As we continue our journey to Manchester, Musical Road to Womex takes an uptempo detour to the Caribbean, diving into the vibrant reggae rhythms that pulse through the islands. This time, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on one of the most influential voices in contemporary Jamaican music: KabakaPyramid.
Kabaka is a pioneering artist, reshaping the sound of reggae by blending its rich heritage with fresh, innovative elements while staying true to its roots. After a standout performance with Damian Marley at Jamrock, he’s gearing up for a much-anticipated UK and European tour this October, with shows in Birmingham (O2 Institute 2 on 04/10), Falmouth (Falmouth Reggae Festival on 05/10), London (O2 Academy Islington on 06/10), Bristol (Trinity Centre on 10/10), Sheffield (Network on 11/10), and of course, Manchester (Aviva Studios on 24/10).
Hailing from Kingston, Kabaka Pyramid has earned international recognition for merging reggae’s signature rhythms with the lyrical sharpness of hip-hop. His music delivers powerful messages of social justice and spiritual awareness, with his Grammy-winning album The Kalling solidifying his status as a leader in contemporary reggae.
In this Jamaican stop-over, Kabaka shares how his music inspires reflection, driven by his 2002 spiritual awakening through Rastafari. He also expresses excitement for upcoming projects, exploring Manchester’s music scene, and curates a playlist of tracks that inspire his sound.
Could you briefly introduce your music to someone new at Womex and share the key influences and origins of your unique sound?
I’m a lyricist at heart that spreads consciousness with a pallet of reggae fused with hip-hop and dancehall. Hard hitting, edgy, complex rhyme schemes heavy drums and groovy bass lines. Influences range from BobMarley, Peter Tosh, DamianMarley, SuperCat and Sizzla to Wu-Tang, Common, Nas and BlackThought
Could you share a personal anecdote or experience that impacted your musical journey and the evolution of your sound?
In the summer of 2002 me and my friends had a cassette of Sizzla and BujuBanton songs and driving around listening to it everyday literally changed my life. I had a spiritual awakening through Rastafari, and that always drove me to want to do the same for others with my music.
In a world full of diverse musical genres, styles, and traditions, how do you believe your music stands out and brings something fresh and exciting to the audience’s ears?
I think my music is quite thought provoking, it actually makes you think rather than just being a cool backdrop to your day while doing other things. People who value that quality of music can find something special. It also gives you a window into the Jamaican view point, how we see the world and our reality.
As Womex is not only the Worldwide Music Expo but also a lively global music funfair, are there any showcases you’re looking forward to attending and enjoying or artists participating that you would like to meet during those five days?
This edition of Womex will take place in Manchester, a city with a vibrant cultural scene and rich music history. Are you particularly passionate about any act coming from the city and how has the city’s musical heritage influenced your work, if at all?
I’ve always been intrigued by how much of a music city Manchester is when I get to visit, the number of love music spots is quite amazing. I’ll be using this opportunity to get to know more about the history and current artists making waves in the region
Womex is a unique opportunity to share and showcase your music with new people and inform them about your upcoming projects. Could you reveal some of your plans for the future?
Right now I’m preparing for a 5-week Europe and UK tour in October to November in which WOMEX will be a key stop for us. I’m also in studio working on a few projects including producing some songs for other artists I work with. The production side of thing is something I’m looking forward to expanding in the next few years
If you had to draft an invitation card for our readers to join you at Womex and enjoy your showcase, what would you write in it?
Kabaka Pyramid and The Bebble Rockers are bringing that high energy food for your soul, carrying you on a journey through the decades of reggae music’s rich history! You definitely don’t want to miss it!!
