Mei Wenti Sound Project has fast become one of the hottest projects on the Beijing night life circuit since their inception a few years ago. Now Beijing’s premier Reggae DJ and live performance collective, they feature at top music venues all over the city. Mei Wenti – which, of course, means ‘no problem’ in Mandarin - adopt a suitably laid back performance style; party with the Mei Wenti guys and for a few hours you will be without a care in the world.

Whether it be laid back dub or rump-shaking dancehall, Mei Wenti have it covered. ‘What’s most important with the music is that it has a good bounce to it’ says Mat Thatcher on the danceable qualities of his left field stylings.

Mei Wenti brings a little sunshine to Beijing’s cold, grey, concrete corners with their mixture of roots reggae, dub, and conscious dancehall music. At their fortnightly spot in Club Obiwan the guys offer a chilled out selection of dub and roots, which perfectly compliments the chilled vibes of the roof top terrace over looking the peaceful Bei Hai lake (north of Hou Hai and conveniently only 2 minutes walk from exit C of Ji Shui Tan subway station on line 2), and the free Jamaican BBQ (from 5pm onward).

In addition to parties and DJ sets Mei Wenti are responsible for some of Beijing’s most exciting reggae-related live gigs. In August they hosted Adrian Sherwood at Obiwan, in conjunction with Shanghai/Beijing based Free The Wax promotions. Sherwood is one of the stalwarts of the UK scene and a fantastic dub producer. Up and coming are the Scottish act Mungo’s Hi-Fi, who hail from Glasgow and who will be delivering their reggae styling with the accompaniment of toaster MC Brother Culture. Mungo’s Hi Fi previously collaborated with MC Brother Culture on their much lauded song “Wickedness” and the gig is eagerly anticipated by lovers of roots and dancehall in Beijing. The date has yet to be confirmed but it is expected to be part of the Yugong Yishan second birthday celebration in October

Grimy but also popular Chaoyang dive bar and live music venue Dos Kolegas, hidden away near the Drive in Cinema, proudly hosts the Beijing Reggae Sun Splash events which have seen the Mei Wenti boys presenting the bands Long Shen Dao and Propellers. Long Shen Dao – signed to Canadian label and with a Canadian producer – play an interesting brand of roots, and may well be the world’s only Daoist reggae Band. An up and coming China tour with Long Shen Dao and the Mei Wenti Sound Project is currently in the pipeline.

The agenda of the collective is not simply that of having a good time; it’s also about bringing roots and reggae culture to the youth of China. Meiwenti are a community minded bunch and are heavily involved in the Ethiopian community within Beijing. Their ‘conscious’ or ‘righteous’ lyrics are certainly food for thought for the thinking music fan.

Where to hear Mei Wenti and other reggae and dancehall acts in Beijing

One of the best reggae bars in town, Together, is currently closed while they scout for a new location. But fear not, you can catch Mei Wenti and other reggae and dancehall acts at the following venues.

2 Kolegas View In Map
21 Liangmaqiao Lu (inside the drive-in movie theater park) north of Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang District
北京市朝阳区亮马桥路21号（燕莎桥往东1500米路北汽车电影院内）
010 - 6436 8998
http://www.2kolegas.com

Club ObiwanView In Map
4 Xihai Xiyan (300m from Jishuitan subway station), Xicheng District
北京市西城区西海西沿4号
Daily 2pm-2am
8322 1231
http://www.clubobiwan.com.cn

Yugong YishanView In Map
3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu (100m west of Zhangzizhong Lu subway station), Dongcheng District
东城区平安大道张自忠路3-2号(地铁五号线张自忠路站往西100米)
Daily 7pm-late
010 - 6404 2711
http://www.yugongyishan.com

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