Abijah & Dub Station
Abijah Biography
(total revision, 1/3/06)
Abijah…ready to cross over
Jumpstarting his career after the turn of the millennium, ABIJAH’s song “Revelation” debuted at No. 6 – and hit #1 – remaining on the charts for 30 weeks. The song, as with all of ABIJAH’s conscious repertoire, includes thought-provoking lyrics like “money is not the problem, it’s the greed and selfishness.” In an unusual pairing on tour with Elephant Man recently, the audience went wild for ABIJAH, although they were primarily a dancehall crowd. He appeals to “both sides of the Reggae aisle.”
Bridging gaps is nothing foreign to ABIJAH, who’s been dubbed “The Ambassador of Peace.” As part of the “Healing the Nation” program in Jamaica, he visited and performed at over 50 schools, teaching the next generation about One Love: the too often forgotten – but essential core – of Reggae music. Incidentally, and perhaps a logical extension of his spiritual, public works, ABIJAH is a biblical name meaning “my father is Jahovah.”
Known and respected internationally, ABIJAH’s spoken at Harvard University in the United States and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. ABIJAH’s been embraced by various native tribes, having performed at Hopiland in Arizona; and upstate New York, at the Onondaga Lake Peace Festival (where he also presented at a nearby correctional facility). In addition to many other American tour dates, festival appearances have included San Francisco’s Reggae in the Park, and the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival.
Touring Europe in support of his VP Records release, ABIJAH appeared at festivals in seven countries, including Summer Jam (Germany), Rototom (Italy), Jamaica Sunrise (France), and Uzona (Spain). In Japan, ABIJAH’s been featured on the well-known DJ Krush’s latest CD, which went Platinum. Back in North America, ABIJAH’s graced the Montreal International Reggae Festival (Canada). In Jamaica, ABIJAH’s no less popular, having been on the renowned Reggae Sumfest, as well as Rebel Salute, and the East Fest.
In celebration of what would have been Bob Marley’s 60th Birthday ABIJAH performed with an all-star lineup February 6, 2005 on a nationally televised concert promoting peace. Last year ABIJAH hit the international charts again with his revoicing of Bob Marley’s “Sun is Shining.” Indeed, ABIJAH shares an uncanny vocal tone, even a resemblance to Bob, with whom he is closely related. ABIJAH grew up amongst some veritable greats, including his father, who was a founding drummer with The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari.
ABIJAH blends well with different talent, he’s a team player. He’s worked well with a variety of backing bands, including Dub Station (annually, since 2003), with whom he’s currently touring. Superstar Beenieman is featured on a “Revelation” remix. ABIJAH’s done a video with female roots artist Zema – a remake of The Supremes’ “Stoned Love.” And R&B star Tevin Campbell voiced a rousing duet “Overcome” with ABIJAH, which also has a video, airing currently in Jamaica.
...Next Steps
The coming year is a key stepping stone for ABIJAH, who’s getting ready to release his next CD. He’s voiced a host of singles on variety of labels, and is currently developing a proprietary repertoire at his own direction, as part of the Peppa3 production team. Abijah’s got a number of songs produced by Fattis Burell, of the Exterminator label, who was instrumental in both Sizzla and Luciano’s meteoric rise to fame.
In collaboration with management consultant Kyle Russell of KRucial Reggae, ABIJAH will be finalizing production in the studio; delivering new music perhaps in succession, as singles (to Jamaican and international radio); filming new video(s); and conducting tours and appearances in support of his new releases.
One of the most exciting prospects under exploration right now is future team-ups with some of today’s bigger names in R&B and Reggae. A coherent, consistent program of outreach to Jamaican and international media has begun. But most important will be the cultivation ABIJAH’s image as Ambassador of Peace, developing his musical talent as a thinking artist along with his electrifying stage show, which reveals a force that also knows a good time and is ready to step up as one of the new century’s great new Reggae legends: ABIJAH!
