Read and watch WRC 2016 semi-finalists
ADAHZEH
Jamaica
Over the years Jamaica has produced a handful of female groups. But what most lacked were musicianship, great talent, beauty and versatility. And that’s exactly what all female band Adahzeh is bringing to the table. Adahzeh is on the rise having impacted many of the live performance showcases across Jamaica. The five-piece band was formed in 2013, started with the vision of Karissa Palmer. With a unique sound fusing reggae, dancehall, rhythm and blues, rock and techno, the girls have blended their talents to create something new for the music industry.
http://www.adahzeh.com/
ETNA KONTRABANDE
Poland
Coming from the North of Poland, they are 8 musicians playing energetical reggae & ska with some electronics. They formed in 1999 and released 4 albums. The band received many awards and played over 600 concerts, both in Poland and abroad. Etna performed at United Islands, Reggae Fest and SazavaFest in Czech and all leading Polish reggae festivals, among the others. They were invited to main Polish TV and radio stations. Currently the band is working on a new album, to follow their previous release “Free Style” (2015).
https://www.facebook.com/EtnaKontrabande/
I&I
New Caledonia
I&I have been known throughout New Caledonia from 2010. Two years later they recorded their first album “Common Fate”, followed by “Mama Earth” in 2016. “Live It” feat. Raging Fyah was their successful single last year. They also toured Australia with Katchafire and received an artistic award from the authorities of Southern New Caledonia province. Conscious lyrics in English.
http://onepagelink.com/iandi/
RAPHA PICO
The Netherlands
He was born in Amsterdam to a mother of Suriname heritage and father from Martinique and Benin. From 2012 Rapha focused on original songwriting, working with several bands and performing. In 2013 The Roots Rockers became his backing band. His debut EP “Roots” was recorded at Tuff Gong Studio in Jamaica with Roland McDermott. Rapha set up his own studio and label Pico Productions. In 2014 he won Benelux Reggae Contest. Played many shows afterwards and prepared the ground for another EP “Get Ready” this year.
https://www.facebook.com/Raphapicomusic
THE DUBBEEZ
The Netherlands
Young club reggae collective from Amsterdam, proving that good reggae music is timeless. The septet is rebooting classic roots and club reggae to the year 2016. Winners of the Battle of the Bands in Amsterdam. The Dubbeez lay a solid foundation for their own, shimmering compositions. Expect reggae songs with a vintage feel. They show that reggae can have universal potential.
https://www.facebook.com/thedubbeez
WICKED DUB DIVISION
Italy
Started in 2014, this project was born out of the union of two well-known and established names on the Italian dub scene: Michela Grena, the voice of the B.R.Stylers, and Wicked Dub Division, the dub trio active for ten years. The band performs what could be described as a musical experiment, mixing hot and hypnotic sounds with more wicked and minimal beats. Their first album is self-produced “Dub Drops” (2015), followed by “Red” this year. They won the Critics Award in Amnesty International Italy’s “Voices for Freedom” Contest.
http://www.wickeddubdivision.com/
INTERNATIONAL DUB AMBASSADORS
Puerto Rico
Hailing from the concrete jungles of the oldest colony in the world, they are Puerto Rico’s preeminent Dub Reggae band. Combining heavy basslines with psychedelic synthetic effects, the Ambassadors speak truth without the need for useless words. They rely on rough rhythms and galactic melodies in order to express the frustrations of their political impotence. The core members of the group have been collaborating together since puberty, exploring different musical styles such as punk rock, reggae and ska.
http://dubambassadors.pr/
PERSONS OF INTEREST
Jamaica
They have existed for 2,5 year now. Among the members from Kingston, Spanish Town and St. Mary you can find two sisters and two cousins. They have performed on all major stages in Jamaica, including Rebel Salute, Jamaica Jazz and Blues Fest, Reggae Sumfest, Blue Mountain Music Fest. “We think we have what it takes to make it.”
https://www.facebook.com/thebandpersonsofinterest
QUARTIERE COFFEE
Italy
The band was formed in Grosseto in 2004. They recorded their first album “In-A” in 2008. Two years later they put out “Vibratown” with collaborations from Elephant Man, Lion D and Sister E. “Italian Reggae Familia” (2013) brought the title track that gave them success. Now collaborating with the producer Paolo Baldini on their fourth album, written together with Jamaican Dwayne C. Downie.
http://www.quartierecoffee.it/
REGIME
UK
Bristol’s newcomers are tackling issues as drug abuse, arms dealing and government oppression. Regime speak directly to the hearts and minds of free thinking people. Social and political commentaries are blended seamlessly with hip hop, reggae and rock to make audiences jump, laugh and think. Regime’s debut album ‘Push’ was crowdfunded in 2014. In 2015 they performed at Boomtown, Secret Garden Party and Shambala and went on their first ever European tour.
http://www.regimesound.com/