King Tappa is a reggae singer based in New Jersey. He has been in the music industry for over ten years. Starting his music career first as a DJ in his early teens through college and his twenties. Music has always been a big part of his family. King Tappa remembers singing and free styling at the age of 14 and four years later, it comes as no surprise that he decided to take music seriously. Beginning as a DJ he established Power Sound and went by the name DJ Tappa. He got the opportunity to perform at many venues within the tri-state area and even outside the United States. His performances outside of the United States include: St. Croix, Linstead, Jamaica, Bermuda and Dominica to mention a few. The highlight of his DJ career so far has been performing with Stone Love at Da Culture Lounge Fredrickstead, St.Croix U.S.V.I in 2005.

Inspired by international Reggae artists such as Steel Pulse, Beres Hammond, Culture, Gregory Isaac, Capleton and Morgan Heritage he began writing and moved on to singing. Going now by the name King Tappa he released his premiere album “When I Work” in 2007. King Tappa was able to give an unforgettable performance back in his homeland performing with the likes of Tanya Stevens and Gyptian. His premiere album “When I Work” has given King Tappa performances alongside artists like Da’Ville, Elephant Man, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, hip hop artists Rick Ross and Fabolous to name a few.

King Tappa has written over 100 songs and has done excessive amounts of dub plates and jingles for many different sound systems worldwide. He released his second album titled “Feeling the Vibes” last summer. This album comes a decade after his first release and it proves he has grown significantly over the years through his music and performances. He has been performing both locally and internationally in places like Canada, the Caribbean and Nairobi Kenya Africa, which by far is the highlight of his career. His work is one to look out for since not only does he sing and DJ but he writes all of his music.

In addition to his musical contributions, King Tappa is also the president of Project Book Bag, an initiative designed to assist students in Dominica by making meaningful contributions of school supplies on a yearly basis.

Since his childhood in rural Jamaica, Eurtis “Purple” Williams has been surrounded by music. It was only natural that he became a professional musician, playing in several bands and touring with high-profile artists.

That impressive profile culminated with the release in March, 2020 of “Day by Day,” his debut vocal album which is distributed by Zojak World Wide. The set has 12 reggae songs, each arranged and produced by the talented guitarist/singer/songwriter. It contains the title track, as well as “Wicked Man” and covers of Marvin Gaye‘s “What’s Going On” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” originally done by Tommy James and The Shondells. For Williams, “Day by Day” shows a different side to his skills. “I believe it was time for people to hear what I am capable of. Most of the songs I write are about reality,” he said.

Eurtis Williams‘ roots are steeped in religion. The youngest of four children, he grew up in Gayle, a rustic district in St. Mary Parish, Eastern Jamaica. St. Mary has produced a number of artists such as Josey Wales, Lady Saw, Admiral Tibet and Capleton. He learned to play instruments in church but by the early 1980s, was playing in secular bands on Jamaica’s tourist circuit. During his near 10-year run playing in hotels in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril, Williams not only developed his chops as a guitarist, but rubbed shoulders with musicians who went on to enjoy successful careers. Among them bass guitarist/singer Benjy Myaz, guitarist Mikey Spice and guitarist Junior Jazz. Williams was also a member of producer Courtney Cole‘s Roof Extension Band, which backed acts like Tony Curtis and Jigsy King on major live shows like Reggae Sumfest. He also played the High Seas, doing a stint with the Carnival Cruise line.

Migrating to the United States in the 1990s, he continued to make strides. He was a founding member of the Millennium Band, a South Florida-based unit that has backed elite artists such as Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, Sanchez, Richie Stephens and Luciano.

Inspired by maestros such as Jimi Hendrix and George Benson, Purple Williams also shows his guitar prowess on “Day by Day.” It is a collection of quality songs worth listening.

Perfect Giddimani was born Greg Rose in Bamboo, St Ann, Jamaica, and like many reggae artists his mother sang in church, and his grandfather also had a banjo band, so he was exposed to music from birth. His father was an electrical repair man and among the many things he repaired were jukeboxes. Some of the jukeboxes were left behind by the customers and his father rigged one so that Greg and his siblings could play it without having to insert money. The box had several musical genres including, soul, country, pop and reggae so he was introduced to a wide range of music at an early age.

Perfect Giddimani started singing popular reggae songs at a very young age when he would flip the record, play the instrumental version and sing back what he had heard on the ‘A’ side. At the age of nine (9), known as ‘Mr. Perfect’, he started performing publicly and gaining a reputation in the region. When in St Ann’s York Castle High School, while regularly entertaining as ‘Little Ninja,’ he realized he couldn’t continue covering other artists so he started writing his own lyrics. When I asked who his major influencers are, Perfect Giddimani told me that no one artist influences him, he takes a little of something from the many artists in many genres that he admires, in his words ‘You can’t bake a cake with one ingredient.’ He gathers all the good he gets from them and then improvises on it.

After high school, Perfect Giddimani headed for Kingston where he began honing his performance in clubs. At the same time, he recorded in many of the top studios. Not long after that he and his brother Kirk opened the first digital recording studio, named Askum, back in his home town of Bamboo, with help from their father who located the latest studio gear from New York. They taught themselves the art of recording by reading the equipment manuals for days. It wasn’t long before they were producing music for themselves and also other local talent. Greg made the rhythms with drums and keyboard and Kirk was in charge of vocal engineering. Together they formed the Chalice Palace Music label. Changing his name to Perfect Giddimani, he made his first self-produced songs which he took to Europe and DHF Records in Austria gave him his first deal.

Perfect Giddimani’s company also formed Giddimani Records, a label that records upcoming Jamaican artists on compilations that feature some Giddimani tunes, to give the artists exposure. Perfect Giddimani started as a roots artist and will always be considered a roots artist although, as the music scene changes, some of Perfect Giddimani’s songs are recorded on Dancehall beats he always stays true to his conscious, positive lyrics. In his words ‘We keep it 100% clean, conscious and with a message.’

M.R, whose birth name is Michael Reid (known on social media platforms as “mykalread”) is a Jamaican born, Canadian based gospel recording artist, musician and songwriter.

HISTORY
Michael grew up in a christian home in a small district in Jamaica known as Mount Moriah with his mother, father and two sisters. He attended the Mount Moriah Primary School, Edwin Allen High and subsequently enrolled in the Hospitality Skills program at the Runaway Bay Heart Trust Institute. After completing his Hospitality Skills course, he went on to work in the hotel industry for over seven (7) years.

MUSIC
From an early age M.R has always been passionate about music. He would transform any suitable surface into a drum set, hitting it with either his hands, pieces of stick, pens or pencils. His passion for music was so intense that at the age of eleven (11) he was sent to do music lessons with a family friend who was visiting from England. He initially started learning to play both the electric guitar and drums but quickly grew disinterested. He then expressed interest in the keyboard / piano and was taught the basic triads of C, F and G chords before his tutor returned home. With the little knowledge that M.R garnered, he started practicing at his home church, and became so committed and passionate that he taught himself to play at a professional level by way of the internet.

Fast forward to 2019, which is when M.R wrote his first published song titled “hallelujah,” sung by Crystal Reid, whom he also manages. He is currently gearing up to release his first track called “The Gospel Must Be Preached”; while simultaneously working on his debut album.

PERSONAL
A husband and also the father of three (3) beautiful daughters, M.R is a God fearing, humble and unique individual who is committed to represent Christ not only in his music but also in his everyday lifestyle.

In 2014, M.R migrated to Canada for work purposes. While there, he attended the Refuge Temple Church where he later became the music minister. He then realized that he had a calling on his life not only to play music and preach but also to write songs.

Good music is born out of a passion to bring healing and deliver a message to a wide range of listeners. Not every musician has the drive to follow this path. But reggae artist Ras Slick is bringing great reggae music to the world in a dynamic way.

Ras Slick hails from Westmoreland, Jamaica, where his strong and deeply rooted musical background can be traced back to his youth. Known for captivating performances, he is a rare blend of entertainer, astute entrepreneur, songwriter and cutting-edge music producer who brings a high level of energy, zeal and evident hard work to all his endeavors.

His music is stimulating, timeless and unique in style. With his electrifying band, Dutty Bus Crew, Ras Slick has stormed large and diverse audiences with distinct and relatable songs that showcase his beautiful voice.

Ras Slick has emerged as a prominent figure in reggae music. He has consecutively won Best Male Vocalist honors at the Washington DC Annual Reggae Music Awards (ARMA). He has graced respected stages such as Carifesta and Linganore Caribbean Wine Festivals, the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, the Jamaica Music Conference in Kingston, and the DC World Reggae Festival with Shabba Ranks, Chronixx and Toots & the Maytals.

He has opened for reggae icons including his musical idol Beres Hammond, Sizzla, Morgan Heritage, Iba Mahr, Luciano, Tarrus Riley and Jesse Royal.

Ras Slick also creates and produces music of all genres for both established and up-and-coming artists in his music production studio, My Time Studio.

To learn more about Ras Slick, please checkout his mini documentary.

Michael Taylor, more popularly known as Mikey General, is a forty-year veteran in the reggae music industry. Over the past four decades he has released approximately 800 songs, 15 albums and has countless hit singles both at home (Jamaica) and abroad.

Being a very spiritual person, Mikey General‘s music carries a message of faith and optimism. His unyielding devotion and genuine sincerity set this singer apart from the rest. As one of the original members of the Exterminator Crew (Phillip “Fattis” Burrell, Luciano, Mikey General, Shadowman, Jesse Jenda, Ragnum Poyser and Sizzla), Mikey General has spent decades honing his talent. His hard work has taken him to stages in Germany, France, Italy, America, Canada, Gambia, England, Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries around the world.

Though he was born in the UK, Mikey grew up in Jamaica in the middleclass community of Valentine Gardens (Kingston). He attended Saint Georges College and actually recorded and released his first song, “Roots Mi Roots,” while in school.

There are only a few artists that’s able to say they’ve worked with some of the biggest producers and record labels in the reggae and dancehall industry, and Mikey General is one such artist. He has created music with Viking, Saxon and Coxsone; Levi Roots, Blacka Dread and Sugar Minott’s Black Roots label, Dub Vendor, Exterminator, Black Scorpio, Conqueror Record label, Dean Fraser’s Cannon Music, and that is just to name a few. At the end of the 1990’s Mikey General established his own label, called Qabalah First Music. He has since released at least six albums via his label and is now gearing up to release the seventh.

As 2020 marks the 40th year since veteran recording artist Mikey General entered the music industry, he will be putting out a new album, which is not yet titled, on his own Qabalah First Music label. The first single from that project is a powerful reggae track entitled “Pay the Man,” which is a message in support of the working class.

The rhythm for “Pay the Man” was created by: Miguel ‘Sizzla’ Collins (drum programming), Moziko (bass, keyboard and additional drums), Paul ‘Wrong Move’ Crossdale (guitar) and Alphanso Craig (percussion). The vocals were recorded at Killamanjaro Studio by engineer Andrun Haase and mixed by Marvin Williams and Prince Villa.

As usual Mikey General stays on point with conscious messages i.e. social commentaries, spirituality, justice and equal rights, as well as the need for morality. “Pay the Man” is about bringing attention to the issue of employees not being compensated by their employer.

The artist is now busy promoting the project, while simultaneously working on new music.

FOLLOW MIKEY GENERAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mikey-General-381392715282570

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Twitter: www.twitter.com/MikeyGeneral7