By: Sista Irie, host of “Conscious Vibes” and reggae photographer

For those who might not have known Taj Weekes before the massive Austin Reggae Festival, he has become a local hero. Taj closed the show Saturday night [April 16] to a crowd estimated at nearly 30,000 people. Taj was the ideal artist to tie his conscious messages to a festival focused on reducing starvation.

The night was warm, the sound was crisp while Taj Weekes & Adowa kept the sea of fans moving and singing in perfect unity and love. The show was reasonably priced with the additional ask of each fan to donate two cans of food. These donations result in over half a million meals for those in crisis. The fans now know reggae music as the gateway for nurturing and caring for humankind.

As Goodwill Ambassador for the Caribbean, Taj projected the sensibilities that reggae music brings to the hearts of those who need hope and faith. Taj delivered with pure excellence while observers like myself embraced the night with tears of joy. ~ Sista Irie

Thanks to to the nearly 30,000 fans who came out to see us at the Austin Reggae Fest and for uploading your videos to YouTube. 

See y’all soon Texas! ~ Taj, Radss, Adoni, John, Cornel, Valerie