For Ali Campbell and UB40, South Africa has become one of the band’s most treasured destinations over the years — and judging by his conversation with Bunny Majaja on HOT 102.7 Breakfast, that connection remains as strong as ever.

Ahead of UB40’s return to Johannesburg, Campbell reflected on the band’s journey from the streets of Birmingham to stages around the world, explaining how reggae music shaped both their identity and their sound from a young age.

Growing up in a multicultural neighbourhood in Birmingham, Campbell says reggae was simply part of everyday life.

“The music of the streets was reggae.”

That influence would eventually help create one of the most successful reggae groups in history, with UB40 blending socially conscious songwriting, feelgood rhythms, and unforgettable covers into a sound that connected with audiences across generations.

Campbell says the universal nature of reggae music is one of the reasons the band continues to tour successfully around the globe decades later.

“Reggae’s all about feelgood… bringing people together in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation and freedom and big love.”

He also touched on the extraordinary influence reggae and dub music have had on modern music culture, with Campbell pointing out that genres like hip hop and contemporary dance music owe much of their DNA to those early Jamaican sounds.

And while UB40’s catalogue spans generations, Campbell revealed he’s still discovering new music himself — including a recent appreciation for Taylor Swift after watching several of her performances during a flight.

“I just appreciate talent… music’s for fun and to make you feel good.”

Watch the full interview:

Tickets for UB40 featuring Ali Campbell on 6 June are officially sold out — but you can still click here to get tickets for the 7 June Johannesburg show.