Kabaka… before anything else, I’d love for you to share a message — straight from the heart — for the generations coming after us.
Music & Style
Your sound blends reggae with hip-hop lyricism in a way that feels seamless. How did you first discover the fusion, and how has it evolved over the years?
It’s really a long evolving journey but to put it shortly I always had a love for lyricism and that’s what drew me to hip-hop around 1996, when I was 11 years old. Reciting rhymes from Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Black Thought, Canibus etc. was the practice I needed to develop my own skills. Singing was very challenging for me as I had no real background or training in it so it was the lyricism that allowed me to shine as an artist. I found myself more confident when rapping than when singing or deejaying as we do in our culture (Reggae/Dancehall music).
Eventually I developed vocally and figured out how to blend what I considered to be two distinctly different styles of artistry. Rebel Music (2011) was the first project where I felt comfortable launching my solo career as a reggae artist and not as a rapper. Everything started to blossom from there.
The Kalling won you a Grammy in 2022. Looking back, what does that album mean to you now?
It means everything. It is the crowning piece of a journey filled with ups and downs, triumphs and heartaches, and the symbol of a truly great achievement in my life and career. It really changed everything for me, and I’m glad I decided to stay with Damian Marley as my producer — someone who is also very underrated as a producer, with lots of great records under his belt. It also puts my progress as a writer and vocalist on full display, revealing a more mature version of myself on many of the songs.
You recently released Extreme with DJ Smo. What exactly made you feel the need to record a song about this subject, and what is the message that should reach the fans?
As an artist who considers myself to be conscious, there is always a dilemma: whether or not to lift the veil on the darkness of the world. I decided after an overload of disturbing information that I wanted to lift the veil. My thinking is that if we say nothing then it’s like we are allowing it to happen and accepting it. I feel that pedophilia, human trafficking, child molestation and issues that deeply disturb me it’s necessary to tackle them aggressively. To think that the leaders we look up to are involved in these demonic schemes is very distressing. So the song is about awareness and making it clear we don’t accept these things.
“I feel like I am a different kind of success story than most”. You said. How do you define success?
I think success looks different for everyone. Ultimately, I believe it comes down to forward momentum, goals, milestones, and a feeling of satisfaction with a particular achievement. It could be streaming numbers, chart positions, sold-out shows, awards, or it could be genuinely changing someone’s life with your art. To me, the latter is the greatest success, but they are all important.
Mind and Soul
Your name “Kabaka” means “King” in Uganda, and the pyramids represent your desire for longevity and a deep connection to Kemetic roots. How important is it for you that your music outlives the moment — that it becomes timeless?
I think all great songs, or any kind of work really, stand the test of time. For someone who doesn’t put out music rapidly or often, it’s definitely ideal if your music can still be played years after it’s released. Disposable music is for more prolific artists who are willing to feed the high demand of their fans. It’s really engineered to be short-term.
You describe yourself as spreading „positive messages of spiritual evolution.” Has you own spiritual journey shifted or deepened in recent years?
I feel like I go through ebbs and flows with everything in life: periods of reading, meditation, yoga, etc., and periods where all that has been learned is put into practice in daily life. I also feel like part of the spiritual journey is living your purpose, and I try to do that to the fullest capacity. I strongly believe my purpose lies in music and in spreading messages and truth through this medium. So even though I haven’t been reading as much — although I still do from time to time, including audiobooks — I still feel like I’m on track.
What do you dream about more often?
My dreams are very random, and they often depend on my emotions during the day, as well as whether or not my phone or any Wi-Fi device is on or near me while I’m sleeping. Every night, I put my phone on airplane mode and throw it as far away as possible, lol. Every now and then, I’ll dream of someone who has passed on, or have other types of deep, meaningful dreams of a spiritual nature. But I believe those are not meant to be shared with others.
What makes you happy?
Football, lol. But it also makes me angry and sad. I love to laugh, though. I even make myself laugh sometimes with the things I think about. I like being around people who know my true nature, so I can make all the jokes I want. I spend a lot of time in solitude, and there is a peace in that which I fully enjoy.
How does your heart feel love?
Love comes from strong bonds with the people in my spirit group. Of course, it expresses itself in different ways: intimate love from and for a woman, the unconditional love of a mother and father, and protective love for a sibling or a good friend. I don’t have any pets at the moment, but that can surely be a source of pure love.
What brings you peace?
Quiet time with myself.
How do you protect yourself from negativity in the industry and the world around you?
I’ve learned to detach somewhat from what I see on social media, etc. I understand that the world is a school where souls gather experience. It feels intense on this plane, but our home is the spirit world, and that thought gives me peace.
A good team and a good strategy protects me from the negativity in the industry.
Independence
You’ve built your career through the Bebble Rock Music camp. What does creative independence mean to you, and what have you sacrificed — or gained — by staying true to it?
I’ve always felt like my path is unique, so the independent route always felt natural to me. I was never heavily into commercial music, so I never saw myself as a commercial artist that big labels would be attracted to. Because of that, it never felt like a sacrifice to me.
Ras-I described your path as an important example of discipline and determination for younger artists. What’s the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn on this journey?
The hardest lesson is that you can’t change the way people see you, or the way they think in general. Focusing on your craft and being true to yourself is the way forward. I can’t fix all the problems in the world with my music, but I can resonate with like-minded people.
About Live/Life Performance
What do your eyes see when you are on stage? And your heart… what does it feel?
Every performance is unique. But I watch the audience, always trying to sense what they are feeling. I want them engaged, moving, vibing, and connecting to the message. I feel excitement, sometimes anxiety, anticipation, joy, and relief when it’s over, lol.
How do you approach a live show differently from recording? What do you want audiences to feel when they leave?
I want the performance to be memorable. I want to make an impact on their lives as much as possible. Hopefully they leave feeling energized and inspired.
If one day, walking down the street, you saw God smiling at you from the crowd, what would you do? What would you say to Him?
The goal is to see God in everyone. One day I hope to reach that place.
