Live

Alborosie + Hempolics + Trojan Sound System: O2 Forum Kentish Town, London 22/3/19

Alborosie's rise to prominence is nothing short of extraordinary. The son of a former policeman who grew up in Sicily, Alberto D'Ascola has carved out a career as one of Jamaica's most successful reggae artists, recording an album alongside The Wailers and working with some of the genre's brightest lights, including Chronixx.

It was striking that the Italian attracted a diverse crowd of mixed ages, with notable support coming from the Hempolics and the Trojan Sound System at the Forum in Kentish Town. It's testimony to the quality of support that the crowd remained energetic when the headliner took to the stage shortly after midnight and proceeded to deliver a blistering set lasting nearly two hours.

At 41, Alborosie is at the pinnacle of his career, and the Rastafarian convert - whose dreadlocks now reach his knees - has built up an impressive catalogue of work since moving to Jamaica in 2001.

"Living Dread" had the crowd feeling good, and "No Cocaine", an impassioned ode to marijuana, was a sure-fire hit with the packed out audience.

"Real Story", "Police" and "Black Woman" demonstrated Alborosie can translate his studio work onto the stage, and he was certainly not lacking for energy.

Likewise, "Rasta Anthem" had the audience rocking late into the night.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the biggest cheer of the night was saved for "Kingston Town", the evergreen track which has become synonymous with the artist for the best part of a decade.

It's the second time I've seen him live, and both times he's shown why he has such a big following across the world and well worth catching live.

PHOTOS: DAVE BURKE
Words Dave Burke