VARIOUS ARTISTS - Fight The Fire: Digital Reggae. Conscious Roots And Dub In Nigeria 1986-91

Fight The Fire: Digital Reggae, Conscious Roots and Dub in Nigeria 1986–91 brings together fourteen rare cuts from Nigeria’s late-80s reggae underground, capturing a moment when Jamaican influence fused with local rhythms, politics, and social awareness. Compiled by Soundway Records, the collection maps a vibrant exchange between Lagos and Kingston, where digital reggae, deep roots, and dub became tools for expression and resistance.

Positioned as a companion to Soundway’s landmark Nigeria-focused compilations, Fight The Fire highlights a lesser-documented chapter of West African music history, foregrounding innovation and experimentation during a period of rapid technological and cultural change. Alongside underground producers and soundsystem culture, the set features key figures of the era, including Oby Onyioha, who delivers a striking interpretation of a Burning Spear classic, and Orits Williki, whose work reflects reggae’s global reach and local urgency.

An accompanying essay by Louis Chude-Sokei, author of Dr. Satan’s Echo Chamber, situates the music within its broader cultural and political context, underlining Nigeria’s crucial role in the international reggae story.