Signatures Vol. XVII: Fantan Mojah

In what is becoming an all too often tradition around here of sorts, today we give thanks and honour the contributions of someone who we, most unfortunately, recently lost physically. From the time Fantan Mojah made his grand arrival via his signature LARGE, anthemic brand of Roots music, he announced himself as someone who would be damn difficult to ignore over the course of the next quarter-century or so; along the way providing the genre with some of its most unforgettable tunes of the era. At the peak of his popularity, 'The Macka Tree' was one of Reggae music's most reliable hitmakers of his era and he has left us with a BEAUTIFUL body of work as he rests. 

Today, just as we did with Cocoa Tea and Determine before him, we pay tribute to someone who is set to perform his first sold-out show in Zion. Signatures: Fantan Mojah

1. 'Thanks & Praise'

Here to stay. There may be (there ARE) HUNDREDS of Roots tunes with the title 'Thanks & Praise' or something very similar (i.e. 'Give Thanks & Praise', 'Thanks & Praises'...). It's a very common title and if you listen to Fantan Mojah's version of it, you won't hear a damn thing that you won't likely find on any of the others in terms of ideology. What differs it is such a POWERFUL combination of passion, energy and conviction with that SWEET AS ALL HELL riddim. Around twenty years ago, the world's leading Dancehall producer, Don Corleon, ventured out of his comfort zone and showed that his kingdom covered farrrrr more ground that just songs about girls, guns and ganja with the very well received Drop Leaf Riddim. He would do it again, almost immediately, with the Seasons Riddim which was arguably even stronger. It would carry bona fide hits from the likes of Morgan Heritage, Wayne Wonder, the aforementioned Jah Cure, Vybz Kartel, Natural Black (who scored with the single greatest song he's ever done, 'Far From Reality') and Mojah. With the exception of Natural Black and maybe Cure (whose 'Love Is' was just a damn devastating display of his most STRANGE of gifts that has ever existed) I'd CLEARLY put 'Thanks & Praise' ahead of the pack and when you REALLY dig into some of that material, that's saying ENDLESS about the nature of 'Thanks & Praise'. No it wasn't revolutionary in the slightest and it wasn't doing anything that hadn't been done countless times before (or since) but in its own UNIQUE way, 'Thanks & Praise' was magical and it still is. 

2. 'Hail The King'

Take nothing at all. Let's talk about how incredibly interesting 'Hail The King' is for a minute. It'd been a minute since the last time I'd laid ears on this tune and, even after alllllll these years, I find it downright JARRING. It is such a nice song and it hits you on so many different layers. You know where I am with it in 2026?? I'm thinking about EFFORT. I'm thinking about the punchline:

"IT NO TAKE NOTHING AT ALL FI HAIL THE KING!"

Saying that to praise His Majesty requires NOTHING AT ALL from you. It won't cost you any money, you don't have to go anywhere, you don't have to break a sweat, you don't even have to talk to anyone! It is as simple for you as rising in the morning! It should be a natural process that occurs in your body and, from the standpoint that Mojah was coming from, and considering the effort and passion he put into it, he almost comes off as a bit frustrated with the masses but he's doing part. He's done his part. Now I must do mine and you must do yours.

3. 'Stronger'

Make me stronger. The title track from Mojah's second album, the Maximum Sound produced 'Stronger' (biggup Frenchie) was another sizable hit from the Macka Tree. A kind of a dual-leveled effort, 'Stronger' was both a praising tune and one which dealt with responding to negativity and those who may be working against you in a slightly more tangible sense as well. Yes. It was fairly well written but the lion's share of the appeal for 'Stronger' were the sonics. Although it didn't have the performance of some of their others, strictly as a music composition - the Jah Powers Riddim which supports here was probably one of the finest tracks Maximum Sound has EVER done and this was, FAR AND AWAY, its biggest moment (respect to Jah Mason though who did quite well with his 'Things Will Be Better'). 

'Stronger' was exhilarating, it was powerful and one of the STRONGEST of its time and Fantan Mojah's entire body of work. 

4. 'Tell Lie Pon Rasta'

CONSPIRACY! Frenchie & Maximum Sound were back at the helm of another sizable hit registered by the Macka Tree, the hard-to-forget 'Tell Lie Pon Rasta' which utilized their gorgeous Session Riddim (where it reigned supreme). The song found Mojah (appropriately) concerned with the image and perception of Rastafari and how the walk is so often misunderstood. 

"Dem talk alotta things bout Rastafari

Bout how wi a cult, wi a Blackheart man 

Dem seh Rasta mean and Rasta no clean

And how wi nuh have no self-esteem"

The song's direction has always at least somewhat reminded me of another favourite of mine, 'Rasta Still Deh Bout' by Lutan Fyah & Josie Mel and while 'Tell Lie Pon Rasta' was most certainly a bit more on the proverbial 'front foot' both songs have etched themselves in my memory for similar reasons and I'm still celebrating them both as much I possibly can! 

5. 'How Can I Be Ungrateful' featuring Zareb

After all that Jah has done for me. While putting this list together, it has occurred to me that I could legitimately make a strong case that THREE tunes that're combinations between Mojah and criminally underrated, sweet singing Clarendon native Zareb (formerly Mr. Flash) (before that he was Singing Flasher) could make this list. I'm still working on it and I'd be surprised if at least two of them don't make the final cut but when I got them all together the one that I was most certain about was this complete GEM of a tune produced by Shore Jam on their LOVELY but overlooked Ruff Life Riddim (Natty King had a golden piece of tune on it as well).

"Jah give me health and strength upon di battlefield 

Teach mi how to love my brother and mi sister that is real

JAH YOU FULFILL MY NEEDS SO MI NAH GO STEAL 

Rastafari blessing never conceal

Di wicked dem ah pray fi mi ting pop dung a road

The Most High a mi Guidline, dat a fi mi code

Preach violence: Eye fi an eye, soul fi a soul

When dem check seh mi dun lef get a new episode"

The song's title (and chorus) spoke for itself. How in the world can be an ingrate, given everything that I have going for me in my life. There're ALWAYS people in worse situations than you, so it's important to appreciate EVERYTHING that you have going for you in your life. 

6. 'Rastafari Is The Ruler' featuring Zareb

What a joy it bring. If you didn't get the message on 'How Can I Be Ungrateful', Mojah and Zareb come back with the harsher 'Rastafari Is The Ruler' to make sure everyone is clear precisely where they stand. Mojah, for his part, really stepped up the intensity on 'Rastafari Is The Ruler' but we ultimately arrived at the same point, when contrasted by Zagreb's very smooth vocals. A somewhat overlooked ultra-passionate and LOVELY tune that has stuck with me through the years and, again, one of several testaments to just how well these two worked together.  

7. 'Hungry'

Open up the door! As we always do, we begin with what I think is likely Fantan Mojah's most memorable tune and it was also probably his first. The absolutely MAMMOTH 'Hungry' would not only go to signal what was coming in the way of the burgeoning vocalist but, more specifically, the work he would go on to do with Downsound Records, who lent the St. Elizabeth up and comer their reimagined Invasion Riddim, which he would return to them with a crown!

I use the word ANTHEM to describe much of Fantan Mojah's music. An anthem for me is a song with a big, bright sound that sticks in your head and you can literally picture people singing along to it, WITH PURPOSE, there's a cause behind it. That describes 'Hungry' perfectly and, all of these years on, we're still singing it.

8. 'Nuh Build Great Man' featuring Jah Cure

Babylon be still. I don't think I'm going too far at all by calling this LUSH combination with the single greatest voice ever placed in a human being better a CLASSIC. 'Nuh Build Great Man' did a heavy amount of damage in its day and its presence on a list like this of mine was a definite.

"Dem nuh build great man

Dem only kill great man

Babylon be still and no underrate man"

For my ears, 'Nuh Build Man' was a SUPPORTIVE anthem. It was about seeing people who're doing positive things (like making music, for example) and putting your backing (whatever that may mean for you) behind them. I can say that such a song, theoretically, probably isn't terribly rare in the genre but you don't usually hear them sounding like this. So while the subject matter wasn't necessarily outlandish, the QUALITY of the material most certainly was: One of THE best songs Mojah or The Cure have ever done. 

9. 'Vampire'

 

Rubber tire. London Individuals pulled in a load of big names for their gorgeous Billion Riddim, including Fantan Mojah who, arguably, gave them their single biggest track altogether. I think this one just may be the most unlikely of my entire list but I've always LOVED 'Vampire'. There're certain songs on which the artist almost sounds like... they are OVERWHELMED with just... disgust. That was this song. Mojah comes off like certain people's behaviour is SO DAMN NASTY that it has led him to make 'Vampire' with such a brilliant level of passion. It isn't messy or overdone at all. 'Vampire' hit every mark for me and has, quietly, become one of Mojah's strongest selections altogether for me. 

10. 'Most High Jah'

Deliver me. The infamous Flava McGregor was at the height of his powers when he delivered to the world the biologically perfect Rub-A-Dub Riddim (THAT THING WAS FLAWLESS ON A MOLECULAR LEVEL!). The track would give life to a number of hits from the likes of Etana, I-Octane, Morgan Heritage, Capleton, Richie Spice and Ginjah ["NEVER LOST MY WAYYYYYYYY!"] [BOOM!] but, to my opinion, it was Mojah taking top honours with the HALTING 'Most High Jah'. Not only was it the best song on the Rub-A-Dub but it's also my favourite song that he's ever done. Period! 'Most High Jah' featured a version of Fantan Mojah that came off as highly emotional (he sounded like he was going through some things when he recorded it) at times but not to, obviously, the detriment of the tune's quality - it enhanced it! Listening to it now, of course, 'Most High Jah' has an even greater significance for what has happened and it hits me even harder in 2026. 

11. 'Authentic Love' featuring Zareb

What I'm searching for. I told you this might happen. After considering everything, you will find THREE tunes featuring Mojah alongside Zareb on this list and for good reason. The final of the trio also just happened to be the title track for the singer's (very overlooked but SOLID) debut album from nearly twenty years ago now. 'Authentic Love' was just a GORGEOUS love song across a cut of the Hard Drugs Riddim. Love songs can be sorta odd and you won't find the ranks of these posts full of them but there is definitely something to be said when someone gets it RIGHT. 'Authentic Love' was beautiful and ENTERTAINING. It wasn't some sappy 'oh baby I love you forever' type of track and, at least for me, stands as a signature for both Mojah and Zareb.

It's too bad that we'll never get them back together again but what they've left us with as a a pair (and there're other tunes they've done) (check 'Good Meditation' - also a big tune) stands as some of the best work of both and unforgettable in my mind. 

12. 'Rasta Got Soul'

"Many are gone but not forgotten"

...how damn fitting is this song now. 'Rasta Got Soul' was Fantan Mojah's tribute to this wonderful artform and those who came before and paved the way allowing individuals like himself to soar as they did and still are and now... he's joined them! 

"No, you caan influence mi fi go do another ting

FROM MI BORN A REGGAE MUSIC MI AH SING

Some don't know di history and don't know di ting

Big mouth dem nuh stop labbering

Nuff nah show respect to di elder dem

Wi haffi crown dem heights, dem a di great legends

YOU CAN'T COME TELL MI SEH YOU A DI MAN WHEN REGGAE MUSIC YUH NUH OVERSTAND

And nuff a dem nuh know bout di music

Dem just ah hustle and to try fi abuse it

Dem nuh sew no seed!

Dem waan fi reap and ah sell wi out cheap

Respect to di youths dem weh buss from di ghetto 

Cross di world, dem mad Reggae music ah echo [ECHO]

Nuff a dem a bandwagonist

Dem caan follow this

Listen di lion, wi ah roar!

RASTA GOT SOUL 

REGGAE MUSIC ROCKING MY BONE"

Sometimes you get a certain feeling that the person singing the song had a REALLY good time singing that particular song; I get THAT feeling from Fantan Mojah on 'Rasta Got Soul'. If you were to ask him, I think he'd call it one of his favourite songs from his career and it resonated with the people, scoring as one of his biggest hits to the surprise of absolutely no one. 

Thank you for your contributions to this wonderful artform, Fantan Mojah and REST EASY!

2026: W. T. F!

 

Have you been paying attention to what's been going on this year? No, I mean REALLY paying attention to what's been going on?? If you have, then certainly You, like me, are something past impressed by what we've are seeing unfold in 2026 in terms of releases. If you haven't, then watch this. I'm going to miss someone because this is completely off the top of my head. We have gotten full albums or EPs from the following in the first two-thirds of 2026:

Capleton

Akae Beka

Ziggy Marley

Sharon Marley

Shaggy

Protoje

Marlon Asher

Lutan Fyah

Pressure Busspipe

Dezarie

Ziggi Recado

Buju Banton

Beenie Man

Vybz Kartel

Etana

Ginjah

Mosiah

Vanzo

Alkaline

Norris Man

Queen Ifrica

Tiwony

Lion D

Mikey General 

Chezidek 

Jah Defender

Micah Shemaiah

Machel Montano

...yep. Reggae fans (who give a damn about albums) have been eating good in this year and you could make a case that it's only going to get better (It's 2026 and we get albums from Capleton, Buju & Beenie! Obviously, someone's missing but I'm not getting my hopes up for THAT) (biggup Bounty). If all goes according to plan, then the day this goes up, we will have a RIDICULOUS trio of albums released at the same time as German star, Gentleman, Grammy winner, Kabaka Pyramid and Ky-mani Marley (his name is Marley, he's probably been nominated for a Grammy at some point in his career) all are set to release their latest creations on the very same day (I mentioned Queen Ifrica & Ginjah in this list, also were on the same day - which happened to be my date of birth). On top of that, next month we're also getting an album from Anthony B, called "World Of Love" (yes. That is an awful title but I'm thinking the actual music will be pretty good) and even Al Pancho is popping up with a release (though I'm listening to clips right now and it isn't sounding very good). 

Out today

Out today

Out today

And I'm still fairly optimistic for the final third of the year. I think we still get at least one or two big names showing up with releases. Sean Paul has been active this year, so has Busy Signal and, who knows, though it is looking crowded on that side with a trio of Marley siblings... perhaps the (in my opinion) greatest of them all, Jr. Gong, will bless 2026 with his monstrous talents for the first time in damn near a decade. Regardless, you know there're still FOUR complete months to go and if the first eight have been any indication, we're still healthy for the rest of the year. Just thought you'd like to know. 

As Expected: A review of Eminence by Beenie Man

Unshock. Sometimes you go into these things and you just don't know what the fuck to expect. Be it some oddly overactive artist (biggup Sizzla back in da day), someone announcing that some album that they're doing is going to be more on the experimental side, someone just unpredictable, in general (biggup Perfect) or for some other reason; sometimes you don't know even remotely what you're getting into when you listen to an album... and then there are times like these. On the other side of the examples I just gave you would be several others which virtually guarantee what you're going to hear (quality, of course, being a different story - just  talking about SOUND right now). Not too long ago, we told you about a new EP from VI standout, Pressure Busspipe by the name of "All For A Time". The set found Pressure, once again, linking with the venerable Zion I Kings, a pairing which has not only proven to be ultra-fruitful and productive but has also managed to produce a very signature sound; everyone and everyone's mom knew precisely what we were getting into in that instance (...in that particular case, the quality was also assured, actually). And that could be the signal that gives you an overview of what's going on. Sure, someone working alongside someone else doesn't always have to be the same thing but an oft-pairing of artist and label/s making a certain type of sound can definitely be a strong forecast of what is to come. This is true despite the fact that Pressure is someone who has changed things up in his career. He's made Soca and Dancehall and even an entire album full of love songs at one point. In other cases, they can just TELL you what to expect. That occurred on Buju Banton's most recent release, "Too Too Bad", which he billed, essentially, as a sequel to "Too Bad", an album built upon hardcore Dancehall music almost entirely. Again, we can talk about the results of said direction at another time (we already did that) but the route to be taken was crystal clear and, there especially, became a major selling point in the marketing of "Too Too Bad". Also, just as someone like a Perfect Giddimani can be very erratic (and I mean that in a good way), there're others who can be just as routine and calculable. When.... Mark Wonder makes an album (any time now Mr. Wonder), for example, you know what to expect because his history and his present has taught us what he does. 

And sometimes you can just... kinda... sometimes you can LOOK AT SOMETHING and have a pretty good idea where it's going. Let's say... oh, I don't know... let's say BEENIE MAN, just to name someone, was going to release an album in 2026. Most likely you'd have a pretty good idea as to how it would sound, regardless of the producer. Beenie is someone who has long entered the 'crossover' category, so whatever he does, you'd expect it to at least have some more international flavours to it, namely Hip-Hop & R&B (and maybe a little Pop as well). There'd be some big name crossover guests and some sounds that would well appeal to a wider audience. That's what he did at his peak and he's still doing it to this very day in regards to his album releases (I've been listening to a lot of "Undisputed" lately) (probably better than it was given credit for being). You'd also expect there to be an attempt to appeal to some of his more traditional heads (like You & Me) and doing that by incorporating more traditional Dancehall and Reggae music and maybe even bringing in a few names from that spectrum as well; maybe even with a few very familiar riddims. I'd also think that he'd look to make a big statement in the Dancehall. Something proclaiming himself as KING (remember that). 

SHOCKINGLY (not really), that turns out to be a decent description of the latest creation of the Dancehall beacon, "Eminence". Though it seems as if we've gotten used to Beenie taking a long time between full releases, it was just three years ago when he delivered the Grammy nominated "Sim Simma"; while It was a decade ago now that the album ahead of it, "Unstoppable", dropped. I'm going to place "Sim Simma", "Unstoppable" and now "Eminence" in the same little group as they almost seem to come off as Beenie almost enjoying a 'victory lap', of sorts. The albums haven't been crazily popular (as far as I know) or amazing in quality but they've generated a considerable amount of buzz and have done well in terms of attention. Also, it most certainly doesn't appear that Beenie Man is ready for retirement anytime soon as he's continued to put forth a strong effort at such a progressed and downright legendary stage of his career. "Eminence" finds the 'Who Am I' star linking with Billboard King Records and one of our personal old favourites, Kemar 'Flava' McGregor. Once upon a time, in the very early days of this blog, McGregor would have been THE producer of choice. The man sat on a mountain and is still to be respected so, even now, the idea of BKR making an album with Beenie Man, on paper, was pretty inviting. At some point along the way I got a look at the tracklist of "Eminence" and I got even more convinced that what I was thinking that it might be was going to turn out to be the case. I am no fan or expert of Hip-Hop at all but there's a certain quality that comes with these type of 'broader' releases and that's numerous combinations. There're a lot of people featured on "Eminence" not named Beenie Man and there are a few occasions that you run into songs that you presume will receive some run in more international circles... as expected. While I don't think that "Eminence" will necessarily get that type of outward PUSH, again, Beenie is someone who has attained a level of respect amongst international fans and I would expect quite a few of them to be interested in "Eminence". When/If they do get here, however, will they like what they hear??? 

Probably not ALL of it but some of it. Beenie Man does something similar to the aforementioned Pressure Busspipe and Chronixx with their most recent sets as "Eminence" arrives just a couple of days ahead of the completion of his fifty-third rotation of the sun. To start things off, he picks up nice singer, Rènata (who has her own album, her first, "Self Expressions", which just launched a few weeks ago) and they head to Miami and link up with Hip-Hopper, Rick Ross (I actually think Flava McGregor, himself, is also calling Miami home these days as well) for '305/876'. This tune reminds of an old R&B song whose title escapes me now (and I could just be wrong about that) and I have to say that it grew on me just a bit. Beenie drops a few wordy pearls ["Wi neva stop til wi hit di bullseye. Di baddest riddim play by Robbie & Sly"] and Rènata, with her somewhat unusual voice, definitely helps to light things up. I still don't LOVE the opener but it's probably better than I would have thought after my first spinthrough. Rick Rock returns later on, along with Rotimi, on the kind of meh 'Hat Tip'. This one is spiritual and it does have a BIG sound to it but 'Hat Tip' is a very average song and slightly behind the opener. For the album's second tune, Beenie pulls in good friend and long time collaborator, American R&B songstress Mya for, 'Don't Rush'. I don't know how many times these two have worked together and I don't feel like looking it up but SURELY their most memorable track would be the classic remix for 'Girls Dem Sugar'. 'Don't Rush' is absolutely nowhere near that level and.... I don't particularly enjoy it at all, REALLY. BY FAR the coolest thing about this one is that it seems to utilize a version of the same track that originally underpinned a song called 'That's The Way Love Goes' by Janet Jackson (who Beenie's also worked with in the past). That's it. That is THE best thing that I can say about this song but "Eminence" would have been more eminent had it been left on the cutting room floor. They could have kept 'Do It' as well, in my opinion. This song features American rapper, Lola Brooke, a name that is completely new to me anddddd, it also sounds kinda familiar, like some old song with a name that I can't quite put my finger on. This may just be my least favourite tune on "Eminence" altogether. Brooke seems to be a fairly straightforward rapper and talented enough (coming from someone who's never been a fan of the genre, admittedly) which isn't my thing but 'Do It' seems to... be offkey at times. The vocals, especially at the chorus, don't mesh really well with the music in my opinion and it just does not do a single thing for me. 

I may not know very much (anything) about Lola Brooke but the next name to join Beenie Man here is well familiar as is the song on which she joins as the spectacular Etana lends her ridiculous talents to 'Guide Over Us'. The first thing I thought when I saw these two together was probably about what a unique combination they made for. Though Etana has definitely branched out in recent times, Beenie Man + Etana still comes off as a little strange, doesn't it??  Maybe it's just me. Anyway. Their tune together is anything but "strange" and, instead, is fairly terrestrial (the video, on the other hand, is another story. You look at that video and try to make it make sense with the actual song... GOOD LUCK!. There is way too much ass in it to have some kind of correlation. The song, itself, is decent though surely nothing special but the very fact that these two worked together is an attractive point for "Eminence" - a pairing of genuine Reggae & Dancehall royalty. 

The big names continue to join Beenie Man for this album. Without a doubt, one of the finest such moments comes during the delightful 'Make Out' which pulls in R&B veteran vocalist, Ashanti and rapper, T.I. In the case of the latter, I'm pretty sure that the very first time I ever even heard TI's name was on a song he did with Beenie, maybe twenty years ago now by the name of 'I'm Serious'; so the two have a history together and Ashanti is no stranger to the spectrum at least, having mined gold alongside Machel Montano a few years ago on 'The Road'. 'Make Out' is VERY good. It's a beautiful summer-ish sounding type of song that finds just enough of an edge to not be too... sappy. Also managing just fine is 'For You', which is sort of a remake of the classic 'Anything For You' and, just as was the case on the original, this cut features several different names. Joining Beenie, amongst others are Snoop Dogg and Ele (who does EXCELLENT with his small contribution). There're almost TEN people on this track by my count and it isn't even four minutes long so yes, it does come off as a bit rapid but, again, it's a fun time and almost everyone manages to score well with the biggest credits going to the aforementioned Ele as well as Pamputtae. Reggae vet, Stevie Face, lends his gorgeous vocals to 'If I Follow My Heart' which isn't a total loss, I suppose, but it also isn't very good. Where 'Make Out' avoids the trap of being entirely too damn mushy; 'If I Follow My Heart' most certainly does not. It falls right into the hole. 

When the friends take a step back and leave Beenie Man on his own, "Eminence" shines its brightest... for the most part... arguably. Not included in that statement AT ALL is the wholly awful 'She's A Good Girl'. 

"Girl you born pon a pum pum farm!"

And that's all that needs to be said about that one. There's also the AIGHT 'Bands' with its big sound. 'Bands' actually has a place on this album because it is somewhat related to my favourite song here, that it follows. THAT tune is also kind of bragging about the levels that Beenie has attained (and nothing wrong with that. You did the work - enjoy it!) but it's almost vacant at times and I'll go into this more in a minute but there's a nice distinction to be made between similar songs and why one sticks out and another does not. Substantially better than both the songs that I just told you about but still a distance from GREAT would be the closer of "Eminence" 'Heavenly Father'. It's pretty much what you'd expect (sound familiar??), with Beenie offering up a prayer to close out on. Though largely unremarkable (a year from now, you will not remember it being on "Eminence"), it isn't fully devoid of any quality at all; it does have its moments, just not a lot of them. A step up from that (you see where this is going) would probably be 'Friends For Life' which finds Beenie touching up a classic riddim whose name I always forget. 'Friends For Life' actually has a bit of substance to it and one (or two) which I've been high on for years now. Appreciate people while they're in your life and make them know it because, "Nobody never promised tomorrow". I think more could have been done with this song but, to its credit, 'Friends For Life' does crawl out of its shell more and more as it progresses; ultimately with Beenie Man seemingly set out more to make a point than to make a song. 'Kingsteppa' actually made me smile and it was around here that I started to catch on what was happening DIRECTLY with "Eminence" (and not surprised by it at all). This one is an ode to Ini Kamoze's legendary 'Here Comes The Hotsteppa' and that vibe did something to my brain! It got me all nostalgia'd out (and my Wife too) and it's not going to change lives (none of this stuff is) but WHO CARES! 'Kingsteppa' is a damn good time! More good, fun stuff comes through on 'Marijuana in the Kouchie'. 

"And mi nah smoke cigarette cah mi nah waan mess up mi lung

Mi fit like a Honda cause e very morning mi run

To how mi love Mary Jane it cause problems with mi and mi hun

And mi nah memba and ah hum, mi just ah hummmm"

Across another classic riddim, 'Di Doctor' absolutely glows and 'Marijuana in the Kouchie' represents one of the all too infrequent times where it appears that he is genuinely having a great time (again, more on that in just a second). The results stand up for it as, EASILY, it ranks as one of the biggest highlights from "Eminence". Even better is the damn infectious 'Doll'. The vibe on this one is just perfect for what it is and also showing up is the wordplay. Songs like this don't tend to leave much of an impact but there is a difference with 'Doll'. It's a fairly straightforward but ALL SORTS OF FUN gal tune and it scratches an itch that "Eminence" definitely needed taken care of. THE most eminent moment of "Eminence" is the song that I alluded to when I said, "I'd also think that he'd look to make a big statement in the Dancehall. Something proclaiming himself as KING (remember that)". This the HAMMER of this album. It doesn't really have a set course but Beenie does provide what I believe is the punchline of "Eminence":

"Mi nah go nowhere"

As a testament to his longevity (and around for SO long at such a high level. He now has peers in Dancehall (or whatever that shit they make these days is) that were not on the planet when he started making hits and he's older than their parents) and efficiency, he tears into 'Immortal' unlike anything else present ["Over two-thousand hit song. 'Sim Simma' and 'Romie', unuh choose one"] and, again, provides us with a most needed thrill in the process. BOOM!

Two things I want to touch one about the balance of this release. When Beenie Man is, in my opinion, at his absolute best - yes, he's impressive lyrically and he makes a really catchy and flaring brand of Dancehall but it's also ENTERTAINING. He doesn't take himself very seriously at all (he's the ever iconoclast to Bounty Killer's rough and gruff style) and it's a BEAUTIFUL quality that comes through in his music when he's really on his game... just ask Romie... and his big fat sister Naomi. You don't find a lot of that during "Eminence", unfortunately. A song like 'She's A Good Girl', for example (and it's the final time I mention it, I promise), is playful and it's dirty as hell but it isn't really fun to listen to outside of it being awful. The approach actually sounds a little RIGID and formulaic and it isn't alone in that. Also worth mentioning is the preponderance of familiar sounds. All of the old riddims and melodies that come through seems like the intent was even more so focused on capturing that international ear. As a more hardened head I don't have much of a problem with that particular aspect --and it works better in some instances than in others-- but, along with the various names involved, it's another piece of evidence as to exactly what was the thought behind "Eminence". 

Overall, I don't want to seem like I'm being too hard on this one because it's not far, at all, from what I presumed it would be when I saw the tracklist in terms of quality. I wasn't expecting "Eminence" to be some fantastic, best of the year type of album and it most certainly is not; it's right in the middle. Some of it is (one of it) is truly bad, some of it borders on the spectacular and MOST of it is somewhere in between. That's something else that sort of gives me that inclination that it best stands as a "victory lap" type of set and... hell, he's earned it. While you will neither find Beenie Man at his best or anywhere near it on "Eminence", consistently, but what you will find, in spots, is the handiwork of an undeniable, bona fide legend and one who is, OBVIOUSLY, at a point in his career (and has been for years) where he is well aware of his stature, and he should be.... but you knew all of that already. 

Rated: 2.65/5

Billboard King Records

2026

Heat Check: A review of Breath Of Life by Queen Ifrica

Names. Lately, within the past few years or so, I've been attempting to stress the importance of celebrating talents and the people who possess them while they are still here and capable of appreciating it. This year, MOST UNFORTUNATELY, has already shown us just how fleeting time can be and, before you know it, circumstances have changed irrevocably and that moment is forever gone. For the most part, I don't think we, as humans in general, do a very good job of this, which I think goes to explain just how well we do actually do at the moment that someone we respect has left us... seemingly trying to make up for lost time. Sometimes, however, we do it quite well and get it 'right' (whatever that means) and the best evidence we have with this, at least around these parts, is tracing the level of attention and appreciation an artist has accumulated throughout their career and particularly noticing when things started to increase (or decrease) for them. In some cases, which seem to be very rare, what happens is that someone will announce their presence on the strength of a standalone, massive hit and then demonstrate themselves capable of matching those heights on a somewhat semi-consistent basis. Think of someone like an I Wayne or Warrior King who reached the masses courtesy of one giant hit, initially, and then proved that it was no fluke by supplying us with music of a similar quality and doing so almost immediately. Things can also have more of a gradual run which is far more common. In these instances, there may be several hits of varying degrees (which is, in and of itself, part of that slower process) and is far more common in my opinion. This approach is what has the capability of building legends as these instances are examples of people who simultaneously introduce themselves and their considerable talents to us at virtually the same time and if I were to ask you who you grew up listening to, most likely your answer would be full of names who grew on you (or your parents more likely) in a much slower way and gave you (your parents... or whoever raised you) years and years of joy.

At the height of that might be a moment where you take a minute and look up and... you just happen to notice that someone who you've been listening to for years has 'suddenly' (not really) (not AT ALL, actually) become a very big deal at a certain level of their career, whether you'd realized it or taken a REALLY good look at recently. Last year gave us a MIGHTY example of this in the form of "Exile" by Chronixx. If ever you had any question regarding the star power of Chronixx, take a long look at the majority response to that album. How I felt (and still do, btw) about is besides the point, the fact is that it was a very big deal in the minds and ears of many fans. While I do not think the release that we're going to talk about today will rise to those levels, who knows, I could be wrong. 

Have you checked in on Queen Ifrica lately??? You probably have but I pose the question because it's been a minute since we've written about her despite the fact that, for me, the diminutive (in height and ONLY in height) [tallawah indeed] Mobay native has well seen her profile raise over the course of the past decade or so. And speaking of "decades" perhaps the reason that we haven't covered her work much as of late is because of the fact that she's only released a single album over the course of the past decade. That set, 2017's "Rise", was her third altogether and the second, following 2009's "Montego Bay" ["Yad the east or forever hold your piece!"], for VP Records (absolutely ridiculous that album is now seventeen years old). Prior to that, you have to go wayyyyyy back to 2007 for her debut, "Fyah Muma", for Tony Rebel's Flame Productions. 'Montego Bay" was special. It was her opus (and it still is) and "Climb" (although slightly bloated) wasn't terribly far behind it. Having risen even further since those days, the idea of Queen Ifrica releasing an album in 2026 (and on my 45th date of birth, actually) is downright appetizing and I would love to get my hands on such a set... so biggup the Queen who, along with Junior Brown & Nuh Rush Records (in association with Tuff Gong) (biggup Bob), has now released her senior set, "Breath Of Life". There have been some big names doing major work on the album side this year (more on that in a few days) and when you add Ifrica's to the pot, she's definitely ranking, on paper, as one of the biggest. I had certain expectations of this year -- like Capleton & Buju -- but the prospects of Queen Ifrica doing a full project was nowhere on my radar and when I saw that it was offering, I got DAMN EXCITED. For me, the Queen has spent the last few years, musically, as someone who would pop up with that big tune at precisely the "right" moment, just when you had begun to think that it was time for her to give you something. She's been terribly reliable and, I suppose, that the timing for the new album was nearly perfect as well; had you told me we'd be getting this back in December, it would have well been amongst my most anticipated. Clearly I haven't been alone in that either as, from what I can tell, "Breath Of Life" is in the process of generating a nice amount of very early buzz (and I think that as outspoken as the Queen has been, outside of the studio, has also aided in lifting her profile amongst fans) and that is excellent but, of course, the main question regarding an album is DOES IT DELIVER??? Well... let's talk about that. 

"Breath Of Life" does end up in a good place ultimately but it does take a while for things to progress to that point in my opinion. For me, when she's at her absolute best, Ifrica is a very compelling blend of sweet & spicy and she can hit both areas effectively, as well as everywhere in between. At her best, Queen Ifrica can literally do EVERYTHING: From a traditional straightforward chant to an ultra-aggressive, agitated delivery (and, for the type of work that she does, she has a very nice singing voice when she does use it). So perhaps that's where my mind was as I dug into "Breath Of Life" which gets going in a predominately slower fashion (and then stays there for awhile) with its very light and breezy eponymous track. Try as I might... I could not get into 'Breath Of Life'! It's nice and it's pretty decent as an opener (it does have its moments, especially in the middle stages) to set the table for what is to come but I found it unremarkable in just about every way. Next in is a song that may be slightly stronger but one which left me with a similar feeling as the one before it, the lovers oriented 'Speechless'. I can't quite describe it but there is definitely something to the sonic appeal of 'Speechless' that I do enjoy but, whatever it is, it isn't huge. It's a nice sound to listen to and that is the best thing that I was left with from it. The golden-aged (damn near Doo-Woppish) 'Pelican' is considerably better than the two tunes ahead of it but, again, I wouldn't call it a great song necessarily. Very pleasing to the ears?? DEFINITELY. She also adds a bit of spice to the song for what may be the very first shot fired, in the most subtle possible way, on "Breath Of Life". 'Spoonful', as a good sign, is a further step ahead of 'Pelican', as it comes in (at least initially) in a similarly vibed style. To its credit, 'Spoonful' is a pretty clever love song which finds the Queen interesting in a someone that 'belongs' to a someone else who isn't doing right by them... or at least not as right as Ifrica thinks SHE can. 

"Mi will be yuh doctor, even check yuh vital

She just ah treat yuh like a instrumental 

Everything one place, it like intramural 

Yuh need fi mek a linkup, mek wi trod go rural

Wi friendship no ordinary, more like unusual

Baby, let's make it official

Let's make it official"

There's another song, 'Bad Girl', that doesn't make much of an impact but sounds pretty divine at times ["Original badness, no AI antics. Every robot bow to it"] but I come away from the first five songs of "Breath Of Life" entertained to some degree but not overly impressed. I also come away thinking that Queen Ifrica is likely enjoying life these days. She sounds COMPLETELY in love with someone. 

'My Highgrade', is a love song of a different variety and it's also, by far, the best song on the album up to that point [#6] with that downright FILTHY riddim supporting it. Let's talk about this tune for a minute. First of all, for as immaculate as it is at times, there's also (especially later on) a nice... almost improvised type of vibes to it. Certain parts of it sound like Queen Ifrica just came up with it off the top of her head and decided to leave it in the final version of the tune, which is such a nice mix of sounds. Her delivery is also winning on 'My Highgrade' as she largely employs a GRUFF type of chat which comes off as not like she's angry but she's trying to make sure that you pay full attention. Also more than mentioning (for the second time) is the music here. As it progresses, you start to hear more things -- like HORNS; glorious glorious horns -- and the base track is almost Hip Hoppish which I'm typically no fan of but it works for me on what is the first undeniable highlight from this album. Another heavy offering chases 'My Highgrade', the EXCELLENT praiser, 'Excellent Jah'. 

"Birds and di bees and ah praise Fari

Rivers and trees and di clear, blue sky

America to England - tension high

'PEACE & LOVE' a di great old cry

Put it pon pause, everyone stand by

War & crime you fi tell goodbye

Easy fi happen but I don't know why

Every nation ah beg, unuh nah comply"

Loosely redolent of the epic 'Alpha & Omega' by the aforementioned Chronixx; somewhere in the midst of this song is the archetype of what Queen Ifrica is best at, musically. 'Excellent Jah' is a prime example of her in her best form and demonstrating something that is almost uniquely hers as an artist (someone else who is really good at kind of varying approaches like this would be Reemah but she kind of builds intensities. Ifrica just kind of explodes at times). Here, she uses that fine form to give thanks to the Supreme in a THICK way. 

"No matter what time of day it is"

There's something infectiously pulsing going on with 'Weeping Willow' which seems as if it is building and building itself in the background. It does touch its crescendo ["IF NOT NOW THEN WHEN?!"] but its is the journey to that point that is most rewarding. The tune is an African unity peace and it has a certain grandness about it. If you were to just listen to the instrumentals of this one, I would expect even that to sound like something of a major importance is happening here. With the vocals added and the theme actually set, 'Weeping Willow' is nearly special. 'Mom Like Me' is ALLLLLLLLLLLL kinds of interesting. In Reggae music, if you've hung around to any length of time, chances are high that you've probably ran into more than a few tunes giving thanks to Mama above almost anyone and any THING else. 'Mom Like Me' is like the opposite point-of-view of all of those tunes. Here she deals with all of the joys and hardships you go through as parents watching your kids grow up and living being supportive through their successes and failures. I'm sure it exists but I'm having a hard time coming up with a similar song, at least one from recent times. MAYBE the only one even remotely close would actually be the next song, which takes things even further, 'New Version Of Me'. This song actually features Queen Ifrica alongside her own kids! The one you know will be Imeru Tafari but there're also his younger siblings Tanzie & Malawi (I don't know who Imeru's father is but the Tanzie's and Malawi's is Tony Rebel). This one is just a BEAUTIFUL full celebration of the entire family with mama saying how proud she is of her children, after all of the work she put in:

"I Clean your nose

Wipe your asses

Make sure that you're early for classes"

And the youths returning the love on how much she's inspired them to get where they're going in life:

"My Mother love endless

And dem qualities dem mi look fah inna mi empress

Di true meaning of selfless

Determined and perseverance, that is relentless"

Taken together, 'Mom Like Me' & 'New Version Of Me' are very original and unique musical experiences and it shows that Queen Ifrica and Nuh Rush REALLY got to thinking of some strong ideas to put into this album and they both light thing up on "Breath Of Life". 

Take 'Change The World' and compare and contrast it with the songs at the beginning of the album. It has a big and open, inviting sound like some of them do but it's stronger than all of them and immediately so (literally as soon as Ifrica utters a single word, the song takes an instant step ahead). The tune may just be either the single best or joint best written on the whole of the album and one of the best of its kind in recent memory from Ifrica as well. While, again, shining on the music with just a dash or two of spice to bring some flames to the vibes. Fantastic tune. I was expecting something on the light and probably more jovial type when I saw the title 'Raggamuffin Style' but, instead, Ifrica uses the moment to display some substance! The song is about hard work, hustling and doing everything you need to do to take care of yourself and put food on your table. 

"Mi certain, I will never be nobody else's burden

TRY AND GET OVER YOUR PROBLEMS LIKE A HURDLE 

No trust dem if you know dem will hurt you 

Dem treat you like a dirt too 

You better know your virtue

 Jah love and He'll never desert you

 Rise up all kings & queens, I urge you! 

Make sure you fast and you pray, that work too 

HIM love deh haffi purge you"

Another big winner and a nice surprise as well! Finally, for the first time in what seems like a pretty long time, the album's absolute pinnacle is at its tail as previous single, 'Lanton' is pretty damn special.

It may've taken a few playthroughs to grow on me initially but these days, 'Lanton' is in the stars when it comes to her catalogue: It's one of the best songs Queen Ifrica has ever done, period; it's the best song on "Breath Of Life; it's one of the best songs I've heard in 2026 from anyone. It's very speciiic in its approach but what I take from the song is that we all screw up sometimes. We all have bad stretches in life and during thes moments, there's something or SOMEONE who can help us out and lead us back to where we need to be. Ifrica's route taken to bring that message into the light is fucking genius. It just is. 

Overall, when you review an album, obviously you have to take the entire thing into consideration and if a nice sized portion of it (like damn near half of it) is less than stellar then the album is less than stellar and that is most definitely the case with "Breath Of Life". HOWEVER, I'm confident to say that the best that it has to offer ranks favourably alongside the best that Queen Ifrica has ever done. A song like 'Lanton'... that song can go anywhere. Drop it on either "Climb" or "Montego Bay" and it's just fine and it isn't the only song here that I can say that about. As a whole, "Breath Of Life" may leave a little something to be desired but, when it is good, it is GREAT, and those bites are everything you would hope for from someone in Queen Ifrica who just might STILL be on the rise.... even after all of these years. 

Rated: 3.70/5

Nuh Rush Records + Tuff Gong International

2026

Reggae On The River with Prezident Brown, Tuff Lion & Lujan

"A PEACEFUL GATHERING"

Okay so, I wanted to make sure I got this one in before the festivities actually began and made you aware of what a few people you probably know are getting into later this week in California in the US. If you are unfamiliar, there is a big festival called "Reggae On The River" that goes off every year and it's set to embark on its 37th [!] installment in 2026 and to celebrate, loooooooooongtime favourite of ours, Tuff Lion has linked up with the equally esteemed Prezident Brown as well as talented Californian veteran, Lujan to produce something of a theme song for the event, also called 'Reggae On The River'. 

Something really interesting happens with this tune to my opinion. Obviously, it's dealing with something very specific but, it just happens that it's speaking (at least to me it is) to something further.

"When the DJ plays your favourite song-

That old time feeling you get cannot be wrong"

...you don't actually need to be THERE for this song to be applicable. YOU DON'T EVEN NEED A DJ TO PLAY YOUR FAVOURITE SONG! YOU CAN PLAY YOUR FAVOURITE SONG! Whenever you want and for as long as you want! So it has legs outside of this event but it's also perfect for what I'm picturing they'll have in its name. 

"AH WHO SEH REGGAE DEAD WHEN IT'S THE LONGEST LIVER??"

Also included in the release is a "Toaster's Version": Got skills?? Try the riddim out for yourself! And we also a lovely Dub track which, as always, does a fine job in highlighting the instrumentation (about a minute into it, the dub literally starts to GLOW) (IT IS BEAUTIFUL!).

Along with his musical contributions (master of the guitar with a Modern Classic, "Ten Strings" being to his credit and everything else he does), I have to say that Tuff Lion was probably one of the very first actual makers of music who got in touch with us as... well over a decade now and probably over fifteen years - he sent me a 'thank you' for a review that I wrote for one his projects which really made me feel good at the time I remember and due to his involvement with I Grade Records and, subsequently, the Zion I Kings, I've probably been writing about the output of the brilliant Cruzan for almost a quarter-century now, whether I realized it at the time or not.

So, if you're getting out this year to ROR (which begins on Friday which is my birthday), here's a look at the LINEUP (on Sunday alone, you get Prezident Brown, Samory I, DEZARIE, Baby Cham and Don Carlos in succession)[BOOM!] do enjoy yourself and if not, you can join the rest of us in enjoying this big tune from Prezident Brown, Tuff Lion and Lujan, courtesy of Rising Love Music.