It was a dark, humid night in Orlando, Florida where New York-based legendary skateboarding/band photographer/ videographer/ influencer Jeff Pliskin found himself with a mission: the mission was to capture all-star musicians Gary Dread, Rick Haze, and Josh Swain in their element for the "Rockaz" video. It's an official announcement of their freshly new Rockaz Collective, manifested to encourage and exemplify the message of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). A message unified by the RasTafari, reggae movement.
Their story doesn't start there. Pliskin is best known as the originator of
Raised Fist Propaganda, aka RFP Music and Culture – "promoting nothing but positive vibes through the visual...Rising up for a collective positive vibe" since 2006. It was over 10 years ago when he first met drummer/ producer/ vocalist Gary Dread, well before Gary joined
The Movement. Gary and his Movement bandmate, J Smiles, were playing in punk bands back in Philadelphia when Jeff was introduced to them by Prowla Owla from
Fear Nuttin Band. It was a great, natural friendship that formed and continues today. Rick and Jeff met separately in 2018, years later, while RFP filmed the video for a track Haze produced,
Inna Vision's "Survivor."
Originally,
Gary Dread &
Rick Haze dropped "
Rockaz," in January 2021. It was a highly anticipated 8-track digital release that contained some amazing collaborations. It includes hypnotic verses from the aforementioned Josh Swain of The Movement, some butter-smooth harmonies and leads from
Gonzo (vocals/guitar for Tribal Seeds)... The Jamaican artist
Tuff Like Iron speaks up as a catalyst for social change on the track, "All Year." Inna Vision adds some foundational roots reggae from Maui in "Big Smoke, and long-time Jamaican producer/singer
Perfect Giddimani throws down on "Be the Change." C-Los (the drummer for
Sublime with Rome & formerly Tribal Seeds), added some live drum tracks across the board.
The digital release was produced by Gary and Rick, but it was San Diego native
E.N Young who mixed and mastered "Rockaz" at his
Imperial Sound Recording Studio. When it came time to make the video, Gary and Rick looked to link up with their friend Jeff. Gary said, "I love working with Jeff, he always captures special moments on film. He has a unique style and great eye for bringing visions to reality."
Helping announce the "Rockaz" video to the world, Reggaeville, the infamous online reggae magazine featured it on their prominent YouTube channel. They are, and continue to be, a massive advocate for the collective and all international reggae artists. Keep an eye out at Reggaeville for more future releases as well as all the information you could imagine about reggae artists!
"Rockaz" is a conscious, reggae music & film collective worth every bit of hype and praise! When the Reggae Rise Up festival took place in October in St. Petersburg, Florida they had Gary Dread and Rick Haze perform at an after-party and crush a set with DJ Badda Skat while RFP captured the vibe. When Jeff at RFP was asked what the Rockaz collective has in store for the future, He said, "We are doing more videos and songs, as well as launch parties in Florida and at Miss Lily’s (in New York City.)" He elaborates, "We plan on more events in 2022 as we collaborate with other well-known Dancehall Reggae artists." The Rockaz Collective's mission to announce the arrival of the new musical/video has been accomplished, but they have accepted another, more vast undertaking. A mission much needed today; Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) reporting for duty.
