Wesrok not worried about the state of reggae

Reggae artiste Wesrok believes that reggae aficionados should not be too worried about experts who claim that reggae is "on the decline" after a series of cancellations of popular music festivals in the USA and Europe.

"The state of reggae music on the world stage is fine," said Wesrok, whose given name is Percival Buddan.

"Reggae music has always played a major role within social and political movements, and even though its themes and messages have changed, the world still needs reggae. The genre still maintains a dedicated fan base worldwide and continues to influence many artistes across different genres," he said.

It was recently announced that the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival was cancelled due to low presold ticket sales. This follows on the heels of the cancellation of Reggae Lovefest in Miami, Florida, which was scheduled for June 22, with headliners including Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, Elephant Man and Capleton. In April, the OverJam Festival in Slovenia, which has been held over the last 11 years, announced its discontinuation.

"Trends in music are always evolving, and it is possible that reggae music's popularity may ebb and flow over time. But reggae will rise again," Wesrok said. He remains optimistic and is pressing ahead with his latest collaboration, True Love, featuring Big Mountain. Wesrok said that music producer Don Hines made it possible.

"He presented my songs to the band and they liked it. The rest is history," Wesrok said. Big Mountain is an American band known for its remake of Peter Frampton's Baby, I Love Your Way, which became a massive hit in 1994, reaching No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Wesrok has high hopes that the message of True Love will touch an emotional chord with the masses.

"The song says it all. Love is the answer to a world that is lost and full of hate. Only Jah can save us. Love is taken for granted by all of us; there is nothing greater than Jah love," he said.