The countdown is on for the 7th annual staging of Reggae Culture Salute. All roads lead to Nazareth Performance Center, Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, November 5th for the annual celebration of the anniversary of the coronation of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen of Ethiopia and the unique relationship between rasta, reggae, Selassie and Jamaica.
 
Simba (Young Lion) Award
For 2011, the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music (CPR) salutes the future of roots reggae by presenting Dubtonic Kru, Global Battle of the Bands Champion for 2010-2011. For many, their historic win earlier this year in Malaysia where they prevailed over more than 4,000 other bands made them the “Usian Bolt” of roots reggae music. Dubtonic Kru will be the first recipient of CPR’s newly established Simba (young lion) Award in honor of their dedication to the tradition of roots reggae music.
 
Another young lion making an appearance at Reggae Culture Salute 2011 is cultural artist, IWayne who debuted at #5 on the Billboard Reggae Chart with his recent release “Life Teachings” on VP Records. IWayne has consistently penned and performed uplifting roots reggae music for his fans the world over.  
 
Pinnacle Award
Big Youth who received congressional honors at last year’s Reggae Culture Salute is back by popular demand after last year’s exhilarating performance and will receive CPR’s 2011 Pinnacle Award for Excellence for his more than 40 years of being a pioneer in the industry. Junior “Gabu” Wedderburn with his Ancient Vibration ensemble of traditional nyahbinghi drummers and dancers also returns to captivate and enlighten the audience.
 
The multimedia evening will premiere the documentary Bad Friday-Rastafari after Coral Gardens and showcase emerging artists Major Daps, Simone G, Coozie Mellers and Qshan Deya from the member ranks of CPR.