Filmed on location in London, the video features the new song Survivor featuring lyrics and vocal by Selassie, and a riddim crafted at the Ariwa Studios by producer Joe Ariwa, son of the renowned Mad Professor.

Survivor is dedicated to the memory of late great drummer & singer Drummie Zeb aka Angus Gaye of Aswad fame who sadly passed away in September 2022. Survivor features the iconic instrumental Warrior Charge which Ariwa has boldly revived since it first appeared in the classic 1980 film Babylon.

“It was an honour to collaborate with Joe Ariwa on such an iconic instrumental. We both know how much Aswad’s music means to reggae fans, so we gave it everything we had to get it right.”

The video was made in several contrasting settings, including Ridley Road Market and Wick Woodland, Hackney.

“It was so much fun making the video,” states Askala. “I loved performing it in front of local people as they went about their everyday business. I think the video really captures the true atmosphere of London and its people.”

“I broke my leg in Greece in July, but didn’t want to let my fans down at Rototom, so just kept positive and managed to perform the song with as much energy as I normally do! I guess that’s the essence of the new song Survivor!”

Askala was the youngest ever backing singer in the history of The Wailers band at the age of just twenty. She completed two European tours with the band, including UK, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Germany.

Her first single, Warrior Empress, reached number 1 on CVM Television music video charts in Jamaica in 2007.

As a solo artist, Askala has performed at many international reggae festivals including Italy, Spain, and Cape Town, South Africa. She has regularly opened shows for leading reggae artists such as Rita Marley, Chronixx, Alborosie, and Sugar Minott.

Joe Ariwa’s first touch with music was at the age of two, when he learnt how to plug in an electric guitar amp into a mixing desk. Joe grew up in and around music at the Ariwa Studios where he developed his technical skills under the guidance of his father, the renowned music producer Mad Professor. Having unlimited access to Ariwa Sound’s vast archives, Joe is passionate about rediscovering and re-imagining vintage music material that deserves to be heard by contemporary audiences.

(Photos contributed)