Artist of the Week – Kenyatta

Named for Kenya’s first Prime Minister, Jomo Kenyatta, and the son of late reggae icon Joseph “Culture” Hill, Kenyatta “Culture” Hill has always been destined for big things. Under his father’s guidance, Kenyatta gained early exposure to the music business, often going out on tour and developing an interest in technical and sound equipment.

His father was the front man of Culture, the legendary vocal trio whose 1997 record “Two Sevens Clash” helped define the roots reggae genre. Over the course of a prolific career spanning more than three decades, Joseph Hill’s music broadened the appeal of reggae, boasting particularly large fan bases in Africa and the UK.

Kenyatta’s debut album, Pass the Torch, was recorded in Jamaica and produced by Lynford “Fatta” Marshall, whom Kenyatta calls “one of the best engineers in Jamaica. This is my first album and I wanted someone who was going to push me to the limit. He was definitely that person.” The album’s first single, “Daddy,” is a poignant tribute to Joseph backed by a masterful roster of musicians, including Sly Dunbar, Dean Fraser and Sky Juice.  Since it’s release, Pass the Torch has been hailed as “extraordinary” by the Chicago Sun-Times, the poignant lyrics and refined vocals having “moved [them] to tears.”

“Daddy” Video

Kenyatta has stepped in to carry on the wonderful sound of “Culture” as their lead singer and recently toured with reggae staple Beres Hammond.
Kennyatta’s MySpace page.