Reggae has always been more than music. Born from the drumbeat of resistance and the heartbeat of Jamaica, it represents a lineage of tribal wisdom. From the pioneering voices of Desmond Dekker and Jimmy Cliff to the international call of Bob Marley, it carries a timeless call of activism fueled by the yearning for spiritual liberation. It is medicine for the people.
This year, that spirit pulsed strongly in the heart of Oregon, as the Reggae Rise Up festival brought three days of sacred soulful music to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. Beneath wide-open blue skies, families, elders and youth gathered to bask in the sound of upliftment. It was more than a concert; it was a tribal convergence where Cannabis smoke rose like incense, hearts bubbled with joy and souls reconnected through the healing vibration of reggae.
The Music: Iconic and Eclectic
The lineup was nothing short of monumental. Day one headliners, Stephen Marley and Damian “Jr Gong” Marley carried their father’s eternal torch with fire and reverence, setting the tone for a weekend of heart-expanding performances. Iconic musicians Steel Pulse, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Iration, Fortunate Youth, Collie Buddz, Pepper, The Movement, J Boog, The Elovaters and The Expendables all delivered sets that lifted spirits sky-high. A timeless highlight for this OG came when B-Real of Cypress Hill joined forces with Slightly Stoopid, merging reggae grooves with hip-hop swagger, a collaboration that lit up the stage like a ceremonial blaze.
The festival also embraced a vibrant Hawaiian presence. Eli-Mac, Kolohe Kai, Inna Vision and the graceful dance troupe Kaliloa O’ Kaleo’onalani infused the grounds with island soul, hula rhythms and Polynesian pride, reminding us that reggae’s heartbeat flows across the Pacific as strongly as it does through Jamaica.
Hip-hop and Indie Vibes
One of the unique strengths of the Reggae Rise Up festivals is diversity. Beyond reggae’s steady pulse, the weekend included powerful hip-hop and indie-rap performances that blended seamlessly. Cypress Hill, with their psychedelic and hip-hop sound, was a stoner highlight. Indie-rap favorites Atmosphere and Prof brought Midwest grit and lyrical storytelling, while Lupe Fiasco elevated the crowd with sharp verses and conscious flow. Then there was Matisyahu, the Jewish reggae-rap mystic, whose performance tied together hip-hop cadence with spiritual chant, a reminder that genre is no barrier when the heart stands in truth.
Cannabis: A Sacred Flame
Cannabis was unmistakably woven into the festival’s atmosphere and not in a hushed, secretive way, but as a celebrated and normalized presence. Joints and blunts were sparked on stage, passed through the crowd and shared backstage. The openness around Cannabis was refreshing, a sign of mutual respect for its place in reggae’s culture.
Ganja was celebrated as reggae’s spiritual ally. Together they form a sacred duet: reggae the rhythm, ganja the sacrament. It felt as though the plant itself was a co-conspirator in the upliftment of the community. Reggae and ganja share a symbiotic relationship, as both are medicines that help ease minds, open hearts and raise vibrations.
Community rising
Like Cannabis, the generational bond of reggae is rooted in its ability to draw people into something larger than themselves. At Reggae Rise Up Oregon, that force was palpable everywhere. The crowd swaying together, the impromptu jam circles at campsites and the joyful dancing under a starlit sky. There was an intergenerational flow of energy, and the festival layout invited togetherness. Everywhere you looked, you felt the family vibes. Children danced barefoot in the grass, elders found shade and smiled in quiet joy, and strangers became kin through shared rhythm.
Backstage, the familial threads ran deeper. Artists and managers greeted one another like cousins at a reunion, with hugs, laughter, passing of the dutchie and affirming each other’s gifts. That spirit of collaboration was as powerful as the headlining acts themselves. Many artists jumped onto one another’s sets, proving reggae’s greatest gift is a community united.
Follow the Beat: Future Rise Up
The Reggae Rise Up movement continues to expand, with festivals announced for 2025 and 2026 across the nation. From Oregon to Florida, Vegas to Utah, the community is growing. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the vibration. Each event promises the same blend of righteous music, cultural diversity and Cannabis-friendly community.
So, if you know what’s good for you, OGs, I encourage you to follow the movement, show up and support these conscious artists who are carrying reggae’s eternal flame into a new generation. In a world hungry for healing, reggae reminds us of the truth: We are one love, one heart, one people.
