Kabaka Pyramid

Kabaka Pyramid (born Keron Salmon) is a reggae artist from Kingston, Jamaica, who combines elements of roots reggae, dancehall and rap. His musical role models include hip-hop artists such as Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan as well as roots singers such as Peter Tosh.[2][3]

Kabaka Pyramid
Background information
Birth nameKeron Salmon
Born1985 or 1986 (age 37–38)[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
LabelsBebble Rock
Websitewww.kabakapmusic.com

Career

Keron took his first musical steps at the end of the 90s. He started to write lyrics, to rap and to experiment with tools for sampling and creation of beats, together with friends from the high school in the Hope Pastures district.[1][3] At that time, he used the living room at his family's home as a makeshift studio.[4][5]

After graduating from high school in 2002, Keron went to Fort Lauderdale and gained further experience, with a focus on hip-hop.[3] Around this time, Keron chose his stage name,[3] composed of an Ugandan royal title, Kabaka, and the Egyptian monumental structures, Pyramid. On the one hand, he wanted to express his attachment to Africa as an avowed Rastafari, on the other hand his fascination with Egypt and places for storage of higher knowledge, which he sees reflected also in song lyrics.[2]

After the first more rap-oriented mixtape releases, a stronger focus on and fusion with reggae began to materialise from 2007 through his collaboration with Bebble Rock.[3]

In 2011, he recorded the EP Rebel Music completely in Protoje's home studio. In 2013, he met Damian Marley for the first time, from which the joint work Well Done resulted, to which Marley contributed the On The Corner Riddim and Kabaka Pyramid the lyrics. The collaboration continued, Marley produced the album Kontraband as well as 5 songs from the album The Kalling, which was completely recorded in Marley's studio in Miami.[1]

Kabaka Pyramid regularly performs at festivals, several times he has been part of the lineup at Summerjam or Rototom Sunsplash.

Discography

Albums and EPs
  • 2011: Rebel Music (EP)
  • 2013: Lead the Way (EP)
  • 2018: Kontraband
  • 2022: The Kalling

Mixtapes (incomplete)

Singles (incomplete)
  • 2012: Final Move, with Cornadoor
  • 2013: Mi Alright, with Chronixx
  • 2013: Strive, with Exco Levi
  • 2015: Well Done
  • 2016: High & Windy, with Sara Lugo
  • 2019: Hold Up Your Arms, with Capleton

Guest Appearances (incomplete)
  • 2015: The Flame on the album Ancient Future by Protoje
  • 2017: Generations will Rize on the album New Era Frequenzy by Nattali Rize
  • 2017: Suit & Tie on album Epistles of Mama by Stonebwoy
  • 2023: Nah Sell Out on the album Destiny by Alborosie

Awards
  • awarded Emerging New Artiste Of The Year in 2014 by the Jamaican Reggae Industry Association[6]
  • for the track Strive Kabaka Pyramid was awarded the Juno Award for Reggae Recording of the Year in 2014 (with Exco Levi).
  • the album The Kalling was awarded a Grammy Award in 2023 for Best Reggae Album.[7]

References
  1. "Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: Kabaka Pyramid On Embracing His Voice & The Bold Future Of Reggae". Grammy Awards. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  2. "Der Soundtrack von… Kabaka Pyramid" (Podcast). WDR Cosmo. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  3. "Interview: Kabaka Pyramid". United Reggae Online Reggae Magazine. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  4. "Kabaka Pyramid's model mom". The Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. "Kabaka Pyramid Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  6. JaRIA Honour Awards
  7. Mallick, Dani (5 February 2023). "Kabaka Pyramid Wins 'Best Reggae Album' At 2023 Grammy Awards". Dancehallmag.
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