Reggae Dave facts for kids

David John Elia Asera (born around 1964 – died December 20, 2015) was a talented singer from the Northern Territory in Australia. Many people knew him by his stage name, Reggae Dave. He was a very important artist, and in 2009, he was honored by being added to the Hall of Fame at the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs).

Reggae Dave's Life and Music

David Asera was a Torres Strait Islander, which means his family came from the islands located north of Queensland, Australia. When he was about 19 years old, he moved to the Northern Territory. There, he quickly became well-known in the local music scene. He even appeared in TV advertisements that helped teach people about important safety messages.

His Band and First Album

Reggae Dave loved to perform live with his band, called The Iries. The word "irie" means feeling good or positive, which perfectly matched their music style! In 1990, he worked with another musician named Casso (whose real name is Greg Castillon). Together, they released an album called Love is the Only Drug. This album was released through CAAMA records, which is a record label that helps Indigenous Australian artists share their music.

A Lasting Legacy

Sadly, David Asera passed away from cancer on December 20, 2015, when he was 51 years old. Even after he passed away, his music continued to inspire people. His first solo album, titled Kaimel Urapun (We Are One), was released in 2016. The word "Kaimel Urapun" means "We Are One" in a Torres Strait Islander language, showing his strong connection to his culture and people. This album was released posthumously, which means it came out after he had died.

Albums by Reggae Dave

Here are the albums that Reggae Dave was a part of:

• Casso and Reggae Dave
  • Love is the Only Drug (1990) - Released by CAAMA
• Reggae Dave
  • Kaimel Urapun (We are one) (2016)