Ras Ash 1st promotes unity with ‘1 August Town Vol 5’ EP
Rastafarian reggae artiste Ras Ash 1st is spreading his philosophy of unity through music beyond the borders of his beloved August Town community.
To this end, he will be releasing a six track EP dubbed ‘1 August Town Volume 5’ which features collaborations with various artistes from inner-city communities across the Corporate Area.
“I wanted every song to be a collab, I want to have guidance on the project, you can’t allow the project to run wild. The EP has a singular entrenched message: peace and love through music. Other than myself and Sizzla, none of the youths come from August Town, but from communities like Nannyville, Red Hills Road, New York, Spanish Town,” Ras Ash 1st said.
Some of the songs on the EP include Ras Ash 1st’s ‘Let’s Get It Going’ featuring Sizzla, ‘The Wind’ featuring MF Sugar, ‘Rich’ featuring CI Nation and ‘Journey’ featuring Harry Toddler.
He had previously released a ‘1 August Town’ album with artistes exclusively from August Town and organised under a theme of ending the gang violence in the war-torn community several years ago.
“I am spreading the message to surrounding communities and sharing a helping hand to other artistes. I didn’t want to close the ‘1 August Town’ project ’cause that would mean closing the vision of community-building and unity; we want more of that,” he said.
The EP will be released on May 15. Other artistes with whom Ras Ash 1st has collaborated include Demo Page from Florida, Harry Toddler and CI Nation from Nannyville, Danzino from Spanish Town.
“I have been preparing this manifestation from about 2017. Peace, love and forgiveness are the manifestations and backbone which bring healing to a wounded community. The project was a turning point towards a greater August Town, so that my community can live again in one harmony, one August Town and I want that unity and peace for other communities,” he said.
Ras Ash 1st’s other projects include On a Mission/Bankrobber which featured Sizzla, Norris Man, Lutan Fyah, and Steve Machette. The rhythm project was released in 2001.
