No Man Is An Island

March 16, 2020

By Sista Irie

“No man is an island, no man stands alone...Each man has a brother, each man has a friend.” Dennis Brown

Last August, I took this colorful photo of a music fan while enjoying my favorite reggae festival in the world, Rototom Sunsplash in Benacassim, Spain. As many as 60-90 countries are  represented annually at Rototom, the world's largest reggae festival presented on 500,000 square meters site to over 200,000 fans. The celebration enjoyed by people of many diverse languages and cultures fully demonstrates the impact of social and musical unity from across the globe. At the time, a red gold and green face mask seemed like an innocuous image, but a year later, a face mask is a worldwide symbol reflective of life as we know it going through major changes.

Rototom Sunsplash, the epicenter of summer reggae vibes, began in Italy twenty six years ago. In 2010, the festival moved to Benicassim, Spain to promote increased international growth and mission impact. There is never a doubt that “Peace is the Mission.   Reggae is the way.” Rototom Sunsplash, official. Photos from the 2019 Rototom Sunsplash festival can be found here: Rototom Sunsplash 2019

Oddly enough, I don’t remember taking the photo. Curiously, the synchronicity of this image with what is happening today is very symbolic. The birthplace of Rototom Sunsplash was Gaio di Spilimbergo, Italy. Twenty six years later, that same country is struggling with diagnosed numbers of the coronavirus (COVID-19) second only to China. The hardship there and across the world is evident, however, the best way to succeed over an invisible enemy is to remain calm, follow recommended strategies by official resources like the World Health Organization, and most of all, help one another. There are people who depend on your small acts of kindness even if it is to not take so much from your local grocery so that those who cannot buy in quantity can get much needed supplies.

As a member of the global reggae community, we care for all. MAJESTY MEDIA wants our brothers and sisters from Italy who are dealing with some of the worst aspects of this virus, to know that we are thinking of them and hope and pray for their safety and health. Unity is strength.