Roots Rock Society

Fast Facts

Location: Chicago, IL

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Bio

International recording artists and award-winning ensemble Roots Rock Society was formed in 1986 by brothers Stann and Sinko Champion. The band's one-of-a-kind sound combines the rhythms of the African Diaspora, such as Reggae, Calypso, Compa and Zouk, with lyrics that reflect family, culture, heritage and community.

From the beginning, Stann's goal was to maintain his African-Caribbean-American heritage and culture through voice, music and dance in order to heal and reach with sound and movement. Nominated for the Chicago Music Awards' "Best Reggae Band" in 1999, Roots Rock Society has performed with Ziggy Marley at the 1999 Milwaukee Summerfest and the Bellamy Brothers at the 1999 Minnesota State Fair.

Having opened for performers such as Natalie Cole and their self released CD "Again" receiving airplay on 200 radio stations from Paupa New Guinea to Africa and Europe, it's no wonder that critics have named Roots Rock Society one of the nation's best.

ROOTS ROCK SOCIETY EXPLODES INTO 2009 WITH NEW HONORS
CHICAGO--Chicago World Beat legend Stann Champion, and his band Roots Rock Society, (RRS) have been named "Best Calypso and Soul Calypso Entertainer  for 2008" by the 28th Annual Chicago Music Awards held Sunday at Chicago’s Park West Theater.

“We thank the awards committee for this great honor and will use it to launch into a true decade of renaissance for Africa-Diaspora music and culture. We intend to put Chicago on the world map with our unique blend of rhythm and our special approach of reaching out to people where they live – in the communities, in their schools, cultural centers, through parks and recreation and sports venues, colleges, hospitals  and houses of worship,” remarked Champion in accepting his 12th Chicago Music Award.

“We are more -- than just a band, we are a movement and are committed especially to reaching young people of all cultures and people of need with our messages of mutual respect for one another and learning through music,” he added.

According to Ephraim Martin, Chairman and president of the Chicago Music Awards, “Our objective is to honor and uphold the integrity of all individuals inside Chicago's music industry, past and present, whether behind the scenes or on stage. Stann Champion and Roots Rock Society help us in our efforts to communicate the historic and vibrant music scene in the Windy City.”

RRS – THE HISTORY
In reflecting back on his career with Starstruck and RRS, Champion, as so many other Americans relates to the path taken by our new president, Barack Obama.
“Much like our new president, I reached a decision point where I could have continued on to a ‘Madison-Avenue’ type of advertising career, or risk the unknown of community-activism by using my talents, and most of all, my drive, to create and advance positive change for the greater community around me," Champion said, as he strummed the rhythm of his band "Roots Rock Society’s" (RRS’s) latest ode to a better urban world – "La Familia."

After returning from a recording project at Tuff Gong Studio in Jamaica, his decision to walk away from a successful, Michigan Avenue advertising career working to play a hunch based on his own core values of positive cultural change through a unique blend of Reggae and other world rhythms that promote compassion, tolerance, and the overall uplifting messages passed along from such African-Diaspora giants, as Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Mariam Makeba, Lucky Dube and many others, is finally paying off.

RRS’s music has been heard in 50 American media markets and in nearly 20 countries across the planet, covering all five continents.