The Memberz will be sharing the love — and doubling your pleasure — on Valentine’s Day weekend. The Toronto “nu-reggae” band are staging for two Reggae Valentine Shows at JJ’s Bar & Lounge, 2814 Lakeshore West.
The Memberz are a collection of Toronto’s finest musicians who have chosen reggae as the genre in which they prefer to express themselves musically, lyrically, socially and politically. They draw upon the energy of the Jamaican-Canadian cross-cultural experience, supported by a throbbing bass, polished rhythms and powerful vocal harmony, to break the boundaries of traditional genre-fication.
Their latest single Addis Ababa, named for the capital city and largest metropolitan centre of Ethiopia, is a perfect example of the band’s live vibe. It connects a reggae dancefloor/party in Toronto (from ‘Sauga to Scarborough) with lyrics about Jah Rastafari himself, the late Ethiopian Emperor Hailie Selassie, considered by Rastafarians to be God’s representative on Earth. The song’s hypnotic groove and insistent vocal will keep bodies dancing, while the thoughtful content will keep minds engaged.
“Addis Ababa was created to get the crowd moving at our live performances,” say the bandmembers. “It was inspired by the iconic Sleng Teng riddim and the ’80s style of toasting. with a modern twist.”
Watch the lyric video for Addia Ababa below and find The Memberz — along with tickets to the Reggae Valentine Shows — on their website and Facebook.
