Posted by DJ Gravy
We at Largeup are pleased to present the exclusive stream to Jahdan’s new thunderous mixtape, “Global Warning”. Check back soon for the free download!
[audio:http://largeup.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Global-Warning-PODCAST-final1.mp3|titles=Global Warning! PODCAST final]
WARNING: THIS MIXTAPE IS FIRE!!!
Jahdan Blakkamoore belongs to a rare breed of artistry, blessed with incredible pitch and vocal abilities only matched by image conjuring lyrics capable of simultaneous smiles, head nods and goosebumps. His organic approach connects between the dots that are Reggae, Dancehall, Hip Hop, Dubstep and various Tropical phenomenons happening around the globe. Jahdan’s natural abilities lend themselves well to his hybrid style, as they are by-products of his upbringing.
Moving to Brooklyn from Georgetown, Guyana at 9 years old, he was engulfed with various Caribbean influences eventually leading to him becoming the Reggae / Dancehall artist in the Hip Hop industry. Picked up as a rookie for Branford Marsalis and DJ Premier’s “Buckshot LeFonque” project quickly led to his next feature, his intro, hook and verse on Brooklyn’s classic Reggae / Hip Hop anthem, “Sound Boy Bureill” by Smif n Wessun (and its En Vogue beat remix). Both still get played today all time during throwback sets in the club and on the radio. Jahdan’s list of Hip Hop collaborations goes on, Dead Prez, Bumpy Knuckles, Kardinal Offishall, Afu Ra, ra ra…!
Fast forward many moons (and features) later, Jahdan has made a name for himself as a Brooklyn ambassador known overlapping circuits that stretch worldwide. In 2009 Jahdan collaborated with Major Lazer on a song called “Cash Flow” over ML’s “Say It Aint The T-3 Riddim”. While Diplo was looking for the right Jamaican artist to voice the “T-3” riddim (several had voiced it already) the moment he heard Jahdan’s “Cash Flow” on it, that was it, the tune made the album.
2009 saw Jahdan’s first solo release, an experimental dubsteppish LP with Dutty Artz called “Buzzrock Warrior” with the massive tune, “The General” as its lead single. Now, in preparation for the Babylon Nightmare LP, Andrew “Moon” Bain, the head producer behind Lustre Kings, who also put out Jahdan’s group, Noble Society‘s LP, “Take Charge” (Itunes Best Reggae Album of 2008) put this mixtape together to get out to the blogosphere but with an exclusive premier here on Largeup.com!
Lustre Kings are an American based Culture Reggae label that helped develop artists like Jah Mason, Turbulence and Lutan Fyah early in their careers, while also voicing heavyweights of the era like Sizzla, Luciano, Capleton and the like. From that point Lustre Kings became the first label to join artists from Yard with artists from Trinidad like Marlon Asher and Kharri Kill, and Virgin Islands artists Midnite, Pressure, Niyorah and NY and Cali based artists like Jahdan and Rankin’ Scroo on the same riddims. Jahdan has remained a staple on the Lustre Kings roster since around ’03, and you’ll hear samples of “Babylon Nightmare” on this mixtape, enough to get excited about it.
This weekend Mr. Blakkamoore returns to the West Coast to perform ‘longside Barrington Levy, Gregory Isaacs, Marcia Griffiths, Alborosie, The Skatalites and many more at what looks like the Reggae Fest of the Summer, The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival.