Country: Hungary
Irie Maffia is a Hungarian pop band formed in 2005, known for blending reggae and dancehall with hip hop, funk, and rock. The band also performs as a sound system under the name Irie Maffia Soundsystem, where András Kéri (MC Columbo) delivers ragga vocals over reggae/dancehall riddims played by band leader Márton Élő (Dermot) and Gáspár Horváth (Jumo Daddy) from vinyl records. History and Career Highlights Early Recordings and First LP (2006–2007) Irie Maffia’s first recording in 2006 used the Rodeo riddim, previously popularized by the German band Seeed, and was released by Germaica Records, Europe’s leading reggae/dancehall label. Their first LP, Fel a kezekkel! (“Hands In The Air”), premiered in December 2007 with a full house release party on the A38 party boat in Budapest. European Tours and Festivals (2007–2008) Following their debut, the band toured several European countries, including a performance at Rototom Sunsplash in Italy in 2007, where they placed second. Their first music video for the song Hands In The Air was released in spring 2008. That same year, they were nominated for MTV European Music Awards – Local Hero. Sound System Nights and International Events (2008–2013) Until February 2013, Irie Maffia Soundsystem hosted weekly club nights at Corvintető in Budapest, offering reggae to a dedicated Tuesday-night audience. They also performed at Amsterdam’s My City Budapest Festival, which showcased top Hungarian bands, and at a festival in Rovereto, Italy, marking the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I, representing Hungary. Community Engagement (2015) In 2015, the band participated in Vízibility, a one-day event organized by Foundation for Africa to raise awareness of water issues on the African continent. Ghanaian singer Sena Dagadu performed at the event alongside the band. Irie Maffia remains a prominent force in the European reggae scene, recognized for their energetic…
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