16 Tracks in total, ‘Kontraband,’ the debut from Kabaka Pyramid does not disappoint.
I only heard 3 of the songs before the album’s release so this is a fresh, new experience. The album is reminiscent of Chronixx’s “Chronology” in its diverse representation of modern reggae music.
Hip-Hop influences are evident throughout but do not detract from the roots vibe. You can choose to bob your head and/or skank to the beats. Kabaka spits bars of knowledge with a cool, collected delivery. At times, he sing-jays on the riddims in perfect melody.
‘Kontraband’ is a strong debut for Kabaka Pyramid and it bolsters his global appeal. The Damian and Stephen Marley executive-produced album features Akon and Stonebwoy out of Africa. Jr. Gong joins Kabaka to illustrate the story on the title track.
Pressure Buss Pipes from the U.S. Virgin Islands sings the hook on “Make Way,” the opening song of the album. Fellow reggae revivalist Protoje makes his mark with a succinct verse on “Everywhere I Go.” Kabaka teams with Chronixx on the mesmerizing and memorable “Blessed Is The Man.”
Kabaka doesn’t only chant a lyrical onslaught on Babylon. He considers the divine essence of black queens on “Natural Woman.” He opens up about affairs of the heart on “Kaught Up,” and “All I Need,” which features Nattali Rize. The different vibes on ‘Kontraband’ balance out. If you ranked this entry as one of 2019’s top reggae releases, I would say that’s accurate.
This is episode number 91 of the Reggae Lover Podcast with the top lyricists of Reggae music today.
The selection features 20 lyrically potent songs. The concept was a suggestion by Kris Richards, a visual and graphic artist who enjoys listening to this podcast while he creates his art. He created the original artwork for this episode. Visit @iandidea on IG to see Kris Richards’ magnificent works. A big shout out and thank you to Kris, representing Jamaica and the ATL. So far his feedback is that this mix is too short, and he has requested a part 2. I’m cool with it. I’ll go ahead and mix up a series of lyricist-based podcast episodes.
This mix keeps your head bobbing all the way through. If you came to the end and thought “wait… what… it’s over already?” then I know you will come back for more. Meanwhile, you have to go back and listen to this wordplay and these metaphors. Lyrics are layered with symbolism in the songs, especially those by Kabaka Pyramid. You have to go back and listen again to extract the true meaning.
Rebellious Nature by Agent Sasco kicked it off. Wicked Man by Busy Signal, Wadada by Jesse Royal and Kabaka Pyramid‘s Global Warning complete the intro. Listen to Can’t Breathe, Well Done, and also Liberal Opposer by Kabaka. He also features on The Flame with Proteje. Koffee, the 17-year-old sensation, makes her mark on Burning.
Proteje‘s creativity is on display with the one called Criminal and also Truth and Rights. Over Damian Marley’s On the Corner Riddim, you hear Chronixx with Ghetto People. Busy Signal’s Survival from the Return Riddim by Jukebox Productions adds to the vibe. Love Is All I Bring, the new Spragga Benz tune from Sting International fits in well. I was able to squeeze in 1999’s Wha Yuh Say Star which got left off of the Spragga Benz podcast.
Damian Marley flows on The Master Has Come Back and Road to Zion featuring Nas off the Welcome to Jamrock album. In the next edition of the lyrical opposer mix, you’re going to hear some more from Vybz Kartel. I’ll also bring it very current with 2018 material from these and other new artists.
Thank you to the listeners who have added ratings and reviews on iTunes. Shouts out to my very lovely wife who has been binge listening via the podcast app on her new iPhone. I’m honored to have you listen to my podcast. It’s all about us reggae lovers. We have to continue to spread the culture. I focus on the reality I want to see which is positivity. Positive energy and momentum arise from reggae music.
Shout out to my family at WRFG 89.3FM ATL. I’ll be dropping by the Global Drumbeat and Riot Radio shows this week to spread the word about Reggae Lover. I’m gonna drop 2 crazy guest DJ sets live on the air. I’ll be talking about the podcast because I want more people to tune in as we build this movement. I’m inspiring and healing people with reggae.
Look out for the episodes coming up where I’ll be chopping it up with guests learn when, where, why and how they fell in love with reggae. Diving into some of the stories will be lots of fun and I’m so very excited about that.
Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts and get a shout out on the next episode. Have any questions, comments, or feedback? I love to get requests and suggestions. I want to hear what you are interested in hearing. Hit me up. I will those mixes lined up for you. Get your own custom mix right here on the Reggae Lover podcast and be a part of the show. Thank you for listening. Keep your head up – keep it positive. Until next time, One love.
A promotional mix featuring Ky-Mani, Damian, Stephen, Ziggy, and Cedella Marley among other heavy hitters for the BobFest ATL event in Atlanta, February 15 – 18.
Bunji Garlin ft Damian Marley – The Message – Artwork
A Powerful New Anthem Rallying For Social Change Available October 16, 2015 on VP Records
Trinidadian soca star Bunji Garlin and Jamaican Grammy-winning reggae artist Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley team up on “The Message,” a passionate forward-thinking song fighting for the souls of our youth and the future generation.
Listen: Bunji Garlin’s “The Message” feat. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley:
The two Caribbean artists merge soca, dancehall and reggae into a universal sound on this world cry anthem, produced by Philip “Jr. Blender” Meckseper. They go verse for verse addressing society’s illls and Marley delivers a powerful hook aspiring for change. “There is music in your soul, minerals in your soil, children full of beauty worth way much more than oil. While history unfolds, don’t let the good things spoil, oh no.”
Bunji Garlin gives more insight behind the collaboration.”We recorded this song at Gong’s studio in Florida. It was a 4am studio session after we spent about an hour and a half just talking and getting a vibe off of each other’s knowledge, views and energies. I appreciate the project and artist because we were able to let both our musical backgrounds work for us to execute this. It is almost a fable to see the son of reggae legend and also a legend in his own right and artist of the soca genre meld so effortlessly.”
Marley is slated to perform in Garlin’s homeland on October 30th, 2015 in Tobago at Pigeon Point (Colours Of Reggae) and October 31st, 2015 in Trinidad at Hasley Crawford Stadium (Reggae On The Bay Presents Hennessy Artistry).
Maxi Priest brings reggae to the fans at Stage 48 in Manhattan, on March 31, 2013. Photography by Clyde Belcon
This episode starts in 2015 with a couple new entries from Queen Ifrica and Archangel Superpec, but the overall selections focus on one-drop remixes, pop music covers, lovers rock, and roots reggae singles mostly from 2012 through 2014. The mix is filled with the sounds of today’s hottest producers and artists like Chronixx, Jah9, Damian Marley, Tarrus Riley, Jah Cure and more.
Playlist:
1 Queen Ifrica – Let Me Get To Know You
2 Archangel Superpec – There She Is
3 Maxi Priest featuring Stylo G – Easy To Love (Remix)
4 Beres Hammond – In My Arms
5 Them Island Boyz featuring Jah Cure – Kiss Me Girl
6 Romain Virgo – This Love
7 Sanchez – Now and Forever
8 Tarrus Riley – Young Heart
9 Gyptian – Love You Forever
10 Jah Cure – Love You Anyway
11 Rihanna ft. David Guetta – Right Now (J-Vibe Reggae Remix)
12 Chronixx – Alpha and Omega
13 Mavado – Soldiers (R.I.P Roach)
14 Usher – Climax (Walshy Fire / Jus Bus Reggae Remix)
15 Gappy Ranks – Carpenter
16 Jah9 – Steamers A Bubble
17 Tarrus Riley – For Me
18 Sean Paul featuring Damian Marley – Riot
19 Daville – Mirror
20 Tessanne Chin – If You Love Me
21 Shaggy featuring Beres Hammond – Fight This Feeling
22 Roots Queen – Fly With Me
23 Protoje – KIngston Be Wise
24 Busy Signal featuring Damian Marley – Kingston Town (Remix)
25 Jah Bouks – Angola
26 Amy Winehouse featuring Alborosie – Sweet Guitar (Remix)
27 Lutan Fyah – Diamond At Home
28 Tarrus Riley – Cold Girl
Bob Marley Birthday 2015 Promotional Mix by Highlanda and Archangel
Please enjoy this mixtape, a collaboration between Superpec and Kahlil Wonda comprised of music from Bob Marley, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, and Kymani Marley along with Sizzla, Capleton, Tessanne Chin, Trey Songz, Bobby Brown, Spragga Benz, and Queen Ifrica.
Tune in to find out the 8 hottest songs this week in the world of dancehall reggae music on the ‘Top Rated 8’ Countdown, plus hear the freshest ‘Dancehall Now’ mix formulated by Brooklyn’s own ĀGARD with new material and remixes from I-Octane, Konshens, Gyptian, Demarco, Sean Paul and more.
Returning to his reggae roots after two decades of mainstream success, Shaggy launched “Out of Many, One Music” on September 29th, Kahlil Wonda previews cuts from the album in this spotlight.
Check out this interview with Meta from Meta & The Cornerstones during their visit to last.fm!
Proclaimed the next ‘African Reggae Voice’, Meta’s unforgettable vocals are complemented by the incomparable sounds of his band The Cornerstones. Meta and The Cornerstones’ music is warm and embodying, immensely addictive, and destined to forever change the dynamics of Reggae music. Through pure musical genius and humble spirits, the band successfully fuses Reggae, Afro-Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, and Soul music with passionate lyrics in English, French, Wolof and Fulani.
Born in Senegal, West Africa, lead singer of Meta and The Cornerstones, Meta Dia, discovered his love for music and desire to be a musician at a very young age. Listening to Reggae greats Bob Marley and Gregory Isaacs helped nurture his admiration and true appreciation for all types of music. As a self-taught musician, by age 14 he was performing on the street and stages of his hometown Dakar, Senegal. In 2000, Meta formed his first band YALLA SUUREN (God Bless), which was nominated for Best Hip-Hop/Reggae Group by the French Cultural Center the same year. Within two years, Meta had become one of the premier pioneering voices of the Hip-Hop culture in West Africa. After relocating to the United States, Meta immediately began collaborating with artists such as Sean Blackman, and Hip-Hop Ambassador Toni Blackman. Shortly after settling in New York City, he formed his visionary band, Meta and The Cornerstones.
With varying ethnicity, religion, and musical influences, Meta & The Cornerstones’ sound is a melting pot rooted in diversity, strength, and unity. Lead singer Meta Dia hails from Senegal; Israeli Guitarist Shahar Mintz; Texas born Daniel Serrato, and Keyboard Player Aya Kato from Japan, join Jamaicans Wayne Fletcher on Drums and Rupert McKenzie on Bass, and combine their creative differences from Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and America, which are clearly expressed in the repertoire of the band’s music.
Meta and The Cornerstones channels the roots of Reggae while simultaneously breathing new life into the genre, thus creating what critics have called a “soul-pounding spiritual experience” during their live performances. Inspired by Alpha Blondy and Lucky Dubee, they have shared the stage with Reggae stars Luciano, Steel Pulse, Clinton Fearon, Israel Vibration, and Tanya Stephens amongst others. In 2007, the band was personally invited by Senegalese-born international superstar, Youssou N’Dour to perform at his annual African Ball concert at the Nokia Theater in New York. The following year Meta and The Cornerstones proudly released its first album entitled “Forward Music“. Of this work Clive Chin; Jamaican producer for The Wailers, Dennis Brown, and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, notes, “Meta and The Cornerstones have taken us back to the foundation of reggae music”.
As he continues to establish new grounds, Meta is now the first African artist to be signed to the iconic record label VP Records, the#1 source for Reggae Music. Through VPAL/VP, Meta and The Cornerstones is set to release their second album ‘Ancient Power’ in the spring of 2013. Recorded at the infamous Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston Jamaica, ‘Ancient Power’ links Africa to Jamaica by paying tribute to the ageless sounds of reggae preserved by the history of its legends. The 15-track work features Reggae legend U-Roy, as well as today’s leading artists Capleton and Damian Marley.
With the vision to transcend oceans, borders, and language barriers through positive music, Meta and The Cornerstones never fails to create and convey a sincere, loving, and unifying vibe for every audience blessed to experience it. They truly have something to offer those that listen and that offering is always a message of ‘Peace, Love and Harmony’. So come… Immerse yourself in it.
On April 30, Meta and The Cornerstones will release their sophomore album Ancient Power.
Lead singer Meta Dia born in Senegal, West Africa, is a self-taught musician who by age 14 was performing on the streets and stages in his hometown of Dakar, Senegal.
Now proclaimed the next African Reggae Voice, Meta’s unforgettable vocals are complemented by the incomparable sounds of his band.
Fusing Reggae, Afro-Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, and Soul music with passionate lyrics in English, French, Wolof and Fulani, Meta and The Cornerstones music is warm and embodying, immensely addictive and destined to forever change the dynamics of Reggae music.
Recorded in Kingston, Jamaica at the one and only Tuff Gong Studios, Ancient Power is executive produced by Meta Dia and co-produced by Sidney Mills.
The album features guest collaborations with reggae vocalist Damian Marley and talented musicians like Dean Fraser, Julian Marley, Mikey Chung, Wayne “C-Sharp” Clarke and Wilburm “Squidly” Cole.
Richie Stephens & Gentleman – Live Your Life – Artwork
Beres Hammond In My Arms #1 Song of 2012
Marcia Griffiths – Marcia Griffiths And Friends – Artwork
Konshens #1 on the ‘TOP RATED 8’ with single ‘Walk and Wine’
Dancehall Now’s #1 Record Internationally for 2012
I-Octane
MARCIA GRIFFITHS AT ELEGANCE LOUNGE
Richie Spice on stage at Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records venue, for his Soothing Sounds: Acoustic album launch. [Photo by Niketa Thomas/NickFotoWorks]
Beres Hammond – One Love , One Life – Artwork
Famed Jamaican reggae singer Nadine Sutherland
TOP RATED INTERNATIONAL REGGAE AND DANCEHALL COUNTDOWN BEST OF 2012 BY HIGHLANDA SOUND & Terri K (Based on the Dancehall Now weekly Top Rated International 8 @ 8 Countdown compiled from a composite of all major global reggae and dancehall charts)
Founded in 1996, the MOBO (Music Of Black Origin Awards) Organisation was established by Kanya KingMBE to recognise the outstanding achievements of artists who perform music in genres ranging from Gospel, Jazz, RnB, Soul, Reggae to Hip Hop. Over the past 17 years MOBO has played an instrumental role in elevating black music and culture to mainstream popular status in the UK.
Cast your vote for this year’s Best Reggae Act Category – Vote Now
We present Highlanda Sound System with Kahlil Wonda at the controls and Super PEC providing some song introductions while interacting with the “rockers” and “skankers” in the venue. Selections from the Studio One and Bob Marley era to today’s Beres Hammond and Damian Marley with some nice “riddims” ridden and exclusive specials in the mix.
Download the audio from Reggae Vault Classics Volume #15 – Tribute to The Emperor, recorded live at The Royal Peacock on Thursday, July 19th, 2012.
Fusing the soul of R&B with the passion of Soca, Toronto-based recording artist Ms Paige has had the honor of performing at events on the same stage as many well-respected entertainers, including Edwin Yearwood, Bunji Garlin, Fayann Lyons, Iwer George and Omarion to name a few.
Listento the footage as Highlanda spins big international remixes and Ms Paige tells her story live on Dancehall Now. Downloadpodcast as an MP3.
This is the latest episode of the syndicated Reggae Vault Classics podcast produced for promotional purposes only by Highlanda Sound for 2011 featuring classic reggae music in a radio broadcast mix-show format.
This episode includes a Featured Mix of hits from the musical catalog of BARRINGTON LEVY. This live segment can be heard weekly on the Reggae Vault Classics Radio Show (Wednesdays 6pm – 9pm EST) on DaFlavaRadio.com, and Vibesfm.gm.
Please download the entire mp3 file or just click to listen to the audio stream now. We sincerely hope you enjoy the selections. Please send your comments, feedback, and requests to info@highlanda.net or feel free to comment here. If you like what you hear please subscribe and become a fan to get automatic updates when new shows are added.
![Kabaka Pyramid - Kontraband. DIGITAL RELEASE [Ghetto Youths International, Bebble Rock Records].](https://highlanda.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/kontraband.jpg?w=620&h=620)
has had the honor of performing at events on the same stage as many well-respected entertainers, including Edwin Yearwood, Bunji Garlin, 
Highlanda Sound 