Aba Shanti-I

Born Joseph Smith in Hackney, east London, to a family of Antiguan origin, Aba Shanti-I is part of the British sound system tradition rooted in reggae roots and dub. Initially active as a deejay under the name Jasmine Joe within Jah Tubby’s, Aba Shanti-I took over the sound system’s leadership in 1990 and developed a style centered on heavy, prominent bass, slow-to-medium rhythms, extended instrumental versions and a sonic approach that extends the Jamaican heritage into a London context. He performs regularly across the UK and Europe, maintaining a continuous presence at the Notting Hill Carnival since 1993 as well as at University of Dub, another key sound-system venue. Alongside live sessions, Aba Shanti-I produces his own recordings on the Falasha label, often with his brother Blood Shanti and the group Shanti-Ites. His discography notably includes Wrath of Jah Verse I, Pure Spirit and Jah Lightning and Thunder (all released in 1996), Jericho Walls (1999), Psalms From The Heart with Emmanuel Joseph (2010), Inna Sanctuary with Shandi-I (2011) and The Whole of Me – Testament I & II with Blood Shanti (2014).