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The Rototom Sunsplash has just announced the first names for the 20th edition lineup and it could not do it otherwise than with three big jamaican artists who will bring the history, the present and the future of reggae on the Main Stage: U Roy, Luciano and Protoje.So it starts to take form this edition really special for the Rototom, the 20th, that will take place from August 17 through the 24 in Benicàssim (Spain): an unforgettable experience long 8 days.

The Rototom 2013 tickets are already on sale,on the official website and in the usual dealers, cut price 140€ (180€ with camping)until Sunday 10th of March. Starting from Monday 11th of March through 10th of May, available tickets for the whole last of the festival will cost 160€ (200€ with camping).

U ROY
Without the input of U Roy as the father of “deejay style”, the Jamaican style that preceded American rap, reggae music would have been very different. His real name is Ewart Berckfort and after an apprenticeship period as a young selector in various sound systems, his life changed when a trend started in the dancehalls of playing dubplates with no vocals.

From this moment U Roy began to experiment with phrasing, fitting his lyrics to these instrumental discs, with a brilliant response from the dancehalls. Towards the end of the sixties, Duke Reid invited him to his studio to record his first work, and due to songs such as “Version Galore” or “Rule the Nation” it was a resounding success.

Renowned producers such as Lee Perry and Keith Hudson feel and understand the power of the deejay style and also recorded some of U Roy’s first works. This veteran DJ was a true pioneer in the seventies whose beautiful albums, loaded with Rasta lyrics, went on to be produced by Prince Tony Robinson and distributed worldwide under the Virgin label.

U Roy is the founder of Sturgav, a legendary sound system that launched stars such as Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin and Brigadier Jerry in the eighties.

U Roy’s latest album “Pray fi di people” was released at the end of last year and includes duets with artists such as Marcia Griffiths, Horace Andy and Tarrus Riley and signified his return after almost a decade of silence.

LUCIANO
With his elegant presence, a voice full of spirituality and the social consciousness evident in so many of his songs, Luciano is one of the indisputable heirs of the spirit of ’70s root reggae, linked with artists such as Bob Marley or Peter Tosh.

The return of “conscious” lyrics to the dancehall scene is the early ’90s is due, largely, to his brilliant records, released under the Exterminator label, whose major hit his without doubt the album “Where Is The Life”. Released in 1995, the album is still a regular and very popular part of his live concerts.

Due to his talent and success, Luciano has become a sought after singer by some very important producers. His numerous singles, always of a very high standard, succeeded in invading the market, constituting the base of brilliant albums that continue to be loved.

His extremely high standard is reflected in recent work such as “United States of Africa”, “Jah is my navigator” and “Rub a dub market”, songs in which he reflects on his Rasta inspiration with some of his best poetry.

The Jamaican government awarded Luciano the honour of the Order of Distinction in 2007, in recognition of his artistic merits.

PROTOJE
Protoje is one of the most important contributors to the return to Roots & Culture in Jamaica, a movement linked to a relatively young group of singers and bands.

Born in 1981, his real name is Oje Ken Ollivierre and he is the son of the Jamaican singer Loma Bennet, known for her hit reggae version of “Breakfast in Bed” by Dusty Springfield, released in 1972.

Another significant relation of Protoje is his cousin Donovan Bennet, a young, successful Jamaican producer and owner of the label Don Corleon, which Protoje has worked with since 2010 when he recorded his first album “The 7 Year Itch”, released in 2011.