ISSUE #4 APR 2014 T R A X ROOTS / ROCK / REGGAE / RESPECT featuring JAH9 RAGING FYAH HEMPRESS SATIVA PENTATEUCH MUSIC KELISSA FOR THE REBELS KAZAM SHUGA MICAH SHEMAIAH bonus TRAX MIRIAM SIMONE RASS MOTIVATED PROF-I ALIKA Pledge Allegiance NESBETH IRIEMAG.COM ISSUE #4 / APRIL 2014 “Dere is no truth but de one truth, an’ that is the truth of Jah Rastafari.” - Bob Marley Nicholas “Nico” Da Silva Founder/Publisher IRIEMAG.COM WILLIAM “BUNNY RUGS” CLARKE FEBRUARY 6, 1948 FEBRUARY 2, 2014 REST IN PEACE, DEAR BROTHER! © Bart Henseler Photography Jah9 Raging Fyah Hempress Sativa Pentateuch JAMAICA JAMAICA JAMAICA JAMAICA Kelissa Kazam Shuga Micah Shemaiah JAMAICA JAMAICA JAMAICA JAMAICA Miriam Simone Rass Motivated Alika Nesbeth SURINAME HOLLAND ARGENTINA JAMAICA JAH9 FEATURED TRACK Jamaica STEAMERS A BUBBLE Biography Old school blues improvisation, meets hard hitting lyrical prowess, in a rich imaginative blend of vocal clarity and complexity. She sings with a voice that belies the dimensions of her physical body, from a soul much older than its current vessel. Her philosophy is profoundly spiritual, and her style is Jazz on Dub. Her style is Jazz on Dub. She is Janine ‘Jah9’ Cunningham, the third and final addition to the ministry of Reverend and Mrs. Cunningham. Her mission and music are inspired by a resolute reverence, and a determination to inspire and uplift mind and soul. She spent her childhood in Trelawny, a WEBSITE rural parish on Jamaica’s west coast, rooted in jah9.net traditional values and a rich cultural heritage. Upon moving with the family to the dog eat dog world of Kingston city life, the innocent writing IRIEMAG.COM of a curious youngster transformed into the and King Tubby. The resulting signature sound indignant battle cries of a defiant revolutionary. has led to collaborations with platinum selling producer Donovan Bennett of Don Corleon Growing up, Jah9 was taught, by example, Records, Sheldon Bernard, and living legend about Christ as a consciousness, more so than Beres Hammond of Harmony House Music. a fearsome man on high who would one day FOLLOW render judgment. Then in University, she Jah9’s debut album - New Name - is her labour Jah9 not only began her love affair with the heavy of love, a declaration of truth and her testimony basslines and steady drum beats of Dub of the journey toward self-actualization. The and Roots music, but also with the teachings product of a great synergy with renowned of His Majesty. Her evolution was gradual Producer and now faithful friend, Rory ‘Stone but intensified consistently, resulting in the Love’ Gilligan, New Name is proof that another inevitable surrender of financial security and servant of truth & light has discovered and a “prized” place among Jamaica’s corporate accepted her mission. community to the guiding principle of her Featured Single calling, toward the Kingdom. Now, as a woman, Jah 9, Steamers A Bubble, is produced by instead of the slaughtered Lamb, the preacher’s Franklyn ‘Ben Up’ Irving. The riddim originally daughter hails the Conquering Lion, the Christ called ‘Apartment’ was laid in 1982 at The with a new name, Haile Selassie I. Channel One Recording Studio by the original Roots Radics Band. Jah9 has refined her craft over decades of singing on every choir available to her. She has also been a staple on Jamaica’s underground poetry and live music scenes. Her vocals resonate with a blend of textures – the emotion Steamers A Bubble of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, with the 2013 sharp cutting edge of Sizzla Kalonji, on top of heavy Dub rhythms akin to Augustus Pablo IRIEMAG.COM Jamaica RAGING FYAH IRIEMAG.COM FEATURED TRACK and gained popularity and presence locally and internationally, with a few of the songs - such as JUDGEMENT DAY the title track ‘Judgement Day’ and hit single ‘Far Away’ - receiving rotation on the air waves and Biography even found their way onto a few charts. FOLLOW Raging Fyah Raging Fyah is an authentic, soul-filled, roots With conscious roots reggae on the rise, the rock reggae band, with a fresh contemporary “Fyah” continued to spread into 2012, and there flare, that will literally set your soul on fire! was a heavy demand for the band’s thrilling live That’s what makes Raging Fyah one of hottest performances at various shows. Their talent spreading, most captivating and powerful and versatility enables them to aptly adjust Featured Single entertainment packages in a long awaited the intensity of their flame. So whether at an Jamaican Reggae Renaissance! The ‘Fyah’ intimate acoustics set or a large stage shows was ignited in 2006 by Anthony Watson such as Rebel Salute and Jamaica Jazz and Blues (drummer), Demar Gayle (keyboardist) and Festival, they steadily captured the hearts of the Delroy Hamilton (bassist); then they were later Jamaican listeners. In that same year the band joined by Courtland White (guitarist) and Kumar hit the road to perform on the international Bent (lead singer) as they set out to rekindle a stages of South America as well as to headline flame of positivity in the music industry. several major reggae festivals in Europe such as Summerjam, Rototom Sunsplash and Garance. Judgement Day Fueled by passion, purpose and life experiences, Since then the band has been doing shows 2011 their lyrics touch the soul of the listener, uplifting locally and returned for another tour in in and motivating people from all socio-economic Europe in Spring of 2013. They have also WEBSITE and cultural backgrounds. Whether the message released three new singles ‘Dread’ , ‘Naah Look ragingfyah.com is love, peace or empowerment, Raging Fyah Back’ and ‘First Love’; they are currently in burns through barriers of time age, race or class studio working on their second album. and has songs for everyone to love. In 2011, they released their debut album, ‘Judgement Day’, IRIEMAG.COM HEMPRESS FEATURED TRACK Jamaica SATIVA KUSHITE LOVE Biography “OH LALALA-THE WEED THING” is Hempress Sativa’s call to legalize and decriminalize marijuana, a social issue that deeply touches her heart and consciousness. Her moral fiber is strongly influenced and deeply rooted in the Rastafarian livity, with marijuana as an important part of the social fabric of Hempress Sativa’s culture. The incarceration of people worldwide has inspired Hempress Saliva’s mission to educate people about the healthy uses of marijuana. With music as her platform to deliver a global message, ‘The Weed Thing’ was recorded. Kerida Johnson known as Hempress Sativa was born to Rastafarian parents Doris-Ray Johnson and legendary Jamaican Selector/ WEBSITE Musician Albert ‘Ilawi Malawi’ Johnson of the http://uthmusicja.com/ hempress-sativa.htm Jah Love Sound System. It was her exposure to music at home that sharpened her skills and has manifested today in her expressive writing and delivery. IRIEMAG.COM Hempress Sativa commands the attention single and video for ‘Ooh La La - The Weed and respect of her audience based on her fiery Thing’ she is in high gears as preparation is performances, with an uncanny ability to keep being made to kick off her West Coast tour all listening as they absorb her every word, in March 2014. every rhyme. An artiste to definitely watch, after electrifying FOLLOW Hempress Sativa, who has been performing performances at Rebel Salute 2013, Reggae Hempress Sativa since the age of 13, with lyrics spiritedly Sumfest 2013, Bob Marley Week celebrations influenced by her Rastafarian culture, as 2013 at Emancipation Park, The Independence conveyed in her song ‘Judgement’ in which she Day Street Dance 2013, Wickie Wackie Live, begins by chanting ‘No More Illusion, Rastafari is Rebel Salute 2014 and Live From Kingston to real’ …. Her music although generally rooted in name a few. traditional reggae rhythms, also at times, crosses genres and may reflect traces of Listen out for her latest single ‘Kushite Love’ Rhythm and Blues, African and even Hip-Hop produced by UTH Music JA. Hempress Sativa Featured Single influences as evident in the Anthem Jah‘ Have is an extraordinary young talent, propelling Mi Back’. Singles such as ‘Get High’ and ‘Children Jamaican music into the future while strongly of the Emperor’ have been creating a buzz remaining rooted in a traditional foundation both locally and internationally, exemplifying that makes her music timeless. her musical agility as a melodic singer and a lyrically skilled Chantress. Hempress Sativa lists her musical favourites as Sade, Sister Carol and Ijahman Levi, to name a few. Dubbed ‘Hempress Sativa: Your Highness’, she Kushite Love intends on premiering her album to be titled 2013 ‘UnconqueRebel Lioness’ which is slated for the first quarter of 2014. With the success of her IRIEMAG.COM PENTATEUCH Jamaica FEATURED TRACK inspiration of every artist who helped lay the foundations of this enduring music PRESSURE with particular reverence to Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley and Burning Spear. Pentateuch Biography singles out these stalwarts not only for FOLLOW their musical contribution but also for their Pentateuch Nestled within the hustle and bustle of uncompromising and relentless commitment Kingston, Jamaica, sits the relative oasis of to empowering the the Edna Manley School for the Visual and voiceless. The band’s Performing Arts, the mecca for many young debut full length effort Jamaican artistes looking to hone their skills “The Genesis” is a in the rich indigenous art forms Jamaica has to testament to that offer. Among this group of eclectic and talented influence. It showcase young people, the refreshing and spiritual band, songs such as “Black- Pentateuch, rises to the top. The Genesis face”, a gritty chant for Featured Single 2013 the appreciation of the Pentateuch (pronounced penta-toosh), is African self and “Kingston”, a lamentation of said to represent the first 5 books of the Jamaica’s capital city demonstrate the band’s bible.