Autotune and cheap digital riddims seem to have ruled Jamaican dancehalls for way too long now. There are exceptions, of course, but they rather prove the rule. Roots reggae is still alive in Europe, with more or less the same artists touring regularly, performing the very same songs they got famous for two or three decades ago. In recent years though, a roots reggae band scene evolved back ah yard, largely unnoticed to reggae lovers and even journalists outside of Jamaica. Dubtonic Kru and No Maddz are examples of bands that emerged from this scene, both had some impact in Europe recently.
The most brightly shining stars from that context, if you ask me, are Raging Fyah. The group, consisting of six musicians and singers (all attended the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts), came together in 2006. Very soon, they amazed local music professionals. When Ellen Köhlings and Pete Lilly, the editors in chief of RIDDIM, travelled to Jamaica earlier this year, Raging Fyah got a thorough cover story - before the release of their debut album. Surprised? Press play on 'Judgement Day' and you will not be anymore.
Earthy, groovy basslines catch you instantly. Slow beats catch your attention, with hi-hats and snares getting good workouts. Sweeping keyboards soak you in, there is no escape. Guitars weep, mourn and skank. Relaxed, distinct voices sing lyrics that soothe you, lyrics that strangely seem to reconcile the infinite antagonisms of modern life. Third World, evokes your brain. Bob Marley, says your heart. Something brand new and deeply touching, says your soul.
While 'Judgement Day' contains only eleven tunes - one of them had been recorded live during a concert-, the tremendous quality of each one makes more than up for it. This is pure, classical roots reggae at its very best - yet it has a contemporary feel, without actually incorporating seasonable urban music. Conscious roots reggae is on the rise again, and 'Judgement Day' is the best prove to that claim one could imagine. Köhlings and Lilly, perhaps lacking the right words as I do right now, coined the term postmodern roots to better grasp it.
With this sweet-sweet album, Raging Fyah already entered the eternal hall of fame of reggae music. Not having this album in your collection of records would be an unforgivable mistake. I am really looking forward now to Judgement Day - if only to hear Raging Fyah playing music for the rebels, playing sweet in heaven.
Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
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Genres | Reggae |
Years active | 2006–present |
Labels |
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Website | ragingfyah.com |
Members |
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Raging Fyah is five-piece reggae band from Kingston, Jamaica, formed in 2006. They released their first album in 2011, and in 2016 signed to VP Records, with third album Everlasting earning them a Grammy nomination.
So i can safely say I a Rasta son On Judgement Day i'll be playing music for the rebels Roots rock regg-ae music, playing sweet in heaven On Judgement Day i'll be playing music for the rebels Roots rock reggae music playing sweet in heaven The foolish man built up his house upon the sand but Rastaman built up his temple on a firm foundation he who knows, knows you better know your self don't. Raging Fyah are a traditional reggae band from Kingston, Jamaica. Their soulful sound exists to provide upbeat energy and positive vibes to listeners around the globe. Lead singer Kumar Bent lends a voice to Raging Fyah's dialectical lyrics; he speaks on themes of personal identity, the advancement of race relations and forward progress in their homeland.
Career[edit]
Delroy 'Pele' Hamilton, Demar 'Demz' Gayle, and Anthony 'ToniDrumz' Watson met while studying music at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, where they studied under Ibo Cooper, former keyboardist with Third World.[1][2] They formed Inside Out in 2002, changing their name to Raging Fyah in 2006.[2][3] According to Gayle, the band's name came from their time as house band at a studio in Standpipe owned by a man known as 'Raging', with someone remarking after one of their performances that the band's sound 'was not just Raging, it was a 'Raging Fyah'.[4][1]
In 2011, they released their debut album Judgement Day. In that same year the band hit the road to perform on a number of global stages as well as to headline several major reggae festivals in Europe including Summerjam, Rototom Sunsplash and Garance.[5]
The group's second album, Destiny, was released in 2014, and included the anti-bullying themed single 'Brave'.[6]
In Fall 2015 Raging Fyah signed a multi-album deal with VP Records.[2] In Spring 2016 Raging Fyah released Everlasting, their debut album for VP Records' Dub Rockers imprint, recorded live at Kingston's Tuff Gong Studios with producer Llamar 'Riff Raff' Brown, and featuring collaborations with Busy Signal, J Boog, and Jesse Royal.[1][2][7] The album peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, and featured at no. The pogues dirty old town mp3. 5 in the magazine's '10 Best Reggae Albums of 2016'.[8][9] It also reached the top 10 of the CMJ World Charts.[10] Raging Fyah spent the rest of the year touring the US with Stick Figure and Fortunate Youth, and a 2016 European tour bringing Stick Figure as support. That year they were nominated in the 'Most Outstanding Show Band' category at the International Reggae & World Music Awards.[10]
2016 ended with Everlasting receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album.[11] 2017 began with an extensive tour across the US supporting Tribal Seeds,[12][13] followed by a summer tour in the UK supporting Ali Campbell's version of UB40.[14][15] In 2018 lead singer Kumar Bent left the band to concentrate on a solo career. In 2019 the band released the single 'Better Tomorrow.'
Band members[edit]
- Odean 'Journey' Ricketts – guitar/lead vocal[16]
- Delroy 'Pele' Hamilton – bass
- Anthony 'ToniDrumz' Watson – drums
- Demar 'Demz' Gayle – keyboards
- Nicolas 'Grossy' Groskopf – guitar
Videos[edit]
- 'Far Away'
- 'Brave'
- 'Irie Vibe'
- 'Jah Glory'
- 'Barriers'
- 'Running Away'
- 'Nah Look Back'
- 'Milk & Honey'
- 'Dash Wata'
Albums[edit]
- Judgement Day (2011), Raging Fyah Production
- Destiny (2014), Corner Stone Music
- Everlasting (2016), Dub Rockers
References[edit]
- ^ abcMeschino, Patricia (2015) 'Jamaican Band Raging Fyah Eyes American Reggae Market, Signs Multi-Album Deal With VP Records', Billboard, 4 November 2015, retrieved 4 November 2015
- ^ abcdJeffries, David 'Raging Fyah Biography', Allmusic. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^Campbell, Howard (2017) 'Six-string Hero', Jamaica Observer, 31 March 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^Delahaye, Jordane (2013) 'From A Spark To A Raging Fyah', Jamaica Gleaner, 31 March 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^Hyde, Ashley (2016) 'From Spark to Raging Fyah' IRIE, 5 May 2016, retrieved 5 May 2016
- ^Johnson, Richard (2014) 'Bullying Under Raging Fyah', Jamaica Observer, 20 November 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^Jackson, Kevin (2016) 'Raging Fyah makes Billboard debut', Jamaica Observer, 7 June 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^'Raging Fyah Chart History', Billboard. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^Kenner, Rob (2016) 'Billboard's 10 Best Reggae Albums of 2016: Critic's Picks', Billboard, 23 December 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^ ab'Raging Fyah up for award', Barbados Today, 25 August 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^Johnson, Richard (2016) 'Raging Fyah humbled by Grammy nomination', Jamaica Observer, 9 December 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^Meschino, Patricia (2017) 'Why Half of This Year's Best Reggae Album Grammy Noms Are Not Jamaican', Billboard, 10 February 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^'Fyah on ‘ambassadorial' duties', Jamaica Observer, 28 January 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^Johnson, Richard (2016) 'Raging Fyah humbled by Grammy nomination', Jamaica Observer, 9 December 2016, retrieved 9 December 2016
- ^Anson, John (2017) 'Ali's special treat for reggae lovers as UB40 bring Grandslam tour to Blackpool', Lancashire Telegraph', 30 March 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017
- ^https://www.facebook.com/raging.fyah/