Buning Spear at the ZMF 2026

The Jamaican musician Burning Spear is one of the most influential voices in reggae history: for over six decades, he has embodied a powerful musical vision that goes far beyond the boundaries of the genre. With his unmistakable voice and deep-rooted message of self-determination, cultural identity and unity, he has influenced generations of listeners worldwide.
Burning Spear began his career in the late 1960s after a meeting with Bob Marley, who brought him to Studio One - one of the most successful Jamaican labels. There, the first classics such as "Burning Spear" and "Rocking Time" were created. In the 1970s and 1980s, he became a formative figure in roots reggae.
With albums such as "Social Living", "Hail H.I.M." and "Resistance", he set standards and combined roots reggae with influences from jazz, funk and rock. Together with his partner Sonia Rodney, he founded the label Burning Music Records, through which they released numerous albums, CDs, DVDs and vinyl productions.
Burning Spear receives numerous awards for his work. He was nominated twelve times for a Grammy and received two awards for his albums "Calling Rastafari" and "Jah Is Real". In 2007, the Jamaican state honored him with the Order of Distinction for his outstanding services to music.
In addition to his musical work, Burning Spear has been socially active for decades. Among other things, he campaigns against apartheid in South Africa, supports the struggle for independence in Zimbabwe and promotes awareness of the teachings of the pan-African thinker Marcus Garvey. His commitment against racism and for social justice is a central component of his artistic self-image.