Title: The Chinese Reggae Scene You Didn’t Know Existed
Author: Bryan Grogan
Publication: RADII China (December 5, 2022)
Reviewed by: Reggae Cultural Movement
1️⃣ Introduction – A New Beat from Yunnan
In his insightful article “The Chinese Reggae Scene You Didn’t Know Existed,” Bryan Grogan introduces readers to the vibrant reggae movement blossoming in China’s Yunnan province. More than 15,000 kilometers from Jamaica, this unlikely scene has become a cultural bridge connecting the Caribbean’s rhythms with China’s ethnic heartland. Grogan’s reporting shines with curiosity and respect, revealing how reggae has taken root among the Wa people and beyond, embodying unity through rhythm and identity.
2️⃣ Summary – Roots, Rhythm & Identity in China
Grogan traces reggae’s deep connection to Chinese heritage — beginning with early Chinese-Jamaican pioneers such as Byron Lee, who helped shape the reggae sound, and Patricia Chin, the visionary behind Randy’s Studio 17.
He then spotlights Yunnan’s reggae collectives — especially Kawa, Shanren, and Puman — who fuse local folk traditions with reggae grooves. Through their music, ethnic groups like the Wa and Bulang express cultural pride and find parallels with reggae’s heartbeat and message of freedom.
As guitarist Tan Gaosheng of Puman notes, traditional rhythms of the Bulang people naturally align with reggae’s off-beat pulse — a testament to music’s universal language.
3️⃣ Reflection – Global One Drop Vibration
At Reggae Cultural Movement, we find Grogan’s piece inspiring — proof that reggae truly knows no borders. What’s happening in Yunnan mirrors reggae’s global story: marginalized communities using sound to express spirit, resistance, and joy.
From Kingston to Kunming, the rhythm speaks the same truth — oneness. The fusion of Jamaican reggae with Yunnan folk shows that reggae culture is not confined by geography but fueled by shared human experience.
We salute Bryan Grogan and the musicians of Kawa, Shanren, and Puman for nurturing this beautiful cultural exchange. Their work reminds us that reggae is not just a Jamaican gift — it’s a world rhythm for peace and identity.
We encourage our readers to explore the full article on RADII China and discover this powerful reflection of reggae’s expanding family.
✳️ Closing Tagline
💚 💛 ❤️ One Movement. One Culture. One Love.
