Video: The Chinese Reggae Scene You Didn't Know Existed

Reggae and Jamaica — the two go together like beer and baseball. But, perhaps surprisingly, another region, located more than 15,000 kilometers away in Southwest China, also embodies the spirit and vibes of the music style: Yunnan. Reggae is a niche music genre in China, but it has been embraced and localized by a motley crew of creatives across Yunnan province, many of whom hail from the region’s diverse ethnic groups, such as the Yi and Wa people. Many of the province’s reggae musicians are exploring their roots through reggae, transforming a music style most often associated with Bob Marley into something novel and culturally significant to the local populace. Featuring prominent local reggae artists such as Kawa and Puman, the first episode of RADII’s Into the Night series highlights the deep and unexpected connections between reggae culture and the folk music traditions of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities. Watch above to learn how the adoption of reggae music in Yunnan represents how locals have integrated the multifaceted elements of identity, cultural practices, and the land into their style of music. Click here to learn more about RADII’s mini-documentary series Into the Night.

Learn more about the Into The Night series here.