For the past 10 years, Roobny “Speedyking” Ligonde has recorded and toured with Julian Marley, playing percussion in the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter’s band. Since mid-2024, he has been busy in the studio working on his first solo album.

The instrumental project hears him working with producer Danny Breakenridge for Upstairs Music, an independent label based in South Florida. To date, they have recorded 10 songs which Speedyking describes as “pure roots-reggae, traditional reggae.” 

The album titled ‘Upstairs Percussions’ was released on November 14th, and the Haiti-born musician is excited about being in the spotlight after years of enhancing the music of high-profile acts such as Julian Marley, his brother Stephen Marley, Louie Culture and Betty Wright.

“It’s a great feeling working with Upstairs Music. We gave great ideas. And things just worked out fine, you know,” he said.

Although he was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, much of Speedyking’s formative years were spent in Brooklyn, New York, home to a massive Jamaican and West Indian community. While he has no direct influence as a percussionist, he points to the music of Bob Marley as a major inspiration for him choosing music as a career.

Referring to Julian Marley as “a cool artist”, Speedyking played on his 2019 Grammy-nominated album, ‘As I Am’. He also played on ‘Colors of Royal’, Julian’s album with Antaeus, which won the 2024 Grammy for Best Reggae Album.

‘Upstairs Percussions’ is available on all major streaming platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music, iTunes, Pandora among others.

Hezron is inviting both his fans and supporters to join him for an extraordinary concert next month. Set against the backdrop of Kingston’s lively atmosphere, the event will take place at 22 Jerk, a venue known for its authentic Jamaican food and entertainment, on April 5th, beginning at 8:30 PM local time.

Following a successful tour in Africa, Hezron is now sharing the essence of the experience through his single, “Kuja Nyumbani.” This Swahili phrase, which translates loosely to “a desire for home,” encapsulates an intense longing for one’s roots and is beautifully reflected in both the song and its accompanying video, recently released by Tad’s Record Inc. That said, attendees of the aforementioned concert can expect an evening filled with soulful melodies that resonate deeply with the themes of home and heritage.

For those unable to attend in person, it remains essential to engage with Hezron’s music by streaming or downloading “Kuja Nyumbani,” which is readily available on major platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, iTunes, Boomplay, Deezer, and more.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “KUJA NYUMBANI”