A guide by Asili Dub

Reggae Dub Music in Africa

Reggae left Jamaica and found a second home in Africa. Dub — the bass-heavy, echo-drenched way of remixing reggae — followed, carried by sound systems, radio and live bands. Today African dub has its own voice, and East Africa is one of its most exciting places.

How reggae and dub took root in Africa

Reggae's messages of freedom, unity and pride spoke directly to African listeners. Over the decades, artists across the continent made the music their own, singing in local languages and mixing in local rhythms. Dub grew alongside it through sound system culture: big speaker stacks, selectors and dancers gathering around deep bass.

Reggae and dub in Kenya and East Africa

In Kenya, reggae has a loyal following on radio, TV and in clubs, and Nairobi's live scene keeps growing. Across East Africa, festivals in Uganda and Zanzibar bring dub, reggae and electronic sound together. Coastal Swahili traditions like Taarab give the region a sound you won't hear anywhere else.

Asili Dub: Nairobi roots dub with a Swahili soul

Asili Dub is a Nairobi reggae and dub band that blends roots dub with Taarab melodies, Swahili lyrics and East African rhythm. Read the full band story, or watch releases and live sessions in The Journey.

Asili Dub across East Africa

Watch the band live — festival stages, sessions and releases, straight from the Asili Dub archive.

  • 2017

    Nyege Nyege Festival, Jinja — Uganda

    Asili Dub brought Nairobi roots dub to one of East Africa's biggest underground music festivals on the banks of the Nile. Watch the showcase from the festival.

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  • Live session

    Alliance Française, Nairobi

    An intimate live session at Alliance Française Nairobi — raw, close and full of the deep-bass warmth that defines the Asili Dub sound.

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  • Release

    Official music video launch

    The launch of Asili Dub's official music video — Swahili lyricism, roots dub bass and East African rhythm on full display.

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  • TV

    NTV Kenya — Jamrock

    Asili Dub featured on Jamrock, NTV Kenya's reggae programme, bringing live African dub to a national audience.

Keep exploring African dub

Follow monthly reggae and sound system news from Kenya, Africa and the world on Dub Connect, or ask SIMBA, our AI guide, anything about the band.

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