Reggae Story.

Bob Marley would have been proud if he had met Niikoney Obom. Sporting his dreadlocks down to his shoulders and a drum wrapped around his waist, Obom, a member of Ghanaian reggae group United Abbysinia, prophesizes about the idea of one love as he sings to visitors at the Labadi Beach in Accra.

Obom, who goes by Krasta when he´s performing on stage, believes that reggae goes beyond its musical definition. Like him, many Ghanaians interpret reggae as a culture in itself and a way of life.

“Reggae is the gospel,” says Obom with a smile that exposes the gap between his two front teeth. “When you have love issues or mental issues you need reggae,” he says with conviction.

Obom and the other band member, who refused to give his real name, but goes by Rasta Revolution, have been playing together since the 1980´s. They write their own songs, which have been inspired by several musicians including the late Michael Jackson. As of now, music is their only occupation and they are fully devoted to spreading the message that reggae encompasses.

“I like the reggae culture, because they believe in equality,” says Danny Sodatonou, who works as a waiter at Labadi Beach. “They embrace everyone, no matter what religion they are from because they believe in one love.”

“I listen to the words [in songs] because reggae music inspires me,” says Gershon Lumor, a 36- year-old Ghanaian man, who frequents Reggae Night at Labadi Beach on Wednesdays.

Rebecca Philips, originally from Chicago, and a self-proclaimed reggae fan, says that, “most locals like reggae but they don´t like Rastafarians and many times these go hand in hand.” Rastafarians, who have often been stigmatized as drug addicts, are commonly rejected by society.

However, Teresa Kumah, a science student who works at a clothing stand at Labadi Beach, claims that she admires reggae singers because they “talk about truth. They say what they want to say and they say it loudly.”