Jesse Warren

    REGGAE music is not always easy to find in China, but last weekend Beijing was the place to be for lovers of this soothing Caribbean sound. Jamaican Julian Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, was in the capital during the Olympic Games for his first-ever performance in China.

    To the musical observer in China, it’s obvious that reggae music has not yet quite caught on. From cultural factors to lack of exposure, reggae clearly enjoys a very limited following. Nearly 30 years after his death, Bob’s status as a global icon is relatively unknown in China. But you wouldn’t have known that last weekend at the Star Live music club in Beijing.

    The house was packed as 33-year-old Julian took the stage Aug. 16. Young Chinese fans, some with dreadlocks (Marley’s hairstyle of choice), foreigners from around the globe, a large Jamaican contingent, and foreign media in town for the Olympics filled out the crowd. A young woman draped in a Rastafarian flag danced around jubilantly, singing along word for word, as other fans waved hands in the air.

    Marley belted out classic after classic of his father’s enduring tunes, including “One Love,” “Waiting in Vain,” “Exodus,” “Stir It Up” and more. Sprinkled between these popular hits were some of his own songs, packed with just as much energy and feeling as his father’s. Marley was animated on stage, singing and dancing passionately, involving the crowd through back and forth chants, and performing with a bright smile on his face.

    The action didn’t stop after the show at Star Live. An after-party followed suit at CJW, a glitzy nightclub in Beijing’s new CBD. Marley and the band showed up and mingled with the crowd for an hour before another performance. The band members were easygoing and thrilled to be in China for the first time. In between Marley obliging fan after fan with snapshot requests, I asked about his first trip to China, to which he replied: “My message for the people of China is about love.” The blood clearly continues from father to son.

    As much as a celebration of reggae music this night was, it was also a celebration for the country of Jamaica and their Olympic triumphs. Before the band’s second performance at CJW, an MC took the stage and proclaimed the victory of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt in the 100-meter sprint, then announced the free flow of drinks for all attendees. The crowd, now filled with a sizable number of Jamaican nationals and Olympic athletes, applauded in celebration and the party atmosphere rose a few more notches. Marley and company continued with another set of reggae music to the enjoyment of the exultant crowd.

    With the Olympic Games in town, Beijing has now seen more than a few international acts grace the city. This weekend, fellow Jamaican and dancehall icon Sean Paul will perform at Star Live, continuing the Jamaican-style celebrations during the Olympics. Beijing is no stranger to foreign musical acts, or even reggae for that matter. With several bars and clubs featuring reggae nights and several local reggae bands, your taste for reggae can usually be satisfied.

    Shenzhen is no slouch either when it comes to reggae, as several local venues help to fill this musical niche. True Color Guoqi greets visitors with a big poster of Bob as they step out of the elevator on the 25th floor. There, DJ Shabaga from Switzerland regularly plays reggae and dancehall hits, pulling a crowd of loyal customers. The house band at the live music mecca C:Union is also known to perform reggae tunes, and the DJ there plays Marley tunes almost every night in between sets.

    The 10th of 13 children (most of whom also perform and tour the world), Julian is faithfully following in the footsteps of his father. His visit to Beijing during the Olympics indicates the city’s expanding cultural diversity and the universal reach of reggae music. Moreover, the message of the Marley family’s music is well in line with the spirit of the Olympic slogan: One World, One Dream ... and One Love.