Words by Richard “Treats” Dryden
Hope is fleeting when social unrest is rampant: The barbaric shooting of Black people in America, violent retaliation against police, and the latest attacks in France seem to suggest there’s no end to the divisions in our society. Against this backdrop, Agent Sasco’s video for “Stronger” conveys its own story of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Overcoming obstacles is the overarching theme of the song, one which director Ras Kassa applies to the story of an independent banana farmer in Jamaica. The ambitious farmer has his latest harvest stolen after his car breaks down. His struggle is real given the jarring fact that five corporations control 80% of the world’s banana sales. A small fraction of money trickles down to farmers, but it’s still not enough.
Agent Sasco checked in with LargeUp about the impact of “Stronger,” one of the featured singles on his latest album, Theory of Reggaetivity. “The song has been getting a great reception since the release of the album,” he says. “A lot of people have reached out by Instagram and Twitter saying how much of an inspiration the song has been and how moved they are by the video—a few were moved to tears. As much as I wrote and performed the song, it still is an inspiration to me.” Sasco is currently spreading the positive vibe from February’s Theory of Reggaetivity on a world tour, which is scheduled to make stops at this year’s Sumfest in Jamaica and the Welcome to Jamrock Cruise. See more dates below the video.
Jul 22 in Montego Bay, Jamaica @ Reggae Sumfest Festival
Jul 29 in Bersenbruck, Germany @ Reggae Jam Festival
Jul 30 in Dortmund, Germany @ Juicy Beats Festival
Aug 5 in Friedberg, Germany Reggae in Wulf Festival
Aug 6 in Stockholm, Sweden @ En Arena
Aug 7 Garberville, CA @ Reggae On The River
Aug 8 in Catanzaro, Italy @ Percival
Aug 10 in Sampieri, Italy @ Pata Pata
Aug 12 Pfullendorf, Germany @ Keep It Real Jam Festival
Aug 13 in Benicassim, Spain @ Rototom Sunsplash Festival
Aug 14 in Casalabate, Italy @ Casalabate Festival
Aug 18 in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic @ Hip Hop Kemp Festival
Aug 19 in Tolmin, Slovenia @ Overjam Festival
Aug 28 in Philadelphia @ Philadelphia Jerk Festival
Nov 14 in Miami, FL @ Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise