Alborosie

Alberto d’Ascola, known professionally as Alborosie, was born in Marsala, Sicily, Italy, and later relocated to Kingston, Jamaica, to immerse himself in the roots of reggae and Rastafari culture. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, he began his music career as a teenager in the Italian reggae band Reggae National Tickets before launching a solo career in the early 2000s. In Jamaica, he worked as a sound engineer and producer, collaborating with notable artists such as Gentleman and Ky-Mani Marley. His stage name, “Alborosie,” was reclaimed from a once-negative nickname, symbolizing his determination to transform adversity into artistic strength. Alborosie released his debut album Soul Pirate in 2006, featuring popular tracks like “Kingston Town” and “Rastafari Anthem,” followed by Escape From Babylon in 2009. These releases established him as a major figure in modern reggae, leading to extensive international touring. Between 2010 and 2014, he released several influential albums, including Dub Clash, 2 Times Revolution, and Sound The System, along with multiple dub versions. In 2011, he made history as the first white artist to win the MOBO Award for Best Reggae Act, cementing his global recognition. From 2015 onward, Alborosie focused on collaborations, remasters, and concept-driven projects. He worked closely with legendary producers and bands such as King Jammy, The Wailers, and Roots Radics, releasing critically acclaimed albums like Unbreakable and Dub for the Radicals. His eighth studio album, For The Culture (2021), was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic using vintage analogue equipment and featured collaborations with prominent reggae artists. The album received widespread praise and earned a fan-choice nomination for Album of the Year, highlighting Alborosie’s enduring influence in reggae music.