Ascending like the Sky fire (sun) in the East, The Uprising Roots is borne out of Rockfort, East Kingston. The Uprising signifies defiance and assertiveness in actions to bring forth progressive and positive change amongst humanity. This band of musicians’ mission is to use the power of their music to manifest this positive change. Located on Fairbourne Road, the studio and band headquarters is a real family home that is shared by the band members, artistes and often visitors from overseas. Reminiscent of the “old skool” studio “family vibes” where everyone worked, rest and play together. Cooking is a shared “family affair” and there is always someone on hand to prepare the meal. The “Element of Surprise” as they have been named is no ordinary band. “Kush” Rashawn McAnuff (Drums/Lead vocal), started his career touring with his father, Recording Artiste Winston Mc Anuff. “Kush” who learned his skills from some of the best in the business, “Horsemouth”, Sly Dunbar and Carlton Barrett. Kush also the lead singer for the band, is not your average drummer at all! “Pot a Rice” Ruel Ashburn (Bass/Engineer/BV) started playing music at an early age first learning the drums, later moving on to learn guitar, keyboard and eventually the bass. Inspired by the legendary “Bagga Bass” on a visit toTuff Gong studio with Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith. “Pot a Rice” is also the Engineer for the Uprising studio. “Akinsanya” Lloyd Palmer (Dub Poet/Keyboard /BV), started his musical journey into the reggae arena as a “Poet” and was inspired by the Virtuoso Jackie Mittoo, Robbie Lyn, Linton “Kwesi” Johnson and Mutabaruka, in nurturing, honing and fusing his artistic talents. “Akinsanya” being a ‘Dub-poet” brings another ingredient into the musical mix. “Junior” Joseph Sutherland (Percussionist/BV)) started out as a Nyabinghi drummer and since working with The Uprising Roots has been experimenting “outside of the drum” with various instruments, pot covers and whatever else he can get his hands on. “Bopee” Winston Bowen, guitarist extraordinaire, international session guitarist, best known for his work with the 809 band. Conceptualized on 1st January 2006 the band core members met by jamming together as musicians playing together “Inna de Yard”. “Kush” recalls seeing Earl “Chinna” Smith, a friend of his father Winston McAnuff, a fellow veteran Musician ,that introduced him to Pot a Rice. Chinna said “si yuh drummer deh” a “Rice” had been looking for a drummer to work with. This gave birth to the initial seasoning of Drum and Bass been infused together Uprising style. Another veteran in the business that was influential on the band is Sugar Minott as It was at his studio that a lot of the early practice and rehearsals took place. It was here that they would meet to rehearse and from here the start of their performing together on shows with Sugar Minott. “Kush” on his musical journey met percussionist 2 “Junior Congo” and it was decided to add some extra spice to the blend by bringing him into the band. Both in 2005 and 2006 they were the accompanying band at Sugar Minott’s “Reggae in the Hills” St Catherine, Jamaica. In 2007 they begun touring with Gyptian to “Guadeloupe, French Guyana and Suriname”. “Jeffrys” joined the band for a tour to Barbados and Suriname again with Gyptian in 2008. Also in 2008 the band worked on “Black my Story” in Jamaica alongside a whole host of artistes including Natural Black,Turbulence, Lenn Hammond, Eazy Wayne, Hero, Nesbeth, Lutan Fyah and Sugar Minott. The band performed with Duane Stephenson, Nikiesha Barnes and Toots Hibbert at the CTV “Breakfast with the Stars” tribute to Jimmy Cliff and on “Roots Reggae Rising” in Kingston, most recent of all Protéjé’s “Seven years Itch”, “Bands Incorprorated 2”, John Holt in Negril Jamaica, Iration Ites – The Itesperience, H.I.M Haile Selasse I RR 80th Coronation Celebration and Taurus Riley and Friends Concert, Bob marley Tribute concert, JARIA Reggae Month celebration at EMCVPA. To date The Uprising Roots has performed with many different artistes. Their diverse membership and exposure to many different genres of music makes this a dynamic band, able to adapt to meet the needs of many different audiences. The Uprising Roots is a performance band in their own right and work with their own label artistes such as Vania Colours, Lee Tafari, Field Marshal and Earth Warrior. As the owners of their own studio they are also a production band and can be called upon to compose rhythms or for live recording sessions. Currently “The Uprising Roots” has released their new singles “Know Yourself”, Brighter Days, Skyfiya and Brightest Light on the ‘TruMusik Records Label’ and is working on the eventual release of their much anticipated debut album. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.