Kamau
Kingston, Saint Andrew, Jamaica | Established. Jan 01, 1993
Music
Press
"Kamau is young, gifted and conscious and has a passionate love for songwriting and a melodious singing voice....Kamau's voice is one from which a lot is expected" - The Jamaica Observer
"Kamau provided a perfect end to the weekend last Sunday night when he performed at the Weekendz Bar and Bistro. Kamau's set was well received and his performance drew shouts of approval from the audience" - The Jamaica Star
"Kamau has been recognized as a solid performer in Jamaica, singing before massive audiences at major Caribbean festivals such as Sumfest and Rebel Salute" - CITYFLIGHT NEWS MAGAZINE (SAN FRANCISCO)
WITH a new moniker and new music Kamau Imhotep (formerly Kamau), the former lead singer for award-winning reggae band Dubtonic Kru, is blazing a new trail with the release of two new singles, Concrete Jungle and Jah Jah Soldier .
The singles are available on iTunes.
After stepping away from his solo career, Kamau Imhotep became a member of Dubtonic Kru from the band’s inception in 2006.
“The experience garnered working with the group over the years has been invaluable and undoubtedly will serve me well going forward,” he said.
Dubtonic Kru had been playing on the local live music circuit since 2006 but came to national prominence when in 2010 they entered the local staging of The Global Battle of the Bands Competition.
After emerging as the local winners, the band then went on to compete with 16 other bands from across the globe for the coveted world title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2011. After a night of fierce competition the band was crowned “Best New Band in the World” for 2010-2011.
The group continued to tour Europe, Africa and The United States extensively up to 2014 when Kamau Imhotep stepped away to re-engage his solo past.
“I’m now much more mature musically and have grown enormously as an individual ready and capable of taking on the road ahead,” he said. - Jamaica Observer
LIKE biblical prophets of old, reggae singer Kamau Imhotep believes the genre is under-appreciated in its homeland.
“In the land of reggae, so much more can be done. Radio stations should ensure about 60 per cent of their music is home-grown. I don’t have anything against other types of music, but as you quint is calypso, EDM or hip hop. We need to support the local industry,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
Former lead singer for Dubtonic Kru, Kamau Imhotep said the current diet of dancehall music is too confrontational and combative.
“If you speak bad, it will manifest itself. Similarly, if you speak good, it will manifest itself too. So I just deh yah fi put forward the positive word. My songs must can play in front of my kids,” he said.
The singer is preparing to release his seven-track EP tentatively titled Second Coming this summer.
According to him, the set will stay true to its roots and boasts originals and covers. Luke Dixon, Glen Browne and RP Music Production are among the production credits.
“It will comprise lover’s rock, roots-reggae, and international reggae songs. The songs are relevant and the music composition is great. We have songs to address some of society’s ills,” he said. “The set will also showcase my versatility and range.”
The track listing will include a cover of Bob Marley’s I Shot The Sheriff, Marcus Garvey, Chase The Devil — a collab with veteran singer Max Romeo, I’ll Be There, Sight A Revolution; Don’t Want You Cry, Concrete Jungle, and Jah Jah Soldier. The latter two were initially released in April.
He said the reception to Concrete Jungle and Jah Jah Soldier was encouraging and prompted the set.
“In the second week of its release, Jah Jah Soldier was placed on iTunes’ A-List playlist. The plan is to get a video out,” said Kamau Imhotep.
The singer highlighted the rapid decline of local reggae festivals, but lauded neo-roots revival artistes, including Chronixx, Jah9, Protoje, as well as bands C Sharp, Raging Fyah, Pentatuch and Dubtonic, for their tireless work at home and further afield.
“We (Jamaicans) are impactful people. When we put our best foot forward, we impact the world,” he said.
A member of Dubtonic Kru since its inception in 2006, Kamau Imhotep (formerly Kamau) recently left the outfit to further his solo career.
In 2010, the band won the local leg of The Global Battle of the Bands competition then went on to take the international title of ‘Best New Band in the World’ in Malaysia, the following year.
“A major part of my development is owed to the 10 years of the Dubtonic experience. I’m at a different stage of my life,” said Kamau Imhotep. - Jamaica Observer
Discography
Serious
Exile
Sight A Revolution
The Children
Sally
Devine Destiny
Rise Up
Great Man
We Want Peace
Psalm 54
I Love Jah
Joy
Don't Want To See You Cry
Photos
Bio
”.
A prolific songwriter and melodious singer aptly describes Kamau whose debut CD "Sight Up" underscores his musical prowess.
Born Horace Morgan, he took unto himself an African identity with the sobriquet Kamau which means "Quiet Warrior". " That name says who I am in every sense of the word, a serious warrior quietly moving through on a mission" the singer pointedly states.
Kamau's musical journey began at an early age while growing up in the gritty East Kingston community of Nannyville Gardens. As the youngest of seven brothers and sisters, it was mandatory for him to attend nightly church services and accompany his mother to choir practice. Consequently this exposure led to the development of a very keen ear for music as week after week he absorbed lessons in the use of pitch, chords and the creation of vocal harmony.' "As I grew older I realized music was as much a part of me as was breathing" quipped the reggae crooner. He also began writing his own material with compositions that started out as poems later evolving into songs.
In 1993 Kamau met veteran bassist and music producer Glen Browne, who introduced him to the business of music and worked with him to hone his skills and develop his musical craft. The two worked well together and their collaboration produced his debut album "Sight Up" released on the Island Treasure Label.in 2003. The record included hits such as "Don't Wanna See You Cry", "Sight A Revolution" and "Psalm 54" among others. With Peter Tosh and Bob Marley as his main sources of inspiration, one of Kamau's first songs "Serious" , attests to the deep seated philosophical worldview expressed in his material. "I think writing for and to the world is my duty, hence when pen meets paper, every strata of society where my music is played should be able to relate" adds the "Sight A Revolution" singer. He has graced the stages of many major local events such as Rebel Salute, Reggae Sumfest and Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.
In 2006 the singer forged a partnership with four other musicians to form the band Dubtonic Kru. As lead vocalist and Percussionist for Dubtonic Kru, Kamau gained tremendous international exposure and experience from touring with the group from 2008 to 2014. He has performed in the US, Africa, Asia and most of the major European Countries, playing at major Reggae Festivals such as Summerjam, Rototom Sunsplash, Garance and Upsalla Reggae Festival. In 2011 the band copped the prestigious award for Best New Band in the World as they competed in and won the annual Global Battle of the Bands Competition in Malaysia.
Having garnered years of experience both locally and internationally, Kamau is now firm in his resolve to create a musical legacy that will endure for generations to come. "Jah has been my guide and inspiration from the get go and now I move to the next phase of my development.
Band Members
Links
