Tune of the Week: RIP Jah Shaka

On April 12, 2023 Jah Shaka the Zulu Warrior passed away. Born in Jamaica, Shaka was a youth of the Windrush Generation that moved to South East London looking for more opportunity. Shaka‘s sound system became a communal and spiritual focal point for many expats from the West Indies in south London, immortalized on celluiloid in the 1980 film “Babylon”. Jah Shaka focused on playing roots music, both new and old. Having never strayed from this path he was often seen as “militant”. Not only did his sound keep expats in tune with music coming from their homeland, but he also helped the burgeoning local scene. Just about every dub producer from London in the last forty years owes a debt of gratitude to the great Jah Shaka, a true champion for their style of music. Long live the Zulu Warrior!