With a commanding presence, a distinctive voice that is recognizable throughout the world and titles such as artist, businessman, philanthropist and Grammy Award winner, Shaggy is and has been a force to be reckoned with. Shaggy has succeeded on his own terms and continues to break down barriers for those who dare to follow in his footsteps.

Rebelution has developed into a front-runner for grassroots, independent and tour driven music groups. It was at a popular beachside community in Santa Barbara that the seeds to Rebelution’s future was planted creating inspiring, engaging music that would leave their listeners with the sense that they have the power to make this world a better place.

Seun Kuti first began performing with Egypt 80 at the age of nine, but stepped to the front of the band after his father, Fela, died in 1997. While his father’s influence cannot be understated, Kuti was very determined to cut his own distinctive musical path, incorporating contemporary influences into the traditional Afrobeat approach.

One of the great success stories of the 80’s, Barrington Levy arrived on the dancehall scene and swiftly remodeled it in his own image. Although numerous DJ’s and vocalist would rise and fall during this decade, Levy was one of the few with staying power, and he continued releasing massive hits well into the 90’s.

Tarrus Riley’s foray into music was inevitable. The talented singer and songwriter was always surrounded by music from an early age. His father is veteran reggae singer Jimmy Riley. Tarrus has learnt a lot by merely being in the environment of the music business. He caught on very quickly and made his recording debut as a teenager.

For over 25 years, Michael Rose has been performing his brand of militant, hardcore Jamaican music to the delight of reggae fans around the world. As a solo artist, with Black Uhuru, and back as a solo artist, the "Ruff" Rose has achieved great success throughout his career, even as different Jamaican musical styles have phased in and out of popularity.

A much loved talent with an unnerving ability to pen a pop smash, Bitty McLean launched himself into the high end of the British charts with a string of Top Ten hits in the early 90s. His Northern California debut at SNWMF will include selections from his latest release, "The Taxi Sessions," that the distinctive sounds of Sly & Robbie along with Bitty’s astonishing voice.

Bob Andy emerged as a solo star in 1966 with the smash hit "I've Got to Go Back Home", after singing and songwriting with the legendary vocal group The Paragons. International recognition came in 1970 when Bob and Marcia Griffiths released "Young, Gifted and Black", a song which sold 1/2 million in the UK and Europe, and still receives frequent airplay today.

Theirs is the ultimate musical marriage, a partnership that, once formed, re-etched the very landscape of not just Jamaican music, but the entire world’s. Their rhythms have been the driving force behind innumerable songs. As a production team, the pair has been the equivalent of a creative storm, the cutting edge of modern dub, ragga and dancehall.

Ewart Beckford had no idea that the gleeful shouts, banter and jive he waxed at Duke Reid's Treasure Isle studios in early1970 would net him even a shirt, let alone influence a musical trend which has no end in sight. U Roy began to commit his voice to wax in 1969 where he rode Peter Tosh's "Rightful Ruler" song for Matador's label owners Bunny Lee & Keith Hudson.

Cultura Profetica is a band that originated in the island of Puerto Rico and has grown to be known around all of the Caribbean and southern and central America. The band's first album, "Canción de Alerta," was recorded in Jamaica at Tuff Gong studios. The album was a critical and commercial success with several singles being featured on the radio.

Multi-genre, multi-cultural Grammy winning band Ozomatli takes their street-party consciousness to new heights of eclecticism with the release of their brand new album Place In The Sun. Over the years Ozomatli has become the ultimate jam band, pulling together the strands of creativity into a unique rhythmic machine.

Prezident Brown (Fitz Cotterell) is an artist driven by a sense of mission and purpose which dictates that he "edutains" (heightens the consciousness of a people) as much as entertains. Prezident Brown is eminently qualified for the role in which he is seen as a vessel from which flows the healing effect of his musical staple.

Globally known as the “Royal Family of Reggae,” Morgan Heritage has established themselves as the premiere live group on the reggae circuit. Peetah Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy “Gramps” Morgan, Nakhamyah “Lukes” Morgan and Memmalatel “Mr. Mojo” Morgan are back with "Here Come The Kings," the collective’s first musical arrangement in 5 years.

A member of the classic first wave of Jamaican ska artists, Derrick Morgan was among the genre's founding fathers. By 1960, Morgan was the unrivaled King of Ska -- at the peak of his popularity, he was the first and only Jamaican artist to date to hold down the top seven slots on the national pop singles chart during the same week.

If you know reggae music, you know Clinton Fearon. In 1969, he joined Albert Griffiths as a member of The Gladiators with whom he would perform throughout the world for nearly 2 decades. Whether playing bass, guitar or percussion, whether singing lead vocals or providing background harmonies, Fearon has earned his reputation as the “backbone” of The Gladiators.

With a delicate balance of fragility, strength and sass, Hawaiian born singer/songwriter Anuhea blends engaging lyrics, acoustic soul, pop, rap and reggae into a style that has earned her a reputation as Hawaii's #1 female artist. A self-taught guitarist and song writer, Anuhea began showcasing her talents at Hawaii's famous Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu.

Chuck Fenda has always had a special love for music. In 1997, Fenda decided to relocate to Jamaica to focus on his career. With a career spanning over 15 years that has catapulted him into a world renowned artist, the DJ is now taking his career to a higher level. by establishing his own recording, management and booking label - Living Fire Records.

Hollie Cook was born and bred in West London in a household dominated by music - with Sex Pistol Paul Cook as her dad, music was always around. The summer of 2011 saw the release of her self-titled debut album. Produced by the legendary Prince Fatty, the album received critical acclaim and landed on an array of ‘Top Albums of 2011’ lists.

The B-Side Players are an 8-piece band that honors the international cross-pollination that has always made music the universal language. They are known for igniting crowds with their fierce rhythms and uplifting message of unity. The B-Side Players are a living and breathing cultural art experience for the mind body and soul.

Josey Wales was one of dancehall's founding fathers, building on the innovative DJ chatting of his mentor U-Roy and creating a highly influential style of his own. Along with Brigadier Jerry and his sound-system partner Charlie Chaplin, Wales was widely regarded as one of the best DJs in Jamaica when dancehall took over the reggae scene in the early '80s.

Keron "Kabaka Pyramid" Salmon is a multi-talented artist & producer coming straight from the streets of Kingston. His musical style is unique - blending the lyricism of Hip Hop, with the energy and melody of Reggae and Dancehall. His liquid and hypnotizing delivery spreads the positive messages of spirituality and conscious evolution that forces you to listen.

Electrifying is the one word which most accurately describes The Tamlins, who are one of (if not the best) harmonizing trios to emerge from Jamaica. Consisting of Carlton Smith, Derrick Lara and Junior Moore, The Tamlins started out as a nightclub act in 1970 and by 1972 had won the “Most Outstanding Group” award in Jamaica.

Black Slate is the roots band that helped put the British Reggae sound on the charts in the 70s and 80s. Formed in London in 1974 by musicians from England, Jamaica, and Anguilla, Black Slate was recognized as a band that was able to blend reggae into their own unique sound. Their hit song “Amigo” remains a rallying call for the Rastafarian way of life to this day.

Jambinai (잠비나이) is a three-piece band from South Korea. This unique post-rock & post-metal band uses traditional Korean instruments in their melodies. They have a really atmospheric, emotional & heavy sound that charms you through your ears. Their popularity increased among their listeners leading to the release of their first album "Differance" (차연) in 2012.

Raging Fyah is an authentic, soul-filled, roots rock reggae band, with a fresh contemporary flare, that will literally set your soul on fire! The “Fyah” was ignited in 2006 by Anthony Watson, Demar Gayle and Delroy Hamilton who were later joined by Courtland White and Kumar Bent as they set out to rekindle a flame of positivity in the music industry.

Zvuloon Dub System, Israel’s leading World-Reggae band, emerges from a multicultural middle-eastern music scene, singing in English and Amharic. The band was formed in 2006 by the Smilan brothers. They shared the same passion for roots reggae and dub, with influences from a variety of music styles, like Ethiopian jazz and rare grooves from the 70’s.

Born in Georgetown, Guyana and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Jahdan Blakkamoore has long made a name for himself as a gifted and inspiring Reggae, Dancehall, Hip Hop and Dubstep artist. His music has been described as “Urban World Music with a message.” His sense of melody, superb song writing skills and ability to effortlessly cross over genres has solidified Jahdan's status as a relevant artist in the music industry.

Ester Rada’s cross-cultural sound is a deep reflection of the Israeli born Ethiopian’s heritage. Critics describe her genre mixing sound as gracefully combining Ethio-Jazz, funk, soul and r&b with undertones of black grooves. With influences from early 20th century soul power women, Rada brings a new voice to soul that is spreading worldwide.

Carlton Manning developed a taste for music by listening to American artists of the 50s and 60s. His first single at Studio One was "You and Me," but it was his recording of "Love Me Forever" that would be his big breakthrough. Arguably, his greatest contribution to reggae was as mentor to his younger brothers Donald and Linford as members of the Abyssinians.

As songwriter and producer Carroll experienced her first real success with the timeless “I’m So Sorry.” With the release of singles like “Simply In Love,” “Happy Song,” Hopelessly In Love” and “Yesterday” she was quickly established as one of the UK’s finest female vocalist affectionately dubbed the "Queen of Lovers Rock" selling over 750,000 units worldwide.

Dubbed the West Coast’s hottest Brazilian band by promoters, journalists and fans, SambaDá musically unites the Americas. Based in Brazil's rich musical traditions, SambaDá also references salsa & cumbia, blending them playfully with funk and reggae beats. The band is known for its high-energy percussion, danceable grooves and visually dynamic show.

Saritah has a positive vision for the future which shines through every word she sings and every note she plays. Inspiring, uplifting and playfully powerful, Her live shows are colourful celebrations of life. South Korean born, raised in Australia, She is a dynamic performer who delivers a potent combination of feminine spirit, conscious lyrics and heartful melodies.

Candelaria is a band at the forefront of the global cumbia-fusion movement with their mix of Electo-Cumbia with Indian Ragas, African highlife guitar lines, reggaeton and dancehall beats creating a previously unknown style of music: CumbiaDub.  They reflect the beauty of the multicultural world we live in today and the diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area.

From the first day they have started playing sound, Masta Simon and Sami-T, and other members of Mighty Crown always had a bigger aim, which was to bust their sound in foreign. Mighty Crown is one of the sounds to prove to the world that reggae music is an international music. They play music for the people worldwide.

Adrian Sherwood is an English record producer best known for his work with dub music. He is co-founder of Carib Gems and Pressure Sounds, and founder of Hitrun Records as well as Soundboy Records. His most well-known label is On-U Sound. During the early 80’s he brought together many Jamaican artists under the collective name of Singers & Players.

Armed with an ever-expanding 20+ year reggae vinyl collection, Comanche High Power finds and brings to light the many diverse and highly underrated artists both in reggae history and modern roots and culture dancehall music, while mixing in more well-known classic 'anthems' to the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 'for your maximum musical pleasure'.