CANADIAN REGGAE WORLD
  • Home
  • RFL ~ Artists ~ Events
  • Blog

Kabaka Pyramid wins 2023 Reggae Grammy

2/7/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
For the man, the artist and the person that I met, this is a most deserving award, because we still put so much credence in winning one of the music industry's most coveted awards

Last year, when a white reggae band, Soja, won the award, there was a massive upheaval for some, watching as white culture infiltrated once again, not only performing, but winning the award

Some tell me that Soja deserved the award based on their contributions that are over a decade of music, touring and performing yet it still does not / did not sit well with many

Non-Jamaicans winning global / American reggae awards seem ludicrous with the NUMBERS of artists, songs and decades of performers doing it on the island.  But once the genre leaves Jamaican shores, anything can gwaan

We have no power inside or outside of Jamaica for the protection of reggae nor reggae artists as far as I'm concerned.  The numbers of veteran artists suffering financially at this time is one clear indicator of the lack of focus Jamaica's governing bodies have in protecting solid contributors over the years.  The numbers of artist's works in the genre on the rock leaves little room for foreign reggae artists and bands, yet they can end up winning because it is actually "their" award show

We are always at the mercy of the machine that runs the game

Well deserved win for Kabaka Pyramid, who is a young artist with a fairly deep catalogue and is a highly conscious RasTaman.  For him to reap any rewards based on talent and hard work, creating more sales for this souljah is a blessing for I man to witness

Consciousness spotlighted is a plus for the planet

I met Kabaka Pyramid through Canadian / Jamaican reggae legend African Star, Stuart Brown, at his spot on Eglinton at the time, called Sankofa, when he and his band were in Toronto for a performance {2015 maybe}

I went to the presser to interview him but when I arrived, I saw the signs of an artist that had done one too many interviews in a short space of time, so I took a step back and allowed him to just chill.  Yet as the evening rolled on we came together, one on one, and shared a few moments just reasoning.  I will obviously remember it far more than he will.  I was struck then at his humility and a mannerly, gracious spirit and felt like I got much more than an interview

We had a moment

It is blessing to me that this artist reaps rewards in this biased and skewed game of international awards, giving ises to a conscious Rastaman with positive messages for the planet

Congratulations Kabaka Pyramid on your Grammy 2023 award win and continued success

JuLion 
Picture
0 Comments

Ras Spanky ~ Sovereign Smoke

2/3/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
​A man in Jamaica sent a letter to all his relatives, through a 3rd party, that he had died and needed some aid with the funeral.  The families abroad sent thousands so that dude could have a proper burial

Our bredrin, collected all of the money, bought a house, a van and started a successful delivery business which his family soon heard about and started to cuss my dude on how deceitful he is

Our bredrin wrote back to the family saying, “If I asked you all to invest in a home, van or business with me, none of you would yet you will pay for my death”

Moral of the story, give love, praise, money, honor to those who you live with today

Spanky gave me this story which I wrote in my own interpretation, but yu ketch the drift

Spanky persevered through the abusive fire of babylon and 2023 him still deh yah

He lives a life guided by Garvey, Malcolm, Nanny molded by Haile Selassie l.  The world loves to honor man and man after dem nuh deh bout so I honor him today because I man rate how he stood up to over three hundred raids {I guestimate} and standing firm as Sovereign Smoke today
​
Simeon Johnson, Ras Spanky is a general in my community who has paid dearly for his efforts to service his community as herb man, a business owner, owner and selecta of Stur Gav

A reggae souljah, a RasTafari elder who has persevered close to three decades to move DJ Records, his business name for 25 years, to Sovereign Smoke today

I asked him how many times he has been raided by de guy dem.  I asked, "100 times?" and he says, "more dan dat man", I asked, "200 times?" he says, "more Dan dat man", I ask, "300 times?" to which he said, "de numba cyaa count"

Whatever the number busts, de numba nuh matta, Ras Spanky still deh pon de block, serving his community

I pride myself as a reggae man and others know me as such and a part of my reggae job is to spotlight the souljahs in the game that have elevated our culture and in his case, continues to do so

Twenty-five plus years at 2508 Eglinton Avenue West, there are volumes of vinyl for sale, RasTafari products, djembes, roots drinks and tonics, which are always available to the public

On a Friday evening, we are running a series with DJs within the city, who contribute to Toronto / Canadian reggae culture.  Last Friday, 13 January, David Kingston was behind the decks playing so fire tracks.  As some may be aware, David had a truly popular show while CKLN 88.1FM was still functional

David Kingston a true godfather of the Canadian reggae scene and highly respected for his contribution.  Truth is, he fulljoyed de ting so much that he will be coming back again and again

Friday 20th features Patrick Roots of CIUT 89.5FM, with his show Reggae Riddims.  Patrick will be on air, volunteering his time to play reggae music, for over 30 years to date

Each week, each Friday, we will bring legends, up and coming, veteran, rookie DJs at Sovereign Smoke

This is that opportunity for our community to thank this relentless businessman with our collective support.  Come over to Eglinton and Keele and purchase reggae vinyl and bring positive vibez and profitability to de culcha
Picture
0 Comments

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    August 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.