 |
 |
|
 |
Primarily, Rastar
Music is an international reggae music company, with
agencies in Jamaica, Canada, UK, Malawi and Tanzania.
Originally, based in Canada, the company was established
in 1987, specialising in concert promotions, artist management
and booking agent for international reggae artistes. By
utilising our musical base across the world, Rastar
Music is now committed to youth development projects
in Africa. |
 |
|
|
Rastar Music has organised
reggae concerts in Jamaica, Canada, Switzerland Germany,
Holland, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zimbabwe, with performances
from international artistes including Bunny Wailer, Junior
Ried, Ini Kamoke, Dennis Brown, Frankie Paul, Mighty Diamonds,
Iqulah Rastafari,
Kulcha Knox,
Junior Delgado etc.
Most notably, in 1997, Rastar
Music organised the REGGAE
UNITES AFRICA Tour – the company’s first
charity concerts in Ethiopia and Malawi, which earmarked
people development organisations. In Ethiopia, Rastar
Music, beneficiaries were the AMARA, TIGERI, OROMO
and Southern people development agencies, and a local
NGO – Self-Help. In Malawi, the target shifted towards
the AIDS Awareness campaign, organised by the government.
In 1998, in association with a local partner, Rastar
Music broadened its business ventures to create
the first independent commercial radio station in Malawi,
namely Power 101FM
– the company’s first African base. FM101
is a music and sports radio station, with specialised
programmes aimed to promote and empower the youth through
social education and health development.
During the past six years, FM101
has become the number one radio station in Malawi and
has gained strong reputable links in the country as well
as within the southern African music industry. |
 |
|
|
Having established a strong business foundation in the
southern part of Africa, Rastar
Music has embarked on developing a community project,
based in Tanzania, namely the Creative
Arts Centre, a training academy, which specialises
in enhancing creative skills of students in music and
art.
The principal aim for the centre is to provide creative
students the opportunity to improve their artistic skills
in music and sculpture. The centre will be equipped with
a recording studio, sculpture facilities and a variety
of musical instruments for student use.
In keeping to the commitment of the continued progress
and participation of youth in African
development, Rastar Music
has created a charity arm, AYUTU
– African Youths Unite Towards
Upliftment. The birth of AYUTU
was conceptualised to integrate music as a tool for development.
Additionally, it aims to strengthen the vibrant indigenous
African music and arts culture and to foster its local
talent, with a programme that will educate, advise, support
and promote the industry to the global market. In networking,
Rastar envisions the African youth alliances coming together
to contribute their positive input for the greater development
of the continent.
During the first half of 2004, AYUTU,
in association with a local NGO, Everyone and sponsored
by UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and The
Ford Foundation, plan to launch their first 2-day Youth
Forum in Africa. The conference will take place in Tanzania,
where invited youth delegates across the continent will
discuss, debate and express creative initiatives to develop
African youth culture.
AYUTU also plans to launch
its music educational workshops in Ghana, Tanzania and
South Africa, late 2004, with the collaboration of government
agencies, private investors and sponsors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
