Three-foot dreads. Not all musicians dare to have them on tour, however, the Best New Entertainer of the Year (as voted at the International Reggae & World Music Awards) sports them at every performance. And hair is not the only interesting and unique part of this band.

After twelve years together, Victor Essiet and the Mandators have put together a collection of music that is not only uplifting, but also relaxing. Their music comes from Nigeria, where they have thrilled crowds of over 80,000. In the United States they have released two songs and one CD.

This recently-released CD is entitled Crucial and features songs such as “Rat Race” and “Ism Skism.” Since its release, the band has been touring the United States, hitting such avenues as the Vermont Reggae Festival and such towns as Fredericksburg, VA. and Baltimore, MD.

Mystic Management says, “It’s revolutionary, political, emotional, intellectual and uplifting; a true musical statement for the millennium.” Victor Essiet and the Mandators will be playing tomorrow, Friday, September 7 at Cicero’s in the Loop (6691 Delmar Blvd.) The show starts at 9:00 p.m. and you must be 21 to enter.