This year’s Reggae in the Desert Festival is set for Saturday, April 20, at the Clark County Amphitheatre – 500 South Grand Central Parkway – in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Birmingham’s roots band Steel Pulse will be on the show, along with Collie Buddz, Fortunate Youth, Arise Roots, The Holdup, The Majority, and special guests Bounce Cruz and DJ Matt Lucio. It will be hosted by DJ Ramma.
In February, 2023, recording artist Zamunda released Jah Love Surround Me, a twelve-track studio album that features collaborations with Popcaan, Dre Island, Louie Culture, and Anthony B. Since then, he and his team have been actively promoting the project, while concomitantly introducing his fans to the various songs that are presented on it.
Most recently, they shared He Save Me (track #9), a non-secular tune done with the old Ganga Lee, Louie Culture. On the record, both men detail their admiration for the Almighty, with Zamunda elaborating on what initially led him to the Rastafarian way of life.
Almost a year to the day of the album’s release, on February 7, 2024, the official video for He Save Me was published on Zamunda‘s vevo channel. Much like the audio, the visuals are straightforward and somewhat informative. It shows Louie Culture and Zamunda performing the song, with sporadic clips of the former Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie.
Not long ago, Zamunda inked a management deal with Garfield Cowan, principal of Natures Way Entertainment, a South Florida company known for producing Jah Cure’s Wake Up, and Wayne Wonder‘s Let me Love You Tonight. With his career now in steady hands, Zamunda is promising big things. Stay tuned…
Trinidadians are invited to the One Love Experience at Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain on Saturday, April 13. This is a live reggae music event that will see some of Jamaica’s most respected reggae artists performing.
There will be sets by veterans Warrior King, Bushman, Louie Culture, and Glen Washington, as well as King David, Jamelody, Isasha, and Mr King. Backing bands are Rootz Warriors from Jamaica and Kornerstone from Trinidad.
KashieF Lindo – the son of legendary multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Willie Lindo, and an accomplished recording artist and composer in his own right – has just released a stunning new song and video titled Maybe.
The record tackles the often ignored subject of fear of commitment, especially when engaged in an intimate relationship. KashieF uses his distinctive high-pitched singing style to tell the story of a man who questions why he is so scared to fall in love while simultaneously acknowledging that he is in love.
Maybe was produced by Willie Lindo, who is credited for the acoustic and rhythm guitars on the track. KashieF, for his part, did the drum programming, and in addition to singing the lead, he also sang the background vocals. The bass, piano, and keyboards were added by Robbie Lyn, and it was mixed by Garfield McDonald. Maybe was written by both KashieF and Willie Lindo.
Regarding the visuals, videographer Errol Lyons did an incredible job with the official music video, which superbly adds images and movements to KashieF‘s words. Maybe went live on streaming platforms on March 8th, and as such, can now be streamed and/or downloaded from all digital music stores. It is on the HeavyBeat Records label.
Nineties dancehall star Spragga Benz will be performing at the forthcoming 90’s Playground Party scheduled for Saturday, March 30th at Shazz Grounds in St. Ann, Jamaica. Spragga will be supported by DJ Ashile, ZJ Liquid, and DJ Marvin.
Early bird tickets, which are going for $3,000 JMD, can be purchased from Fontana, Iona Spa, TK Raffine, Upscale, and Loud Fashion in Ocho Rios; Shazz Service Station in St. Ann; Parts2go in Falmouth; Rehab Sports Bar in Montego Bay; Cover Girl in Brown’s Town; Hypezone Fruits & Vegetables in Discovery Bay; and Fontana in Barbican.
Some time ago, Blakkwuman22 Music released Restart Riddim, a four-track dancehall compilation that features British-based deejay Peppery, popular vocalist Sherida Sharpe, one of the most underrated dancehall lyricists, I-Talawah, and BW22‘s owner, who is also the project’s producer, Karamanti.
The imprint is now sharing the video for I-Talawah‘s tune, Truth, which many people think is one of the hardest songs (from a lyrical standpoint) on the rhythm. The visuals were captured in I-talawah‘s Jackson Town district in Kingston, Jamaica, and as such, has clips of several of his friends and family members. Though simple in its presentation, the DJ’s Rastafarian faith along with his aggressive performance, are prominent throughout the recording, thus making it quite gripping.
The official music video for I-Talawah‘s Truth can be viewed on Blakkwuman22 Music‘s YouTube channel, while the song is available for download on all digital music stores.
Zamunda, whose birth name is Christopher Gayle, was born in the vibrant hills of Seville Heights, St. Ann, Jamaica. From the tender age of seven, when he penned his very first song, There is Only Love, it became apparent that he was headed for musical greatness, and by the time he turned sixteen, music had become an integral part of his life.
The following statement from Zamunda encapsulates his passion for the art form. “Music has been a part of my life from birth as I have been deejaying from the age of five in my community and other places in Jamaica. I realized that I could sing at the age of 19, and I then decided that I would sing rather than deejay. Music is really what I want and love. I enjoy entertaining people from all over. I want to take reggae to the world.”
Initially starting as a deejay, Zamunda transitioned to singing in his late teens when he realized the gruff toasting style was taking a toll on his voice. He had a stutter, a speech impediment that vanished when he sang. As such, friends urged him to let his voice do the talking, and he took their advice to heart.
Zamunda‘s blend of reggae and R&B, enriched by his resonant baritone, delivered a powerful message of love and justice. His signature song, Jah Love Surround Me, catapulted him to stardom in 2011, and a string of hits followed: One People, Still A Pray fi Dem, Working 9-5, Science Dem A Work, Talk and Stutter, Badda Dan Dem, Forever Loving Jah, and Cyaan Program Me. In 2017, Zamunda digitally released his self-produced debut album, Scripts and Scrolls, setting the stage for a promising career. After the release he didn’t stay idle, he then gave the world Paradise on Earth in 2020, further establishing his artistry.
2021 was a turning point for Zamunda. After losing a sound-clash to Popcaan, he sought collaboration. Together with Dre Island, they remixed Jah Love Surround Me, and it skyrocketed on the international scene. Live On, Running from Love, Valley, and Protection came after, making him a global reggae sensation.
In 2023, Zamunda unveiled his latest masterpiece, Jah Love Surround Me, a live studio album where every instrument resonates in perfect harmony. This album features legendary artists Capleton, Christopher Martin, Popcaan, Anthony B, and Jah Cure. From there he went on to drop a fresh new single called Chill Pill.
Throughout his journey, Zamunda has graced the stages of Island Explosion, Full Clip, Sting, Tivoli Jamboree, and Reggae Sumfest, to name a few, leaving audiences mesmerized with his lyrical prowess and infectious vibes. “Ah just Jah works, I will continue to do the music and feed the souls and minds of the people,” he humbly professes. Indeed, Jah’s love continues to surround him, guiding Zamunda on his mission to bring the heart and soul of reggae to every corner of the globe.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 