great figures of African music. This privileged link between the Jamaican and Africa is found in his musical works, such as in Hail Him, an album dedicated to the Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie. For many reggae fans, Burning Spear’s music resonates as an echo of their roots, a cultural communion that spans oceans.
Burning Spear’s career has influenced many African artists, including Alpha Blondy, Ivorian reggae star. The latter remembers the decisive impact that listening to Burning Spear had on him: “I felt like I was in front of an Ivorian, or a Senegalese, or a Congolese singing… This music smelled of Africa” , he explains. For Alpha Blondy, Burning Spear represents a model, a singer who knew how to combine a love of music and a love of Africa.
A symbolic concert in Kenya to close the tour
Burning Spear’s last concert, scheduled for November 2 in Nairobi, is loaded with symbols. His stage name, inspired by Jomo Kenyatta, hero of Kenyan independence, finds a particular resonance here. This final concert promises to be a strong moment, a final tribute to the African roots which have nourished the singer’s inspiration throughout his career. For Burning Spear, this tour is a way to come full circle, to pay homage to Africa, the spiritual cradle of its music, and to pass on to future generations its message of peace, love and cultural pride.
