Rippa Jackson

Rippa Jackson, AIRM nominated Independent Artist of the Year is in full command of his craft as a gifted and significant artist in the reggae industry. Born Rohan Thompson in Spanish Town and raised in Portmore, Jamaica, at the age of ten, while singing in church, Rippa realized that his dream was to become a musician.  Immersing himself into the reggae community at such a young age exposed him to the likes of Dan Carlos, Shanty Roy, Michael Buckley, Dignitary Stylish and Junior Express, to name a few.  Exposed to the music that he loves and the harsh reality of life's ups and downs, Rippa Jackson emerged.  Like an artist painting words on a canvas, his music is an expression of that journey through life's unedited reality.

Rippa has been heralded as one of reggae music's fastest rising superstars.  Released on the Hothead Kulcha label, Help Someone, along with Too Much Die has received rave reviews locally and internationally which includes Jamaica's Top 25 Reggae Singles and New York City Reggae.  Positive and uplifting lyrics combined with Rippa's melodic, deep, rich baritone voice, his message is in the music...spiritual soul.  Rippa Jackson says he is here to "sing jah music, Rastafari music, songs of the ancient, music of life experienced, everyday livity".

Rippa's recently released single, in honor of Black History Month, Mau Mau Warrior is a testament to the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya.  Mau Mau Warrior speaks of our great history and the current situation in Africa.  The song begins with a short introduction of Marcus Garvey telling black people to rise up and know that our minds are free no matter where we are and no matter what they do to us.  It reminds us of how we were treated during slavery, tells us to unite and be one so it can never happen to us again.  The most high Emperor Haile Selassie is also highly praised in this song for all the love and mercy he has shown to us as a people.  "Freedom up a Africa" are the first words uttered in this track as it is directed to all Africans scattered throughout the Earth.  Mau Mau Warrior is a universal cry for unity amongst our people.

The Jamaican-born, US based artist who brought you the chart topping single, Help Someone, is putting the finishing touches on his soon to be released album entitled, Help Someone.  Between tour dates and studio work, Rippa with his management team, Hothead Kulcha, is devoting time to community development through his Give Them A Helping Hand Foundation in collaboration with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, LL Cool J and Russell Simmons as well as the HHC Guns Down Life Up Campaign.