14.06.2013, AKASAA Festival, Wienerberg Vienna

Legends amongst the legends. Heart felt when Ijahman sung a song out to ex President Nelson Mandela. Just having heard of his ailment and being hospitalized. Wishing him a good recovery.

His performance for the Viennese Massive was well appreciated, his humility allowed even the crowd to request songs to be sung and his kindness brought everyone to sing along to their request. Having had the opportunity to see him perform was heart felt. It's really is not an everyday experience.

Ijahman Levi is by far one of the very best original, authentic conscious roots reggae artist and writers over the past few decades. Still producing pearls of reggae songs at a steady rate, musically as well as lyrically.
Fascinated by the amount of people who are familiar with his music, I'd say too few know this artist.

The scarce availability of Ijahman's CDs and LPs may play a role in this. Ijahman Levi albums contain only the very best tracks and his has cut no corners on what he delivers.
Ijahman Levi's early albums "Haile I Hymne" and "Are We A Warrior", as well as the little more recent "Africa", can be considered essential classic reggae albums, some of the later material could become such if only more people had the chance to hear and listen to songs like "Lilly of My Valley", "Mr. CB", "Tell It To the Children", "Beauty and The Lion", etc, etc.

Live on stage Ijahman's music flows with the same power, originality, convincing and inspiring way towards his audience. Its safe to say that there are songs that one can find oneself moving to just dancing feeling and enjoying the flow and rhythm. His music appeals to all men, women, young and old, black and white.

His created no borders but found a medium to destroy all bounderies that separate mankind. Ijahman's music and work have covered a range of conscious and religious roots reggae, historical and actual themes, love songs all written and performed by him in his own unique style.

In our videos below, a short talk between Prof. Dr. Werner Zips, Ijahman Levi and DJ Taff can be viewed. Ijahman Levi does not like journalists much. Ijahman Levi always joked around with us from Africanlife.eu and did not afford us an opportunity for an interview, so we were more than happy about the possibility having been able to record some parts of the talk until  Ijahman Levi starts joking again "Is this a interview?" LOL

Photos by Yeke, words written by Lauren