Burning Spear

Burning Spear--born Winston Rodney in 1945 in St. Ann's, Jamaica--easily shares the title "The Father of Reggae" with his musical contemporary Bob Marley. Since 1968, Spear's music has defined the genre of "roots reggae," which emphasizes Jamaica's historical links to Africa, the self-determination teachings of Marcus Garvey, and black consciousness themes.


^{Burning Spear - African Postman}

"I don't know how other people see music," Burning Spear reflects. "Some people might see it based upon money, some people might see music based upon opportunity and access. But I see music as life. I see music as inspiration."


^{Burning Spear - Pick Up The Pieces}

Over the course of his career, Spear has released over 20 albums and has been nominated for five Grammy awards. And he remains one of the few reggae pioneers still working and influencing the people today.


^{Burning Spear - Clip from the documentary 'RISE UP'}

Rodney took the name Burning Spear, after the nickname of Jomo Kenyatta, who was jailed by a colonial British government in Africa but rose to become the first president of Kenya.