Joe Ariwa: London’s Dub Innovator Leading Reggae’s New Wave

Discover how Joe Ariwa, son of Mad Professor, is redefining UK dub and reggae with fresh productions, international tours, and a new generation of talent.

Joe Ariwa, born Joseph Fraser in the mid 1980s, is a leading force in the UK dub and reggae scene. Based in London, he is not only the son of legendary dub pioneer Mad Professor but also a skilled sound engineer, producer, and live performer in his own right. Raised in the iconic Ariwa Studios, Joe grew up surrounded by analog equipment, reggae legends, and deep dub culture.

From a young age, Joe immersed himself in studio life digitizing vintage tapes, assisting in engineering sessions, and gradually becoming Mad Professor’s right-hand man. One of his early landmark projects was reviving unreleased material from Ariwa’s analog archives. These treasures included tracks like Rebel on the Roots Corner (Tippa Irie) and Ackle & Bother (Papa Levi), which reconnected fans with dub’s golden era.

Joe soon expanded his role beyond engineering. He began producing and collaborating across genres like dubstep, reggae, jungle, and drum & bass. His notable releases include Joe Ariwa Meets Young Warrior, A Double Dose of Dub with Ashanti Selah, and the Dubstep Dub series. Collaborations with UK sound system giants such as Iration Steppas and Channel One elevated his status in the dub world.

In 2012, a major breakthrough came when Joe teamed up with General Levy, producing the acclaimed album Be Conscious & Wise and the hit track Ramp Wid Di Riddim. Together, they toured internationally, expanding UK dub’s global reach.

Joe’s live work includes leading the modern version of The Robotiks, Ariwa’s legendary house band. With musicians like Ashanti Selah and Carl Benjamin, they’ve backed icons such as Lee “Scratch” Perry and Big Youth at major festivals including Boomtown and Rototom Sunsplash.

As of 2023, Joe has taken the helm at the Ariwa label, spearheading a new wave of dub with the Ariwa Posse, showcasing talents like Askala Selassie, Abel Miller, and I Jah. His recent productions, including The Next Generation of Dub and Dub You Mind, continue to push boundaries while honoring tradition.

Joe Ariwa is not just carrying a legacy he’s shaping the future of dub.