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ROOTS / ROCK / REGGAE / RESPECT

#04.04

APR 2017

M A G A Z I N E

RESPECT.

CHALARAYNBIRDKINGFISHAAIMA MOSESNEXT CHAPTA9 MILE ROOTS

CHRONICLEMillie Small

NAN LEWIS

ROOTS.

ROCK.

Entertainment Works

AAA BADBOYRELEASES.

Struggle & Sunshine

RAS MIDASfeaturing

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ISSUE #04.04 / APRIL ‘420’ 2017

Nicholas ‘Nico’ Da Silva

Founder/Editor in Chief

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“ Music is my only weapon, singing is my self-defense.”

- Ras Midas

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aVAILABLE ON

Lior Ben-Hur’s debut album, So I Wander, is now available.

Produced by Marcus Urani (Groundation & Rising Tide),

So I Wander features special collaborations with artists 

Kumar Bent (Raging Fyah), Jah Levi, Yossi Fine, Iraqi-

Israeli world music expert, Yair Dalal and Palestinian

rapper, Saz.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Millie Small

My Boy Lollipop

Kindah

One Family

Nan Lewis

Entertainment Works

AAA Badboy

Struggle & Sunshine

Ras Midas

The Musical Prophet

Irie Trax

Roots. Rock. Reggae.

ROOTS.

RESPECT.

ROCK.

RELEASES.

REGGAE.

RIDDIMS.

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The ever-so-talented Millicent Dolly May Small,

more famously known as ‘Millie Small’, was born

on October 6, 1946 in Clarendon, Jamaica. She is

known for her rendition of the hit song ‘My Boy

Lollipop’ which has sold over six million records

worldwide and helped launch Island Records into

mainstream popularity and remains one of the

best-selling reggae hits of all time.

Millie’s career began after she won the Vere Johns

Opportunity Hour talent contest at the age of

twelve. Wanting to further pursue her career as

a singer, she moved in with relatives in Love Lane

in Kingston to be closer to the music scene. In her

teens, she recorded a duet of the song ‘Sugar Plum’

with Owen Gray in 1962 and would later record

with the ska hit ‘We’ll Meet’ with Roy Panton.

April 14, 1965

MY BOY LOLLIPOPMILLI SMALLROOTS.

Photo By: Harry Pot / Anefo - Nationaal Archief

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These hits caught the attention of Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell, who would end up becoming

her manager and legal guardian. In late 1963, Blackwell took Millie to Forest Hill, London, where she was

given intensive training in dancing and diction. It was there where she would make her fourth and quite

possibly most popular recording of an Ernest Ranglin rearrangement of ‘My Boy Lollipop’, a song originally

released by Barbie Gaye in late 1956 (originally titled ‘My Boy Lollypop’).

Blackwell, along with his associate, Chris Peers, were attempting to find songs for Millie to record when

they came across ‘My Boy Lollypop’ and found it to be the perfect fit for Millie’s range and style.

Ernest Ranglin, along with arranging the song, played guitar on the recording with the saxophone solo

from the original version being replaced by a harmonica solo.

Released in March 1964, Small’s version was a smash hit, reaching number two both in the UK Singles

Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, and number three in Canada before topping the charts in Australia.

The popularity of Small’s rendition lead to her performing the song live on the well-revered and watched

Australian programme Bandstand as well as the 1964 Beatles television special Around The Beatles.

Her later recordings, ‘Sweet William’ and ‘Bloodshot Eyes’, would also become hits in the UK, charting in at

numbers 30 and 48 respectively, with “Sweet William” peaking at number 40 in the US. The success

of Small’s music career would lead her to touring well into the 70s.

‘My Boy Lollipop’ also saw resurgence in popularity the UK in 1987 and was featured on the smash-hit

television programme Miami Vice. Small’s rendition of “My Boy Lollipop” is considered to be the first com-

mercially successful international ska song and has since sold more than seven million copies worldwide.

On 6 August 2011, the 49th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence, the Governor-General created Small

a Commander in the Order of Distinction for her contribution to the Jamaican music industry.

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Nan Lewis

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Nan Lewis opened Entertainment Works in 1989

as a direct result of her love with reggae music. A

professional publicist since 1974, she is well-versed

in marketing and promoting products and services

through editorial coverage in the media so, when

she was asked to manage a PR campaign for a

reggae band, switching to the music industry

was an easy transition.

Irie Magazine caught up with Nan Lewis to learn

more about Entertainment Works and the Musical

Prophet, Ras Midas.

The Interview

IRIE. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Where are you originally from and when did you

discover reggae music?

Nan Lewis. I’m from Massachusetts, I’ve lived on the

East Coast all of my life. I started my career as a pro-

fessional publicist in 1974, learning about marketing,

ROCK.

ENTERTAINMENT WORKS

NAN LEWIS

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Nan Lewis

advertising, public relations, and media relations on Madison Avenue — back when Madison Avenue was

the hub for the world’s big advertising and PR agencies. I first heard reggae music in 1984; I was living in

Durham, N.C., and I saw a local cover band doing Marley songs. I loved the rhythm of the music, so I started

checking out Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs...

IRIE. How did you get started in the music and entertainment industry?

Nan Lewis. By happenstance! In 1989, I had been a publicist for 15 years – mostly in the interior design

industry and for non-profits - so I knew how to market products and services. A band from Baltimore was

playing in Durham and, not seeing any publicity for the gig, I mentioned to them that I was a publicist. The

response was, “Come to Baltimore and work with us.” I moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and did just that.

IRIE. You founded Entertainment Works in 1989 and over the course of your career, have managed to

represent/work with many artists. Artists include Clinton Fearon, Nasio Fontaine, drummer Winston

Grennan, plus Rock N’ Roll inductee Bernie Worrell [co-founder of Parliament Funkadelic], and R&B

group Friends of Distinction... Were there any obstacles or surprises in setting up and running your

own PR agency?

Nan Lewis. Surprises? Yes! I had hardly chosen the agency name before bands and artists were contacting

me! The biggest obstacle was Nan Lewis: forcing her to leave the office. For the first several years, I worked

14 hour days, seven days a week.

One of my career highlights was RAW [Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide] founder Papa Pilgrim asking me to

join RAW’s Board of Directors as the PR Coordinator for the organization.

IRIE. How did you and Ras Midas meet?

Nan Lewis. Ras Midas heard about Entertainment Works, called me, and hired the agency.  Then based in

California, Ras Midas was touring in the U.S. that summer [1990]; I picked up his booking in Chicago, and

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Nan Lewis

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booked him shows to Maine, to Florida, and to New Orleans. Naturally, I booked a show in Baltimore, and

we met in person in July 1990. We worked together throughout the 90s.

In the meantime, I was also the Marketing & PR Director for a Baltimore-based company that booked nation-

al touring Broadway Shows. Moving to Florida in 2001, I closed EW in 2002 and took the position of Market-

ing & PR Manager of the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg; health issues prompted my retirement in 2009.

In January 2012, Ras Midas called and asked if I would re-open Entertainment Works to work with him

again; I said “yes” without any hesitation. I knew his work ethic, his professionalism, that he was very

committed – and very talented.

And I had always liked what Ras Midas stood for: his “One Love Revolution” philosophy promoting equal

rights and justice, acceptance of others, and peaceful co-existence.

IRIE. What makes representing Ras Midas, the Musical Prophet, special to you?

Nan Lewis. A publicist’s success is hinged on their relationship with the media. Entertainment Works is Nan

Lewis, and Nan Lewis is Entertainment Works. If one EW client snubs the media, it reflects on me, on the

agency, and it could compromise future work for other clients. I never worry about Ras Midas missing an

interview; he is one of the most professional artists I’ve ever known. And, importantly, Ras Midas is special.

He is an authentic person. A talented songwriter and composer. He has a distinct voice and a wonderful stage

presence; his performances have been consistent over the 27 years that I’ve known him. Ras Midas is special

because he is the real deal: a genuine roots rock reggae foundation artist with original rhythms and melodies,

thought-provoking and conscious lyrics. I am honored to represent Ras Midas.

IRIE. When choosing an artist to represent, what qualities, traits or behaviors are you looking for?

Nan Lewis. First, the artist’s lyrics must be clean. No slang, swearing, no derogatory terms or words. First,

yes, twice, recordings must be made with real musicians - no computers.  And, yes, first once more: the artist

and I need to “click,” establish a good understanding so we can work together comfortably.

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Nan Lewis

IRIE. When is it the right time for an artist to hire a PR company?

Nan Lewis. For specific performances, a publicist requires at least two months to research the local media,

establish a relationship with the media rep, pitch the story, and score interviews. For a new album release,

a year will allow the creation and implementation of a full-fledged international PR campaign and the time

required to implement it – to schedule publicity to hit when the album is released, and to continue after

the release to ensure the public’s interest in the album/artist increases. As a professional in the marketing

industry for over four decades, I also provide advice and counsel on album artwork and inserts, editing the

copy to meet professional AP [Associated Press] standards and confirming all credits and important links

are included.

IRIE. What are your immediate/future plans for Ras Midas? Entertainment Works?

Nan Lewis. Ras Midas and I work very closely together; however, he is the client and the final decisions

are his. We’ve been focusing on the release of RASTAMAN IN EXILE [16 October 2016 on JML Records],

and now we are concentrating on the publicity for the CD. EW coordinates bookings for Ras Midas, so

concurrent plans are to partner with an agency in Europe for the first leg of the Autumn/Winter 2017

“Rastaman In Exile Tour.”

With the agency’s main focus on Ras Midas, my current and continued plans for EW are to provide

dependable and professional marketing, PR, publicity, and media relations services to recording and

performing artists. 

IRIE. Give thanks Nan Lewis!

Nan Lewis. Thank you, Nico! Without the media, I am not able to do my job. As a publicist, I stay behind

the scenes; EW is hired to get publicity for its clients, not for itself or me. Being invited to be interviewed

by IRIE Magazine has been an interesting experience! Onward and forward, with peace and love...

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REGGAE.RAS MIDASTHE MUSICAL PROPHET

JAM

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Ras Midas

Featured Album

Rastaman in ExileOctober 16, 2016

Singer, songwriter, performing and recording artist, composer and producer, Ras Midas has produced

critically acclaimed roots rock Reggae music since 1974, when he began recording unique and innovative

songs for legendary Jamaican producer, the late Harry Johnson (Harry J Recording Studio, Kingston, JA).

Ras Midas’s first album, Cover Me (1974), was released on Harry J Records/ Trojan Records, and was

followed by Reflections in 1976. His first international hit, ‘Kude-A-Bamba’, was recorded in English and,

at Chris Blackwell’s suggestion, in Swahili on Harry J Records/ Island Records (1976); the single quickly

sold half a million copies worldwide.

Kude-A-Bamba (1978) and Rain And Fire (1979) were released on

Harry J Records / Island Records; Rastaman In Exile was recorded at

Harry J’s and released on Disc AZ International (France) in 1980, and

voted Reggae Album Of The Year in France.

In 1984 Stand Up Wise Up, recorded at Harry J’s, was released on

Celluloid (France).

In 1979, Ras Midas collaborated with the late Jamaican DJ I-Roy

(Roy Samuel Reid), on 12" disco mixes of ‘Kude-A-Bamba’, ‘Trouble

Town’, and ‘Good Old Days’ (Harry J Records/Virgin Records), and

THE MUSICAL PROPHETRAS MIDASREGGAE.

Photography By: Nan Lewis

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‘Good Old Days’ were re-released in 1981 on Tribesman Records, U.K. The disco mixes of ‘Can’t Stop

Rastaman Now’ and ‘Rain And Fire’ were released on Warrior Records, a subsidiary of Universal Records,

in 1980.

Stand Up Wise Up was re-released on vinyl in the U.S. on Ras Midas’s label, JML Records, in 1988, followed

by Loving Vibration (1998), Confirmation (2000), Reaching Out (2006), and Fire Up (2010).

Rastaman In Exile - remixed and remastered, was released on CD in October, 2016 on JML Records.

Loving Vibration was rated No. 3 by music critics in the 1998 Top Ten independently produced World

Music albums category and, two years later, Confirmation was a Top Ten contender for consideration for

a Grammy Award.

Always recording with top-notch, respected musicians and vocalists, Ras Midas’s albums feature background

vocals from Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, Pamela Hall, Annesa Banks, Keble Drummond,

Carlton Smith, Junior Moore, and The Tamlins.

Sylvan Morris, one of the most acclaimed Reggae music engineers and

arrangers, worked with Ras Midas on all of his albums except Reaching

Out and Fire Up.

A Rastaman with a distinctive style and a silky smooth voice, RasMidas

sings with the mission of a musical revolutionary. Dubbed ‘The Musical

Prophet’ early in his career, Ras Midas’s powerful messages of social

justice, love, unity, and spiritual consciousness have remained unchanged

over four decades.

Consistently presenting electrifying performances which showcase positive lyrics sung over solid, original,

Featured Album

Fire Up2010

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Ras Midas

Featured Album

Reaching OutJune 15, 2006

and authentic roots rock Reggae rhythms, Ras Midas continues to push traditional Reggae music into a

new and contemporary dimension while still retaining its roots.

The Interview

IRIE. You were born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica in 1958, right at the beginning of the birth of reggae

music in the form of Ska. Can you share any memories from your childhood?

Ras Midas. Yes, I was fortunate to be born when Ska music was created. I never knew too much about the

early days but, from about age 10, I listened to Don Drummond and The Skatalites, Desmond Dekker,

Prince Buster, Derrick Morgan, The Wailers, Jimmy Cliff. I learned that Ska was authentic Jamaican music

created by Jamaican musicians to celebrate independence from England. Ska music was the music of

Jamaican liberation.

IRIE. You grew up in a Rastafari family. Is it true that you were taught the Rastafarian faith by your

grandmother? What does Rastafari mean to you?

Ras Midas. Yes, my grandmother taught me about Rastafari. She didn’t teach me that it was a faith or a

religion. What she explained was that the concept of Rastafari evolved from the ideology of Marcus Garvey

and the philosophy of Haile Selassie.

So I grew up understanding that Rastafari was a spiritual, cultural, and conscious revolutionary movement to

become self-reliant and independent from British Colonialism—and now, from modern Babylon.

For me personally, Rastafari is a way of life. You don’t talk about it; you live it. Rastafari helped me to evolve

into a better person, and to better understand people and to respect other cultures.

My music is a direct result of my spiritual being; my lyrics speak for the down-trodden, for those who contin-

ue to seek equal rights and justice.

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Featured Album

ConfirmationJune 16, 1999

IRIE. You began your music career at the age of 16, recording songs for the legendary Jamaican producer

Harry Johnson (Harry J Recording Studio, Kingston, JA). How did this opportunity come about?

Ras Midas. I was introduced to Harry Johnson by a family friend when I was 14, and Harry decided to give

me an audition. He said he was “impressed by my melodies and lyrics” but he said I needed to practice more

and to come back in two years’ time. So I went to see Harry J when I was 16, I sang for him again, and he

decided that he would record and produce me.

IRIE. Your first international hit was the single, ‘Kude-A-Bamba’, which sold a half a million copies

worldwide in 1976. What do you attribute the success of the single to? Can you tell us what

‘Kude-A-Bamba’ means?

Ras Midas. When I was growing up, my grandmother used the saying, kude-a-bamba. I asked her what

it meant, where the expression came from; she told me expression kude-a-bamba came from the tribal

language of the Ashanti people in Ghana, and that it meant “love of the common people.” After her death, I

decided to write a song as a tribute to my family and friends.

Listen to the lyrics, and you will hear me sing about Granny Sarah, Auntie Belle, grandpa and my childhood

friends, and the way of life in our community. ‘Kude-A-Bamba’ was released on Island Records in 1976, and

Island promoted the single worldwide; they did a good job marketing the song.

IRIE. How did the name Ras Midas come about and what is the meaning behind it?

Ras Midas. When I start recording for Harry J, we were discussing a recording name for me that would work

well for my concept and style of music. I suggested some names to Harry, but he decided that “Ras Midas” fit

me: it was catchy, powerful, and easy to remember.

Plus, it was different from the other artists in Jamaica. Sylvan Morris agreed with Harry, so Ras Midas be-

came my professional name.

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Ras Midas

Featured Album

Loving VibrationJuly 16, 1996

IRIE. In 1980, you released your iconic album, RASTAMAN IN EXILE, which was recorded at Harry J Studio

and at Channel One, and was engineered by Sylvan Morris. The album won France’s Reggae Album of

the Year award. From the title track, ‘Rastaman in Exile’, to tracks such as ‘Plague And Armageddon’ and

‘Melchizedek’, each song delivers a prophetic message. Did you know at the time that you were creating

one of reggae’s greatest master pieces?

Ras Midas. I really never know but when we were recording the album, Morris said to me, “Midas, this album

sound powerful, man. The lyrics and the composition that you have here... if you and your manager will give

me the time to work on it the right and proper way, this album can be one of your best recordings.” And this is

what we precisely did!

I was living in France back then so my manager suggested that I voice one of the songs in French to market

the album to French speaking people around the world. I have heard that “Trop Longtemps Dans Le Vent”

(“Too Long In The Wind”) was the first reggae song recorded in French by a Jamaican artist.

When we were doing the over-dubbing at Harry J’s, I met a gentleman from France, who asked me to get in

touch with him when the album was finished. So my manager sent him three songs, including “Trop Long-

temps Dans Le Vent.” Interested, he shopped the album, and Disc AZ International decided to distribute and

promote the album. At the end of 1980, reggae fans in France voted RASTAMAN IN EXILE “Reggae Album of

the Year,” which was a great honor.

IRIE. You’ve worked with acclaimed engineer, Sylvan Morris, on all of your albums except Reaching Out

(2006) and Fire Up (2010). What was your working relationship like with Sylvan Morris and can you share

with us any memorable moments while working together?

Ras Midas. Very great, very wonderful. Morris and I keep in touch to this day; we share memories of our

past recording experiences and our future recording plans, as well as our philosophies of life. Morris took

me under his wing when I was 16 and told me that I am a “natural talent,” that I have something “special and

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Featured Album

Stand Up Wise UpDecember 09, 2016

spiritual” within me, and that he will do what he can to help me achieve my goals. Morris taught me to be

disciplined, to have confidence in myself, not to run around to different producers, and to listen to him as an

experience sound engineer – and I listened to Morris.

A special memory is recording ‘Kude-A- Bamba’ and Harry J and Morris were laughing because they never

heard those words before – “Kude Kude Kude Kude, Kude-A-Bamba” - and the way I was singing the song,

they thought it was unusual but at the same time they said it was catchy. “Midas, this song sounds differ-

ent!” Sly [Dunbar] and Robbie [Shakespeare] started to laugh, too, and Sly said to Harry, “Where you get

this singer from?” Ansel Collins told everyone, “Let us stop laughing and lay the rhythm; this is the kind of

song that will make it.”

IRIE. Who are some of your musical influence and where do you find inspiration in your songwriting?

Ras Midas. I am not an artist who was influenced by other people. I listen to other artists but I do not adapt

their style into my work. My inspiration comes from everyday life, the struggle of the common people, events

around the world, and spiritual creativeness. My music and lyrics come out of me naturally.

IRIE. Much Respect, Ras Midas! Dubbed the Musical Prophet in Europe since 1979, your songs are filled

with messages of love, unity, social justice and spiritual consciousness. You are a true music revolution-

ary, educating us with your music while never, ever being apologetic for exposing the real truth. You have

been producing true roots reggae music for over four decades, yet your music remains unchanged. Why

is that important to Ras Midas?

Ras Midas. Well, when your music is natural and you are inspired to sing the truth, then you are not afraid

to share the history of injustice... of what the negative leaders of the world are doing to innocent people. I

simply sing the truth as I see it. What I’ve seen since I was a youth is history repeating itself over and over, so

I keep singing songs about injustice. It is important to me to educate people and to spread the concept of love

and equality, of tolerance, respect, and acceptance. This is what I call the One Love Revolution.

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Ras Midas

Featured Album

Rastaman in Exile1980 (France)

IRIE. Through your illustrious career, you managed to collaborate and work with only the best musicians

and singers in the business. It’s like a Who’s Who of Reggae Music. Can you share with us a few of the

people you have worked with?

Ras Midas. The list is long - I’ve been recording a long time! Since the beginning of my career, I have been

very fortunate to work with some of the best musicians and singers from Jamaica. Where do I start? (Laughs.)

Musicians I have worked with include:

Drums - Sly Dunbar, Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace, Mikey Richards, Carlton ‘Santa’ Davis; Bass - Robbie

Shakespeare, Val Douglas, Ian Lewis (Inner Circle), Ranchie McLean; Guitar – Ernest Ranglin, Andy

Bassford, Dwight Pickney, Lloyd ‘Gitsy’ Willis, Eric ‘Bingi Bunny’ Lamont, Winston ‘Bo Pee’ Bowan;

Keyboards - Gladstone ‘Gladdy’ Anderson, Ansell Collins, Winston Wright, Franklin ‘Bubbler’ Waul,

Earl ‘Wire’ Lindo, Peter Ashbourne, Robert Lynn; Harmonica – Jimmy Becker; Horns - Dean Frazer,

Ronald ‘Nambo’ Anderson, Junior ‘Chico’ Chin, Glen De Costa; Percussion – Uzziah ‘Sticky’ Thompson,

Noel ‘Skully’ Simms, Sylvan Morris, Herman “Bongo Herman” Davis and Leroy ‘Mabrak’ Mattis.

Singers include Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, Pamela Hall, Annesa Banks, Keble Drummond,

and The Tamlins.

IRIE. On October 16, 2016, you re-released RASTAMAN IN EXILE. What do you hope the new generation

of reggae fans take from the album? If you could share one message from this album, what would that

message be?

Ras Midas. I hope they will carefully listen to the message... take time and truly hear the lyrics. Understand

the spiritual and healing message of my music. I am truly a revolutionary artist since I began my career, and I

have no plans to change – this is who I am.  

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Featured Album

Rain & Fire1979

I also hope people will understand that the musi-

cians and singers who recorded on RASTAMAN

IN EXILE are real people, coming together and

working together to create original sound —

authentic roots rock reggae music. These are

dedicated musicians and singers who perform

from their heart and soul.

IRIE. Is there anything you would like to share

with our audience?

Ras Midas. My hope is that my music will help my

brothers and sisters around the world to stand up

and wise up. To work together to make this world a

better place for all people, no matter their nation-

ality, color, creed, or political or cultural opinion.

This is the concept of the One Love Revolution.

IRIE. Much love and Respect, Ras Midas!

Ras Midas. Thank you, Nico, for inviting me to

share my thoughts and experiences. It is a great

honor to be featured in IRIE Magazine. One love

to all.

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RESPECT.

Kingfisha

Australia

Raynbird

Jamaica

Next Chapta

Trinidad and Tobago

Chala

United States

9 Mile Roots

United States

Aima Moses

Dominica

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AUSKINGFISHA

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Kingfisha

Featured Album

Offered It UpSeptember 02, 2016

Internationally renowned dub aficionados KINGFISHA stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best

proponents of the genre. Sultry, expert, and undeniably infectious, the KINGFISHA sound highlights deep

all-encompassing rhythms with a feather-light touch and understated soul vocal that has built them an

impeccable reputation as Australia’s bass-heavy roof-raisers.

Described as “unique as a fingerprint” by Scenestr and “completely fresh” by Rip It Up - the band were

invited to showcase at pre-eminent international showcases BigSound before the celebrated 2013 album

release which landed a coveted show at AWME in Melbourne shortly after.

Charting nationally across community radio with a swag of ‘Feature Albums’, TripleJ rotation and an Un-

earthed Roots win, a Queensland Music Award and three stellar tours, it’s safe to say the self-titled album

of gorgeous vocals, exceptional musicianship and songwriting had hit the mark.

Not surprisingly, KINGFISHA were well received on their first New Zealand tour, returning home to play

Island Vibe Festival, Rainbow Serpent Festival, and IOMMA [Indian Ocean Music Expo on Reunion Island].

Festival appearances like these became KINGFISHA’s natural habitat and they were added to an illustrious

list including Woodford Folk Festival, Mullum Music Festival, Womadelaide, The Big Chill Festival, Apollo

KINGFISHARESPECT.

“So smooth and understated it verges on soulful.”THE BRAG

“With a range of infusions, their sound is distinctly reggae layered with some gorgeous vocal melodies to create a completely fresh sound.”

RIP IT UP

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Kingfisha

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Featured Album

KingfishaMay 14, 2012

Bay Music Festival, Wide Open Spaces Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, The Kuranda Roots Festival,

Shine On Festival and the inaugural Newstead Roots Festival.

In 2015, KINGFISHA, in collaboration with Canadian EDM label Westwood

Recordings, flipped their dedicated roots vibe on its head by releasing the

surprise Kingfisha Remixed EP. Featuring a varied roster of producers from the

UK, Holland, Canada and Australia, the project has amassed in excess of 250,000

plays on Soundcloud. The Funk Hunters remix of ‘Digging For Fire’ reached #11

on the Beatport Glitch Hop chart while the EP also held the #1 spot on the

Dub/Reggae charts for several weeks.

With this, their already exceptional run of success, an impeccable live show honed in front of tens of

thousands of people over 6-odd years, recently inked deals with 123 Agency for bookings and ABC

Music for the release of Offered It Up, KINGFISHA are poised to make some major in-roads in an

already stellar career.

“Kingfisha have a sound that stretches back into history’s pages of roots music and one that is as unique as a fingerprint.”

SCENESTR

“Kingfisha have produced a body of work that was well worth the wait.”BEAT

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NEX CHAPTA TTO

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Nex Chapta

Featured Single

Good Morning RastaNovember 07, 2016

Meet Nex Chapta™... hailing from the twin island country of Trinidad and Tobago.

The name ‘Nex Chapta’ symbolizes progressive change since nothing in life is constant except change itself.

It represents the beginning of another phase, a new movement and a new message. Nex Chapta performs a

fine catalogue of their original reggae and reggae fusion music.

In July 2016, they released their first single entitled ‘Good Morning Rasta’; a reggae social commentary on

the difficult times that the world faces today. The song highlights the negativity pervading society while

delivering a hopeful message. The track features vocals, drums and bass guitar reminiscent of roots reggae

but injects different elements of soul through the other instruments featured.

A stylistically unique Reggae Band from day one, the members of Nex Chapta have been been singing, per-

forming, and playing in sync as if they’d been together their entire musical careers. Throughout the course

of the band’s union, they have won over the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life; performing at a

variety of venues, all the while recording new music.

The group is determined to return positivity to society by injecting natural goodness through our music. The

message behind our sound is one of family, love, awareness, hope and the active pursuit of good vibrations.

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9 MILE ROOTS USA

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9 Mile Roots

Featured Album

ReEvolveMay 19, 2017

When you think of the band, 9 Mile Roots, you immediately think of rock reggae vibes with hard rock riffs,

hip-hop flow, smooth brass licks & rock-steady hooks. This Suburban Roots Reggae band founded in 2009

and based out of the Baltimore / DC metro is definitely an Irie Magazine favorite.

Growing up on the Mid-Atlantic music scene, 9 Mile Roots has developed a sound that blends together

California-style reggae vibes with the catchy hip-hop feel that is a Baltimore-area signature, and the

traditional rock band crunch that pushes the beat continually forward.  Their high-energy sound perfectly

compliments their dynamic stage show, keeping the crowd on their toes with a commanding presence

and booming melody hooks.  As their name signifies - standing on the shoulders of giants, the band finds

it important to pay respect and homage to the Jamaican roots and origin of the music they love to make,

while pushing the boundaries of what’s become the Rock Reggae genre.

ReEvolve is the third studio release from 9 Mile Roots.  Continually growing, updating, and rolling with the

punches - the band has changed over the years, both emotionally as people and physically with different

musicians who’ve come and gone.  Each album produced has had its own unique sound and feel to it.  Just

before the start of writing this album a lot had changed again, new instrumentation pushed the band in

a slightly different direction and the process of updating out sound began a new... Evolving once again! 

ReEvolve is their finest work yet, and they are very proud and excited to release it for everyone to enjoy.

ReEvolve will be released May 19th - available for presale beginning 4/20 ! To celebrate their new album

release, Irie Magazine will be featuring 9 Mile Roots on the cover of the June 2016 Cali Reggae edition.

Yes I!

9 MILE ROOTSRESPECT.

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RAYNBIRD JAM

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Featured Album

The Beginning2017

Raynbird, aka Rayner, is a self taught multi instrumentalist, composer, producer and photographer.

He was born and raised in Kingston Jamaica, and later immigrated to the United States to study Mechanical

Engineering. Though he had always loved music and had a desire to perform being from a small island with

limited resources meant he wasn’t able to fully harness those skills as a teenager.

It was in the USA while studying that he joined his first band and started playing his first instrument the

bass Guitar.

“Its crazy the people you meet during the course of your life” he recalls. “I met Asaad on my first day at

UNT and asked him if he knew where I could buy a cell phone. He walked with me to the cell phone store

and we discussed music. He grew up in St. Louis and wanted to play reggae. I never touched an instrument

before but volunteered to be his bass player. We ended up forming a band a few months later and had

been friends for years. Until I moved away”

Raynbird has a very eclectic taste in music and has a large album collection that spans a wide range of

genres from classical, jazz, all the way to death metal and of course Reggae. These influences combine to

create a very unique and innovative sound.

“I really struggle to think in terms of one genre, so I just play whatever comes to me. Hopefully people will

dig it.”

We dig it, brother! Maaad Respect!

RAYNBIRDRESPECT.

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CHALA

USA

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Chala

Featured Single

Let It RainOctober 16, 2013

Based on the island of Maui, the band CHALA is a collective of extremely talented musicians from around

the world. Their sound is melting pot of Reggae, Rock, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Latin grooves. The band has re-

leased three music videos for the songs ‘Can’t Stop Smiling’, ‘New Beginnings’ and ‘Let It Rain’.

CHALA BEGINNINGS

Chala’s beginnings start with writer, musician and producer Benjamin Cerda. Benjamin was born in South

America Chile but raised in Northern California. Influenced by his musician parents, he couldn’t help but to

pick up the guitar at an early age. Like all kids, Ben went through different phases of musical genres. Night

after night listening to his parents different records, artist’s like The Bee Gee’s, The Beatles, Earth Wind and

Fire, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, B.B King and of course his Mom’s favorite ‘Salsa’.

After learning and studying all these styles for so many years, he finally came a cross an artist by the name

of Bob Marley. A whole new door opened up for him, ‘Reggae’. As any reggae fan would, Ben discovered other

bands like Steel Pulse and UB40. Mixing reggae with his rock, blues, and latin grooves was the beginning of a

new style, that he likes to call ‘CHALA’.

At the age of eighteen, Ben moved to Maui Hawaii to build with his father. He immediately fell in love with

the island, its love for reggae music and of course ‘Da Surf’. After the house was built, he decided to work and

live on his own. Working as a waiter in a fine dining restaurant and playing music on the side, which lasted

about two years.

At this time, his South American roots had been calling him. It was time for a change, the thought of learning

spanish, playing latin music and meeting the other half of his family was extremely inviting. So, he packed

CHALARESPECT.

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Featured Album

Walk This WorldMarch 27, 2014

his bags, jumped on a plane and in 24 hours he landed in a foreign country that immediately felt like home.

What he thought would be a three month trip, turned into seven years.

Describing Chile in his own words “Chile is full of life, music and culture, surrounded by passion and love”. He

thought he would never leave.

After building several houses with his father, snowboarding year round and playing live music on a frequent

bases, his life got flipped around after one phone call. Ben’s mother was fighting cancer. There was only one

thing to do, drop everything he was doing and move back to America to take care of her. Ben and his brother

Sebastian wanted to give their mother the best. So, with know hesitation they brought her to Maui Hawaii.

The whole move was a blessing in disguise. Bibi brought Ben back to Maui!

Since then Benjamin Cerda has been living on Maui and living the dream. For four years Benjamin played bass

for The Alliez which played countless shows through out Hawaii, and two West Coast tours which included

Reggae on the River twice. After playing and touring with several bands from both Maui and California, Ben

decided to start his own project ‘CHALA’.

Trying to find the right players was not easy, but in the beginning of 2013 Ben put together a five piece band

that has clicked ever since. On lead vocals and guitars Ben Cerda, on bass guitar Kana Pikini, on keyboards and

vocals Andrew Hubbard aka Dooby, on drums Jimmy Cui, on back up and lead vocals Yaya Evelyn. All of these

musicians are very well known on the islands of Hawaii.

At the same time, Chala has collaborated on and off stage, and in the studio with artists like Irie Dole, Jordan

T, Lawaia, Lion Fiyah, Jeff Hornbeck, Becki D, Paul Bunaun, Hector Serrano, and Calvin Canha of Inna Vision.

On and off stage Chala has an energy so positive and contagious, you can’t help but want to be apart of it.

In the winter of 2013, Chala recorded there first Single ‘Dawn Patrol’, which immediately attracted attention

through out radio in Hawaii. Soon after that they released the single hit ‘New Beginnings’ which stayed on

radio rotation all of 2013. Soon after that, Chala released ‘Can’t Stop Smiling’ which went straight to #1

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Chala

Featured EP

New BeginningsJuly 22, 2013

requested song on Q103 Maui Radio. In March 2014, Chala released their first full length album ‘Walk This

World’, produced by Ben Cerda and Jimmy Cui of Rumble Rock Recordz. The album is a mix of reggae, R&B, rock

and folk. Since then, ‘Walk This World’ has gotten world wide attention and continues to get play on radios in

Hawaii, California and South America.

In December of 2014, Chala’s lead man Ben Cerda went on a solo acoustic tour that started in Austin Texas

and ended in San Diego California. In April of 2015, Chala released the new hit EP ‘Peaceful Farmer’, which

included Hawaii’s #1- 420 song ‘Smokin Trees’ featuring Irie Dole and Yaya Lioness.

Since then, the EP has attracted worldwide distribution, and Chala promoted the new EP in May of 2015 with

a four month tour through South America Chile and Argentina.

In January of 2016, Chala released the hit single ‘No more Friction’ featuring Lion Fiyah, which received play

through out Hawaiian radio’s. In the mean time, Chala is in the middle of recording their next full length album

at Bassyard Studios on Maui. Chala is currently playing shows locally on Maui. Stay tuned for further dates

and locations.

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AIMA MOSES DMA

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Aima Moses

Aima Moses hails directly out of Dominica, the humble West Indies country of many rivers. Aima’s love

for music started early as a church choir singer and has transformed to where he is today. He is no new-

comer to the business and is building his name and brand with his silky smooth voice and inspiring lyrical

arrangements.

Aima’s accomplishments include winning Dominica’s Best Reggae Album in 2005 for his ‘No Barriers’

release. In 2008, Aima went on to win the Best Reggae Artiste in Dominica. His popularity continued and

he was awarded and named New Artist of the Year by Caribbean Music Media in 2013.

In addition to official recognitions, Aima has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean,

Europe, and Africa. He has performed with, or opened for many International artists including; Capleton,

Don Carlos, Tarrus Riley, Duane Stephenson, Fantan Mojah, Morgan Heritage, Beres Hammond, Beenie

Man, Movado, Gyptian, Etana, and Khago, among others.

Aima’s music is powerful, uplifting, and spiritual. These key elements in his music fight the oppression,

injustice, and corruption in our world. This is evident in his ‘Make It One Day’ video, shot in Kingston,

Jamaica. He has also composed some of the most expressive and compelling love songs of this era.

Fans can look forward to a continuation of uplifting music encompassing positive messages, and an

electrifying and charismatic stage performance that never disappoints.

AIMA MOSESRESPECT.

IRIEMAG.COM

RELEASES.AAA BADBOYStruggles & Sunshine (Reggae Revolution Pt. II)

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GBR

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AAA BADBOY

Featured Mix

Struggle & SunshineApril 13, 2017

Although known for playing many different types of music, Reggae has always been at the very heart of

what Kaptin Barrett aka AAA Badboy (the latest alias of many) is about. Ever since his early days on East

and West London housing estates such as Kingsmead and White City, he’s been a fan of Roots Reggae and

has been playing out his selection of 7”s at clubs and festivals for nearly 2 decades. As Head Of Music for

Boomtown Fair festival in the UK, he is responsible for programming the epic Lion’s Den stage, a life size

temple of reggae with waterfalls, flames and some of the biggest reggae acts in the world.

This year there’s a strong focus on Reggae Revival artists across the festival such as Protoje, Raging Fyah,

Jah9, Jesse Royal and Iba Mahr and his latest mix follows along the same lines, pushing a sound that is

possibly more relevant now than it has ever been.

Irie Magazine invites you to check out AAA Badboy’s Mixcloud page and discover his latest reggae mix,

‘Struggle & Sunshine (Reggae Revolution Pt. II)’, featuring an A-list of reggae artists appearing at this year’s

(and previous years) Boomtown Fair.

https://www.mixcloud.com/AAABADBOY/struggle-sunshine-reggae-revolution-pt-ii/

ABOUT BOOMTOWN

Now approaching it’s 9th ‘Chapter’, Boomtown has grown into a 60,000 capacity pop up city, which is

part theater, inviting you to be a character in it’s interactive storyline, and part music festival with 27

main stages and over 100 smaller street venues playing everything from Reggae and Jungle to Jazz and

Gypsy Music, with Ska, Punk, Drum N Bass, Ragga Tek, French Tek, Psy-trance, House, Techno, Folk,

Electro Swing and many other styles represented. It’s really something that has to be seen to be believed.

AAA BADBOYRELEASES.

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Rastaman in Exile

Ras Midas

On The Floor

9 Mile Roots

Good Morning Rasta

Nex Chapta

Struggle & Sunshine (Reggae Revolution Pt. II)

AAA BadBoy

A Never Ending Dub Story

Raynbird

Let It Rain

Chala

Let The People Go

Ras Midas

IRIE TRAXRIDDIMS.

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ter

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IRIE would like to thank the following people who helped make this issue a successful one. Without their efforts, this magazine would not be possible.

Michelle Monreal, Giovanna Guimarães, Ashley Hyde, Nan Lewis (Enter-tainment Works) and Harry Pot / Anefo - Nationaal Archief (Millie Small), Hardy (Chala), Josh Behun - Roots Collective (9 Mile Roots), Scott Habicht - Talon Photography (9 Mile Roots) and Cameron Schuyler - Empire Design (9 Mile Roots).

Nuff Respect!