Born Orville Richard Burrell and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Shaggy got his start as an MC in New York City’s burgeoning dancehall scene soon after moving to Brooklyn in his teens. Not long after serving four years in the U.S. Marines (including two tours of duty in the Middle East as part of Operation Desert Storm), he inked his first record deal and quickly scored a global crossover smash with “Oh Carolina.”

As the only diamond-selling dancehall artist in music history, Shaggy, has sold more than 40 million album units to date, in addition to landing eight singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and seven albums on the Billboard 200 (including four in the top 40). He is among the top 3 streamed reggae artists of all time on Spotify (along with Bob Marley & Sean Paul).

Following the album, 44/876 (his collaboration with Sting & winner of Best Reggae Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards), Shaggy’s projects include his twelfth studio album Wah Gwaan?!, a 2019 release that amassed over four million streams during its first week on Spotify alone and spent a chunk of that year in the Top 10 on Apple’s iTunes Reggae chart. That project was followed by the release of Hot Shot 2020, commemorating the 20th anniversary of his diamond-selling album, which included re-recorded, modernized versions of the biggest hits and most beloved fan favorites across Shaggy’s catalog.

That year also saw the massive success of his viral hit, “Banana” with fellow Jamaican artist, Conkarah, garnering over 2 billion streams and spawning 50+ million Tik Tok videos with over 5 billion video views for the #bananadrop challenge!

Shaggy finished out the year with the release of Christmas in the Islands – a quintessential reggae Christmas themed collection that puts a Caribbean twist on traditional Christmas cheer featuring island-infused holiday songs with guest performances from Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Junior Reid, Ne-Yo, Romain Virgo, Ritchie Stephens, Conkarah, Joss Stone & others. The deluxe edition has 4 newly recorded songs including "Amazing Christmas" featuring up-and-coming singer/songwriter/producer, Hannah Brier and a duet with Sting for a reggae version of the classic, “Silent Night.”

At the top of 2021, Shaggy was featured in a Cheetos commercial during Super Bowl LV alongside Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher; the spot was one of the highest-rated ads in Superbowl history.

Shaggy’s next collaboration– “Go Down Deh” with fellow reggae icon Sean Paul and the Queen of Dancehall, Spice - dominated the global reggae charts upon release. The iconic Jamaican trio performed their smash hit on a trio of National television shows including Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series (Interview, Go Down Deh Performance & Medley Performance), Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Wendy Williams Show (Interview & Performance). The track, produced by Shaggy, was followed by Spice’s long-awaited debut album, TEN, which Shaggy co-wrote and executive produced. The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Reggae album.

Last year, Shaggy hosted a weekly radio show, Shaggy’s Yaad, on SiriusXM FLY. The program featured a wide range of contemporary, rare and classic tracks spanning the hip hop, dancehall and reggae genres with insights from Shaggy about the musical history of his Jamaican homeland and its global impact.

Fresh off his Grammy Award nomination for producing and co-writing Spice’s groundbreaking album, Shaggy released a new single, “Mi Nuh Know.” The track interpolates “Wah-Do-Dem,” the infectious tune by fellow Jamaican “singjay” artist, Eek-A-Mouse and is available on all digital platforms with the correlating music video, directed by Jay Will, also out now.                        

Following his reveal as Space Bunny on Fox’s The Masked Singer, Shaggy released a new, modern version of “Jump in the Line” (Listen HERE). Hailed “The most entertaining contestant on Season 7,” by MSN, “Space Bunny delivered an out-of-this-world performance in his first appearance on the April 20 episode with a cover of the Harry Belafonte classic, “Jump in the Line. And he followed up on April 27 with a silky-smooth cover of “All Night Long (All Night)” by Lionel Richie.”

Earlier this year, Shaggy was honored by the Third Street Music School Settlement – the nation’s longest running community music school – with the “Distinguished Artist” award. And, on May 28, he received an honorary degree from Brown University and delivered the honorary degree oration at their Undergraduate Class of 2020 Commencement Ceremony.

Following the Grammy Award for their collaborative album, 44/876, Sting and Shaggy, both managed by Martin/Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, have joined forces again for Com Fly Wid Mi. The album, produced by 17-time Grammy Award winner Sting, features Shaggy singing the Sinatra songbook in a reggae style and just received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. The music video for the first single, “That’s Life,” directed by Jay Will (Sean Paul, Major Lazer, Lee Scratch Perry), offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the iconic pair while making the album. To celebrate the album’s release, Shaggy performed the album in full at a limited access, one night only concert at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. A music video for “Luck Be a Lady” – another track off the album - was captured during this special performance.

The album, Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection has been certified gold in the UK.

Not only a multi-award-winning songwriter and hitmaker, Shaggy has also long used his platform to strengthen his community and homeland. In 2009, he established the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation and organized the first of many, Shaggy & Friends benefit concerts, which to date have raised millions for the Bustamante Children’s Hospital (the Caribbean’s only English-speaking children’s hospital, located in Kingston).

“I always try to bring the fun when I’m performing, and keep everything very lighthearted and joyous,” says Shaggy. “I think my purpose and my job is to bring joy to as many people as I can, and I want that to resonate within all of the music that I create.”

— Shaggy

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Common Kings are more than a band of musicians, they are a family, a lifestyle, a community, a brother and sisterhood, having grown up together in California’s Orange County, four college mates who first met at a backyard barbeque 20-some years ago.  Music was the common bond for these Pacific Islanders (all but one first-generation Americans) who have together transcended their Polynesian reggae roots to achieve pop crossover success since releasing their first music in 2011 – Samoan-born Hawaiian lead singer Sasualei “Jr. King” Maliga and Hawaii-raised Samoan guitarist Taumata “Mata” Grey; Fiji-born bassist Ivan “Uncle Lui” Kirimaua, and L.A.-born Tongan drummer Jerome “Big Rome” Taito. The band has toured with Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Meghan Trainor, Fifth Harmony and CeeLo as well as headlining their own shows and music festivals around the country and world.

Common Kings have been releasing music on their own Island Empire/Mensch House Records label for more than a decade, with their one and (until now only) full-length debut, 2017’s Lost in Paradise, nominated for a Grammy as Best Reggae Album, won that year by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. The long-awaited follow-up, aptly named CELEBRATION, follows a series of five songwriting camps around the country (Miami, Hawaii, Orange County, Nashville, L.A.), winnowing down 120 songs to 12 over the course of almost two years during and after the pandemic. From JR’s funky James Brown vocal moves on the dancehall/hip-hop/reggae beat of the opening “Do My Thing” (featuring Royal Blu) – “We wanted to capture the listeners right away,” insists the vocalist -- through the vintage ska horns on “Raggamuffin” (with fellow 2017 Best Reggae Album nominee J. Boog making a cameo) -- Common Kings’ island rhythms are as seductive as a lazy ocean breeze, with a narrative that is an All-American story with a tropical twist.

“We’ve got two albums’ worth of material, 24 songs in all, finished,” explains guitarist Mata about CELEBRATION, the first of two planned releases, explaining the decision to record in so many locations “was to explore different atmospheres and absorb diverse creative energies.”

“It’s a celebration of doing things our way,” adds Ivan “Uncle Lui,” whose backyard was where the band first met. “We’ve made a lot of things happen in an unconventional, unorthodox way.  It’s a celebration of where we are today.  We’re able to live in so many different musical worlds.”

The title track says it all, about taking that “one shot,” while the infectious “Came Up” (featuring Kabaka Pyramid and SpreadLof) is an autobiographical, hip-hop flavored joint that tells the band’s story (“We came up from Hawaii to the streets of L.A./To Miami where the Kings like to play... From the bottom to the top”).

Said Mata, “That song just came to us in Miami. It’s all about doubling down and betting on ourselves. We put in so much work, we created this lane that never existed. It’s not reggae, it’s not rock, it’s not R&B... It’s just feel-good music.”

Jr.’s keening falsetto characterizes the yearning “Stay with Me,” which offers to fly his lover “to the moon, Saturn and Venus,” while “Wild Out” (featuring Big Body Cisco) is a full-on, let’s get down and dirty party anthem (“If you wanna/You can take it back to my house”).

“That song always catches me off-guard,” says Uncle Liu. “I always think it’s someone else playing. It totally fits the theme of celebration. You can’t help but smile listening to it.”

“City of Champions,” an ode to the group’s adopted hometown of Los Angeles, was a product of a Miami session with Justin Bieber producer Poo Bear as it namechecks “red skies over Melrose and traffic lights on Sunset.”

“Poo Bear is a good friend of ours, just an amazing singer/songwriter/producer,” explains Mata. “We were just looking for something that represents who we are, where we come from. It shows the love we have for Southern California, a Common Kings signature vibe that’s all our own.”

The album ends with the glorious one-two punch of the old-school dancehall toasting of “Queen Majesty” (featuring longtime labelmate Sammy Johnson), probably best heard on one of those booming local Jamaican sound systems and the silky-smooth R&B soul of “Just One of Those Days” (featuring Demarco).

With musical influences that include Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Jim Croce, Michael Jackson, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Gypsy Kings, Earth Wind and Fire, Bob Marley, Common Kings’ approach brings diverse people together for a good time. There’s also a strong connection with the post-punk ska scene that includes the likes of Sublime, Slightly Stoopid and OGs No Doubt.

It is Jr. King’s vocal range that truly distinguishes Common Kings. “He’s a master impersonator,” says Mata. “He can sing like anyone from Luther Vandross and Prince to Axl Rose and Mick Jagger.”

“We draw from many different kinds of music,” acknowledges Big Rome. “Growing up, I loved the rock-reggae feel.  When I was in high school, I used to love 311, the way they fused the two.”

“We all have diverse musical backgrounds, and bring different elements,” says Ivan aka Uncle Liu, “Which we then fuse together, because Jr. can sing just about anything and everything. Our music has an edge, but with a smooth polished overtone.”

“Our take on reggae is more feel-good, fun and loving, relaxed in that Hawaiian way,” says Jr. “We’re not a political band.”

CELEBRATION is just that for Common Kings...a way to toast more than a decade of musical excellence and have a real good time doing it.

Concludes Jr., “It’s a culmination of our careers, jamming 20 years, raising families, living life and making music, all of it coming together and being able to share that with the world.”

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in their 25-plus years as a duo, Atmosphere’s rapper Slug and producer Ant have built a legacy that is embedded in the fabric of underground hip-hop. Rising in the ranks of Minneapolis, their debut album, Overcast! was released in 1997. Presented as a flurry of vignettes, and paired with an unending touring schedule, the album was a springboard from which the group was able to become a fixture in the midwest music scene. It wasn’t long before their songwriting evolved from telling inventive third-person tales to delivering introspective first-person eviscerations, and by the early 2000’s Slug would jokingly birth the phrase “emo rap” in an interview before publications began running with the genre tag to describe them and others.In the decades since their debut, Atmosphere has maintained a course of rigorous output, releasing over two dozen studio albums, EP's and collaborative side projects in as many years. The venerated duo have built a legacy out of bringing honesty, humility and vulnerability to the forefront of their music. Slug has proven masterful at storytelling and writing compelling narratives, leaving a trail of his own influence while paying homage to the rappers and songwriters that helped shape him. Meanwhile, Ant has skillfully molded the soundtracks with inspiration from soul, funk, rock, reggae, and the wizardry of hip-hop’s pioneering DJ's and producers, creating his own trademark sounds and providing the pulse for songs about life, love, stress and setbacks. At its essence, Atmosphere has been a musical shepherd, guiding generations of listeners through this thing called life.Their newest album, 2023’s So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, captures perhaps some of Atmosphere’s most personal work to date. The odyssey opens with a gentler approach than recent works, with the lead-off track “Okay” seemingly focused on comforting and reassuring the listener. As Slug raps over one of the most twinkling productions Ant has ever released, the song lays the groundwork for an album-length exercise in fumbling consciousness. Yet, as gently as the album begins, there’s an unmistakable sense of unease from the outset that continues to evolve throughout the project, as Slug and Ant weave the listener through indistinct themes of insomnia and woe.From the subtle panic at the heart of songs like “Dotted Lines” to the overt anxiety of songs like “In My Head,” the unease across tracks is unmistakable. Yet, as the tears might begin to well, they find resolve again through songs like “Still Life,” whose hopeful outlook undercuts the tensity of the album. All the while, the rhythms on So Many Other Realities are some of the most inventive of Atmosphere’s career. Ant’s playful percussion on “In My Head” acts as a nice counterweight to the roiling writing, while the drum patterns on “Holding My Breath” and “Bigger Pictures” allow Slug to play with his flow to emphasize the anxiety driving the record.Where previous records in this most recent act of Atmosphere’s career have been focused on emphasizing the parts of life that carry the most meaning—family, brotherhood, purpose—So Many Other Realities is an almost unnerving excavation of paranoia inspired by the general malaise of a pandemic weary society full of civil unrest. The tension in these songs is palpable, but the album’s mere presence is a testament to the hope that has to underpin even the most stressed out epiphanies.The greatest risk Atmosphere has continued to take across their career is that of being vulnerable and unafraid. The world has inconceivably changed since Slug and Ant entered into the underground hip-hop scene, but despite the seismic shifts in music and culture, they’ve held strong to a foundation rooted in sly innovation and truth. The duo’s relentless release & touring schedules only tell a piece of the story, but spending time with their records—whether you’re a new fan or a longstanding listener—reveals a pair of friends who love to create and live for unabashed self-expression. Their bare reflections on life and the mundane traumas and joys that make living worthwhile are a gift, and that is Atmosphere’s legacy in and of itself. If the music stopped tomorrow, the duo would go down as two quiet titans who changed the course of everyman rap forever.

From backyard BBQs in Southern California beach towns to its rise as one of the most popular reggae rock bands in the country, Fortunate Youth remains devoted to its roots and a simple mission: Spread peace, love, and unity with music.  It’s a mantra of sorts for the multi-faceted sextet from Hermosa Beach, driving a relentless thirst for live performances and an ever-evolving cache of original material dotted with influences of blues, ska, rock, world, soul, and punk.

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Dedicated to performing live, the ensemble has logged countless miles across the globe, with F.Y. supporting brethren such as Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, and SOJA.

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Arise Roots was formed in 2010 with the intent to create a new and unique roots-reggae band which reflects their collective passions. Rising up from the streets of Los Angeles, the band had one goal: create a fresh reggae sound with a modern feel that appeals to all walks of life without compromising the true feel of roots reggae.

The all-star cast of musicians was recruited for their talent and appreciation of classic reggae styles. After a vigorous search, Arise Roots became host to six extremely talented individuals who had already made a name for themselves performing in numerous local reggae bands as well as backing various reggae legends touring through Southern California with veteran Hashim "Scorpion" Russell holding steady on drums, Rudy Covarrubias towering on bass, and Todd Johnson adding his trademark mix of keys and harmonies, the band had secured a dynamic rhythm section. Chris Brennan was called upon for his impeccable rhythm guitar and soulful backing vocals while lead guitarist Robert Sotelo adds his unmistakable signature style of riffs and licks. Lead vocalist, Karim Israel coming from a lineage of Jamaican vocalists, was added to the group, providing his raw, sultry flow which pairs perfectly with his powerful lyrics.

In 2010, the band released their first EP titled, “Lay Your Guns Down.” They later received recognition with the 2013 release of their first full-length album, “Moving Forward.” In 2014 Arise Roots linked with E.N Young at Imperial Sound Recording Studio to record “Love and War.” In 2016 the popular single “Rootsman Town” featuring Capleton was released independently with a music video that garnered millions of views on YouTube and continues to be one of their more popular songs.  In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, Arise Roots released their highly anticipated LP “Pathways” in June of 2020 on Ineffable Records.  Touching on everything from social issues to love songs and cementing their place in the reggae scene with their hit single “Come and Get It,” the album was a huge success for the band. The highly praised album features some of the biggest names in reggae such as Kyle McDonald of Slightly Stoopid, Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, Lutan Fyah, Nattali Rize and Turbulence.

Throughout their time together, Arise Roots has shared the stage with artists such as Barrington Levy, Steel Pulse, Capleton, Sister Carol, Gramps Morgan, Don Carlos, The Wailers, Luciano, Matisyahu, Midnite, Michael Rose, Gondwana, Cultura Profetica, Big Youth, The Aggrolites, Tristan Palmer, Sammy Dread, Stephen Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Ken Boothe, Carlton and The Shoes, Freddie McGregor, The Meditations, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Fortunate Youth, Hirie, Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds, Iration and many more. Likewise they have also shared stages with hip-hop legends such as KRS One, Public Enemy, Redman and Method Man of the Wu Tang Clan.

As today’s reggae music scene has branched out into multiple sub-genres, Southern California’s Arise Roots has helped keep the ever evolving sound of reggae music grounded with their fresh take on roots music. The true essence of their music is caught in their live performances, so make sure to keep an eye out for Arise Roots coming to a city near you.

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From the gritty underground, a band of brothers, known as 'Kanaka Fyah,' emerges with a rugged upbringing, crafting an authentic sound that mirrors the untamed essence of their brotherhood, inviting you to experience the raw passion as they blaze their musical trail.

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Born Orville Richard Burrell and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Shaggy got his start as an MC in New York City’s burgeoning dancehall scene soon after moving to Brooklyn in his teens. Not long after serving four years in the U.S. Marines (including two tours of duty in the Middle East as part of Operation Desert Storm), he inked his first record deal and quickly scored a global crossover smash with “Oh Carolina.”

As the only diamond-selling dancehall artist in music history, Shaggy, has sold more than 40 million album units to date, in addition to landing eight singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and seven albums on the Billboard 200 (including four in the top 40). He is among the top 3 streamed reggae artists of all time on Spotify (along with Bob Marley & Sean Paul).

Following the album, 44/876 (his collaboration with Sting & winner of Best Reggae Album at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards), Shaggy’s projects include his twelfth studio album Wah Gwaan?!, a 2019 release that amassed over four million streams during its first week on Spotify alone and spent a chunk of that year in the Top 10 on Apple’s iTunes Reggae chart. That project was followed by the release of Hot Shot 2020, commemorating the 20th anniversary of his diamond-selling album, which included re-recorded, modernized versions of the biggest hits and most beloved fan favorites across Shaggy’s catalog.

That year also saw the massive success of his viral hit, “Banana” with fellow Jamaican artist, Conkarah, garnering over 2 billion streams and spawning 50+ million Tik Tok videos with over 5 billion video views for the #bananadrop challenge!

Shaggy finished out the year with the release of Christmas in the Islands – a quintessential reggae Christmas themed collection that puts a Caribbean twist on traditional Christmas cheer featuring island-infused holiday songs with guest performances from Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Junior Reid, Ne-Yo, Romain Virgo, Ritchie Stephens, Conkarah, Joss Stone & others. The deluxe edition has 4 newly recorded songs including "Amazing Christmas" featuring up-and-coming singer/songwriter/producer, Hannah Brier and a duet with Sting for a reggae version of the classic, “Silent Night.”

At the top of 2021, Shaggy was featured in a Cheetos commercial during Super Bowl LV alongside Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher; the spot was one of the highest-rated ads in Superbowl history.

Shaggy’s next collaboration– “Go Down Deh” with fellow reggae icon Sean Paul and the Queen of Dancehall, Spice - dominated the global reggae charts upon release. The iconic Jamaican trio performed their smash hit on a trio of National television shows including Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series (Interview, Go Down Deh Performance & Medley Performance), Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Wendy Williams Show (Interview & Performance). The track, produced by Shaggy, was followed by Spice’s long-awaited debut album, TEN, which Shaggy co-wrote and executive produced. The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Reggae album.

Last year, Shaggy hosted a weekly radio show, Shaggy’s Yaad, on SiriusXM FLY. The program featured a wide range of contemporary, rare and classic tracks spanning the hip hop, dancehall and reggae genres with insights from Shaggy about the musical history of his Jamaican homeland and its global impact.

Fresh off his Grammy Award nomination for producing and co-writing Spice’s groundbreaking album, Shaggy released a new single, “Mi Nuh Know.” The track interpolates “Wah-Do-Dem,” the infectious tune by fellow Jamaican “singjay” artist, Eek-A-Mouse and is available on all digital platforms with the correlating music video, directed by Jay Will, also out now.                        

Following his reveal as Space Bunny on Fox’s The Masked Singer, Shaggy released a new, modern version of “Jump in the Line” (Listen HERE). Hailed “The most entertaining contestant on Season 7,” by MSN, “Space Bunny delivered an out-of-this-world performance in his first appearance on the April 20 episode with a cover of the Harry Belafonte classic, “Jump in the Line. And he followed up on April 27 with a silky-smooth cover of “All Night Long (All Night)” by Lionel Richie.”

Earlier this year, Shaggy was honored by the Third Street Music School Settlement – the nation’s longest running community music school – with the “Distinguished Artist” award. And, on May 28, he received an honorary degree from Brown University and delivered the honorary degree oration at their Undergraduate Class of 2020 Commencement Ceremony.

Following the Grammy Award for their collaborative album, 44/876, Sting and Shaggy, both managed by Martin/Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, have joined forces again for Com Fly Wid Mi. The album, produced by 17-time Grammy Award winner Sting, features Shaggy singing the Sinatra songbook in a reggae style and just received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. The music video for the first single, “That’s Life,” directed by Jay Will (Sean Paul, Major Lazer, Lee Scratch Perry), offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the iconic pair while making the album. To celebrate the album’s release, Shaggy performed the album in full at a limited access, one night only concert at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. A music video for “Luck Be a Lady” – another track off the album - was captured during this special performance.

The album, Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection has been certified gold in the UK.

Not only a multi-award-winning songwriter and hitmaker, Shaggy has also long used his platform to strengthen his community and homeland. In 2009, he established the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation and organized the first of many, Shaggy & Friends benefit concerts, which to date have raised millions for the Bustamante Children’s Hospital (the Caribbean’s only English-speaking children’s hospital, located in Kingston).

“I always try to bring the fun when I’m performing, and keep everything very lighthearted and joyous,” says Shaggy. “I think my purpose and my job is to bring joy to as many people as I can, and I want that to resonate within all of the music that I create.”

— Shaggy

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Common Kings are more than a band of musicians, they are a family, a lifestyle, a community, a brother and sisterhood, having grown up together in California’s Orange County, four college mates who first met at a backyard barbeque 20-some years ago.  Music was the common bond for these Pacific Islanders (all but one first-generation Americans) who have together transcended their Polynesian reggae roots to achieve pop crossover success since releasing their first music in 2011 – Samoan-born Hawaiian lead singer Sasualei “Jr. King” Maliga and Hawaii-raised Samoan guitarist Taumata “Mata” Grey; Fiji-born bassist Ivan “Uncle Lui” Kirimaua, and L.A.-born Tongan drummer Jerome “Big Rome” Taito. The band has toured with Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Meghan Trainor, Fifth Harmony and CeeLo as well as headlining their own shows and music festivals around the country and world.

Common Kings have been releasing music on their own Island Empire/Mensch House Records label for more than a decade, with their one and (until now only) full-length debut, 2017’s Lost in Paradise, nominated for a Grammy as Best Reggae Album, won that year by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. The long-awaited follow-up, aptly named CELEBRATION, follows a series of five songwriting camps around the country (Miami, Hawaii, Orange County, Nashville, L.A.), winnowing down 120 songs to 12 over the course of almost two years during and after the pandemic. From JR’s funky James Brown vocal moves on the dancehall/hip-hop/reggae beat of the opening “Do My Thing” (featuring Royal Blu) – “We wanted to capture the listeners right away,” insists the vocalist -- through the vintage ska horns on “Raggamuffin” (with fellow 2017 Best Reggae Album nominee J. Boog making a cameo) -- Common Kings’ island rhythms are as seductive as a lazy ocean breeze, with a narrative that is an All-American story with a tropical twist.

“We’ve got two albums’ worth of material, 24 songs in all, finished,” explains guitarist Mata about CELEBRATION, the first of two planned releases, explaining the decision to record in so many locations “was to explore different atmospheres and absorb diverse creative energies.”

“It’s a celebration of doing things our way,” adds Ivan “Uncle Lui,” whose backyard was where the band first met. “We’ve made a lot of things happen in an unconventional, unorthodox way.  It’s a celebration of where we are today.  We’re able to live in so many different musical worlds.”

The title track says it all, about taking that “one shot,” while the infectious “Came Up” (featuring Kabaka Pyramid and SpreadLof) is an autobiographical, hip-hop flavored joint that tells the band’s story (“We came up from Hawaii to the streets of L.A./To Miami where the Kings like to play... From the bottom to the top”).

Said Mata, “That song just came to us in Miami. It’s all about doubling down and betting on ourselves. We put in so much work, we created this lane that never existed. It’s not reggae, it’s not rock, it’s not R&B... It’s just feel-good music.”

Jr.’s keening falsetto characterizes the yearning “Stay with Me,” which offers to fly his lover “to the moon, Saturn and Venus,” while “Wild Out” (featuring Big Body Cisco) is a full-on, let’s get down and dirty party anthem (“If you wanna/You can take it back to my house”).

“That song always catches me off-guard,” says Uncle Liu. “I always think it’s someone else playing. It totally fits the theme of celebration. You can’t help but smile listening to it.”

“City of Champions,” an ode to the group’s adopted hometown of Los Angeles, was a product of a Miami session with Justin Bieber producer Poo Bear as it namechecks “red skies over Melrose and traffic lights on Sunset.”

“Poo Bear is a good friend of ours, just an amazing singer/songwriter/producer,” explains Mata. “We were just looking for something that represents who we are, where we come from. It shows the love we have for Southern California, a Common Kings signature vibe that’s all our own.”

The album ends with the glorious one-two punch of the old-school dancehall toasting of “Queen Majesty” (featuring longtime labelmate Sammy Johnson), probably best heard on one of those booming local Jamaican sound systems and the silky-smooth R&B soul of “Just One of Those Days” (featuring Demarco).

With musical influences that include Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Jim Croce, Michael Jackson, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Gypsy Kings, Earth Wind and Fire, Bob Marley, Common Kings’ approach brings diverse people together for a good time. There’s also a strong connection with the post-punk ska scene that includes the likes of Sublime, Slightly Stoopid and OGs No Doubt.

It is Jr. King’s vocal range that truly distinguishes Common Kings. “He’s a master impersonator,” says Mata. “He can sing like anyone from Luther Vandross and Prince to Axl Rose and Mick Jagger.”

“We draw from many different kinds of music,” acknowledges Big Rome. “Growing up, I loved the rock-reggae feel.  When I was in high school, I used to love 311, the way they fused the two.”

“We all have diverse musical backgrounds, and bring different elements,” says Ivan aka Uncle Liu, “Which we then fuse together, because Jr. can sing just about anything and everything. Our music has an edge, but with a smooth polished overtone.”

“Our take on reggae is more feel-good, fun and loving, relaxed in that Hawaiian way,” says Jr. “We’re not a political band.”

CELEBRATION is just that for Common Kings...a way to toast more than a decade of musical excellence and have a real good time doing it.

Concludes Jr., “It’s a culmination of our careers, jamming 20 years, raising families, living life and making music, all of it coming together and being able to share that with the world.”

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in their 25-plus years as a duo, Atmosphere’s rapper Slug and producer Ant have built a legacy that is embedded in the fabric of underground hip-hop. Rising in the ranks of Minneapolis, their debut album, Overcast! was released in 1997. Presented as a flurry of vignettes, and paired with an unending touring schedule, the album was a springboard from which the group was able to become a fixture in the midwest music scene. It wasn’t long before their songwriting evolved from telling inventive third-person tales to delivering introspective first-person eviscerations, and by the early 2000’s Slug would jokingly birth the phrase “emo rap” in an interview before publications began running with the genre tag to describe them and others.In the decades since their debut, Atmosphere has maintained a course of rigorous output, releasing over two dozen studio albums, EP's and collaborative side projects in as many years. The venerated duo have built a legacy out of bringing honesty, humility and vulnerability to the forefront of their music. Slug has proven masterful at storytelling and writing compelling narratives, leaving a trail of his own influence while paying homage to the rappers and songwriters that helped shape him. Meanwhile, Ant has skillfully molded the soundtracks with inspiration from soul, funk, rock, reggae, and the wizardry of hip-hop’s pioneering DJ's and producers, creating his own trademark sounds and providing the pulse for songs about life, love, stress and setbacks. At its essence, Atmosphere has been a musical shepherd, guiding generations of listeners through this thing called life.Their newest album, 2023’s So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously, captures perhaps some of Atmosphere’s most personal work to date. The odyssey opens with a gentler approach than recent works, with the lead-off track “Okay” seemingly focused on comforting and reassuring the listener. As Slug raps over one of the most twinkling productions Ant has ever released, the song lays the groundwork for an album-length exercise in fumbling consciousness. Yet, as gently as the album begins, there’s an unmistakable sense of unease from the outset that continues to evolve throughout the project, as Slug and Ant weave the listener through indistinct themes of insomnia and woe.From the subtle panic at the heart of songs like “Dotted Lines” to the overt anxiety of songs like “In My Head,” the unease across tracks is unmistakable. Yet, as the tears might begin to well, they find resolve again through songs like “Still Life,” whose hopeful outlook undercuts the tensity of the album. All the while, the rhythms on So Many Other Realities are some of the most inventive of Atmosphere’s career. Ant’s playful percussion on “In My Head” acts as a nice counterweight to the roiling writing, while the drum patterns on “Holding My Breath” and “Bigger Pictures” allow Slug to play with his flow to emphasize the anxiety driving the record.Where previous records in this most recent act of Atmosphere’s career have been focused on emphasizing the parts of life that carry the most meaning—family, brotherhood, purpose—So Many Other Realities is an almost unnerving excavation of paranoia inspired by the general malaise of a pandemic weary society full of civil unrest. The tension in these songs is palpable, but the album’s mere presence is a testament to the hope that has to underpin even the most stressed out epiphanies.The greatest risk Atmosphere has continued to take across their career is that of being vulnerable and unafraid. The world has inconceivably changed since Slug and Ant entered into the underground hip-hop scene, but despite the seismic shifts in music and culture, they’ve held strong to a foundation rooted in sly innovation and truth. The duo’s relentless release & touring schedules only tell a piece of the story, but spending time with their records—whether you’re a new fan or a longstanding listener—reveals a pair of friends who love to create and live for unabashed self-expression. Their bare reflections on life and the mundane traumas and joys that make living worthwhile are a gift, and that is Atmosphere’s legacy in and of itself. If the music stopped tomorrow, the duo would go down as two quiet titans who changed the course of everyman rap forever.

From backyard BBQs in Southern California beach towns to its rise as one of the most popular reggae rock bands in the country, Fortunate Youth remains devoted to its roots and a simple mission: Spread peace, love, and unity with music.  It’s a mantra of sorts for the multi-faceted sextet from Hermosa Beach, driving a relentless thirst for live performances and an ever-evolving cache of original material dotted with influences of blues, ska, rock, world, soul, and punk.

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Dedicated to performing live, the ensemble has logged countless miles across the globe, with F.Y. supporting brethren such as Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, and SOJA.

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Arise Roots was formed in 2010 with the intent to create a new and unique roots-reggae band which reflects their collective passions. Rising up from the streets of Los Angeles, the band had one goal: create a fresh reggae sound with a modern feel that appeals to all walks of life without compromising the true feel of roots reggae.

The all-star cast of musicians was recruited for their talent and appreciation of classic reggae styles. After a vigorous search, Arise Roots became host to six extremely talented individuals who had already made a name for themselves performing in numerous local reggae bands as well as backing various reggae legends touring through Southern California with veteran Hashim "Scorpion" Russell holding steady on drums, Rudy Covarrubias towering on bass, and Todd Johnson adding his trademark mix of keys and harmonies, the band had secured a dynamic rhythm section. Chris Brennan was called upon for his impeccable rhythm guitar and soulful backing vocals while lead guitarist Robert Sotelo adds his unmistakable signature style of riffs and licks. Lead vocalist, Karim Israel coming from a lineage of Jamaican vocalists, was added to the group, providing his raw, sultry flow which pairs perfectly with his powerful lyrics.

In 2010, the band released their first EP titled, “Lay Your Guns Down.” They later received recognition with the 2013 release of their first full-length album, “Moving Forward.” In 2014 Arise Roots linked with E.N Young at Imperial Sound Recording Studio to record “Love and War.” In 2016 the popular single “Rootsman Town” featuring Capleton was released independently with a music video that garnered millions of views on YouTube and continues to be one of their more popular songs.  In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, Arise Roots released their highly anticipated LP “Pathways” in June of 2020 on Ineffable Records.  Touching on everything from social issues to love songs and cementing their place in the reggae scene with their hit single “Come and Get It,” the album was a huge success for the band. The highly praised album features some of the biggest names in reggae such as Kyle McDonald of Slightly Stoopid, Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, Lutan Fyah, Nattali Rize and Turbulence.

Throughout their time together, Arise Roots has shared the stage with artists such as Barrington Levy, Steel Pulse, Capleton, Sister Carol, Gramps Morgan, Don Carlos, The Wailers, Luciano, Matisyahu, Midnite, Michael Rose, Gondwana, Cultura Profetica, Big Youth, The Aggrolites, Tristan Palmer, Sammy Dread, Stephen Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, Ken Boothe, Carlton and The Shoes, Freddie McGregor, The Meditations, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Fortunate Youth, Hirie, Dirty Heads, Tribal Seeds, Iration and many more. Likewise they have also shared stages with hip-hop legends such as KRS One, Public Enemy, Redman and Method Man of the Wu Tang Clan.

As today’s reggae music scene has branched out into multiple sub-genres, Southern California’s Arise Roots has helped keep the ever evolving sound of reggae music grounded with their fresh take on roots music. The true essence of their music is caught in their live performances, so make sure to keep an eye out for Arise Roots coming to a city near you.

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From the gritty underground, a band of brothers, known as 'Kanaka Fyah,' emerges with a rugged upbringing, crafting an authentic sound that mirrors the untamed essence of their brotherhood, inviting you to experience the raw passion as they blaze their musical trail.

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