Marseille’s legendary Le Molotov venue was transformed into a pulsing epicenter of reggae vibration earlier this week as the Roots and Culture 3 tour continued its European journey. With a powerful lineup featuring the fiery Lutan Fyah, the ever-charismatic Jah Mason, and rising songstress Zhayna, the night became more than a concert—it was a cultural celebration.
The energy was magnetic from the outset, as patrons from across France and beyond filled the space, united by a love for conscious music and roots rhythms. From the first strum of the guitar to the final encore, the air was thick with anticipation, nostalgia, and a pure, unfiltered love for Jamaican music.
Lutan Fyah, a seasoned performer with a catalogue steeped in Rastafarian teachings and social commentary, wasted no time connecting with the crowd. Blazing through tracks like “Rasta Reggae Music” and “Selassie I Beat Dem,” he lit the venue ablaze with passion and precision. But when he launched into “Bossman,” it was as if time paused. Climbing atop a speaker and gripping the rafters, Fyah roared out the anthem, igniting a frenzy of raised fists, gun fingers, and echoes of approval that shook the walls of Le Molotov.
In a surprise mid-set moment, Jah Mason re-emerged from backstage, joining Lutan Fyah in a tag-team performance that sent the crowd into overdrive. His rough-edged vocals brought “Slip N Slide” to life with gritty power, before he handed off to Zhayna, who flowed seamlessly into “I Love Your Way.” The handoff between artists felt organic, like an ancestral ritual shared under stage lights, each artist adding a new layer to the tapestry of the night.
Zhayna’s stage presence was undeniable. She floated effortlessly between soulful ballads and more assertive dancehall-infused numbers, captivating the crowd with “Trip,” “Runaway,” and “Go.” Her confidence, coupled with her dynamic vocal control, turned heads and stole hearts. Women in the audience—especially older fans—nodded in solidarity and joy, welcoming a feminine energy that often feels underrepresented in roots reggae circles.
Earlier in the evening, Jah Mason had already set a powerful tone with hits like “My Princess Gone” and the introspective “Wheat and Tares.” His messages of spirituality, agriculture, and peaceful resistance resonated deeply with the Marseille crowd, many of whom seemed to connect with his Boboshanti-centered worldview. The farmer anthems—“Farmer Man,” “From Wah Day Ya,” and “Farmer Man Part Twice”—landed particularly well, drawing loud cheers from reggae lovers clearly attuned to his message of empowerment and land ownership.
As the night came to a close, the calls for an encore were thunderous. Lutan Fyah returned to the stage to deliver “Mama’s Love,” a heartfelt closer that felt like a warm embrace after a night of lyrical fire and spiritual awakening.
The Roots and Culture 3 tour continues its trek across Europe, but the Marseille stop will no doubt linger in the memories of those who witnessed it. It wasn’t just a concert—it was a reminder of reggae’s global resonance and the powerful voices carrying its torch.
