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Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Label: Ras Youths International Recordings, STARSTREET PRODUCTIONS
Management: Lion's Gate Artist Mgmt. (305) 975-1818 Attn:Rootsman Kelly
Website: www.RasMikey.com
Sounds Like: Lutan Fyah, Midnite, Kabaka Pyramid, Pressure Buss Pipe, Jahdan Blakkamoore
Genre: Reggae
RAS MIKEY, the International Reggae Recording artist from Hawaii is rollin out with his full-length debut solo release, Heart of Love. Hitting the streets and internet Summer 2012 on the RYI Recordings label, this Modern Roots album presents another side of the Reggae music coming out of Hawaii currently being exposed to the World. With his brand of original singjay style and delivery, songwriting, and performing, his Rastafari inspired message music is sure to “shake dem up” for 2012.
He got his first start in Reggae music in the mid 90s as leader of ISOULJAHS Band in California and developed his style and skills recording 2 albums, various singles, and performing live with the band for several years. His first single as a solo artist was a 7”in record, “Wadada” by I-Key & Natty Roots on the JR Label (Junior Reid) out of Jamaica in 2004. Moving to Hawaii in 2005, he began performing with various backing bands, DJs, sound systems, and the new line-up of ISOULJAHS. In 2011 he released a single, “Keep the Faith” on the Rumble Rock Recordz label (Phil, PA). Soon afterward, a longtime bredrin, Rootsman Kelly, took on the role of full time manager to help forward his works. With new management, the new album, and current support, now is the time to forward his solo career in the music industry.
The worldwide growth of Reggae music has some of its top-selling artists now spanning the globe. With this, there is a resurgence in appreciation for real conscious Roots & Culture Reggae by those who seek it. Here Ras Mikey fires his own blend of lyrical chant over Roots and Dancehall riddims, Hip Hop beats and Nyahbinghi drumming to deliver Modern Urban Roots Reggae for today. With a Heart of Love, he chants thanks and praises unto JAH, blazes fiyah against the Babylon Vampiahs and shakes the foundations with Nyahbinghi drum sounds, while also rightfully stating – “Dis ya I Man Time”! Bringing back some good vibes inna the Dance with Pressure Buss Pipe on “Dance Nice Again” on the Indo Riddim (Jah Youth Prod/ Goldheart Records), this tune is sure to be a hit at every party, festival, and dance this Summer. Other guest artists and Players of Instruments on the album include Mykal Rose, Sharon Forester, Pablove Black, Sidney Mills, Wayne “C-Sharp” Clark (Steel Pulse), and more. The album was produced by Ras Mikey & Rootsman Kelly with the majority of the album recorded and mixed at Soul Sound Studio in He’eia, Hawaii by Shawn Moseley. Additional production credits include Jah Youth Productions (Hawaii), Jonah Gold (Goldheart Records, Sweden), Quique Cruz (Earthbound Sound, CA), Jimmy Cui (Rumble Rock Recordz), Bereket Teferi (South Africa), and Soulmedic (CA). Tune in your vibrations to the new album – Heart Of Love – Summer 2012 !!!
“...ISOULJAHS ("Hard A Yard") amps up the energy level with edgier rhythms that drive political calls to "emancipate one's self." Rastar continues in similar theme with "Do Mi Wuks" (produced by Ras Mikey/Isouljahs)-- praising Selassie I and calling on the "yout" to go in the right direction.”
John Berger - Honolulu Star Advertiser
“...The combination of the roots style and the dancehall/ ragga style creates a truly refreshing sound...”
Shawn Z - Resolve (E Coast Skate Mag)
“… instead of words of damnation to scare your soul into Heaven, he’s got a message of universal love, peace and unity, riding high atop his dancehall reggae groove.”
Tim Schuler - Honolulu Weekly - Soul Select
“...Playing at practically every Reggae event possible, the ISOULJAHS/Ras Mikey can be dubbed one of Hawaii's most popular entertainers. The combination of Ras Mikey's unique voice, Zacharijah's quality selections. and the collaboration with the other local artists makes this a must have.”
Lacey Matsumoto - The Honolulu Advertiser, From the Hip
“This guy is for real!!! by dubcrew
So cool!!!! I used to play in a band in Newport Beach CA. Jah Mikie(vocals) works in a little smoke/record shop there,and is a super cool guy. This guy is the real thing,roots reggae, natty dread, he's a rocker. I used to love watching them play or listening to them on the UCI radio station. THis album is a treat covering everything from Roots to dancehall beats. But the kicker for me are the vocals and lyrics. Just listen, learn, and be irie!!!!”
dubcrew - iTunes Store Review
“Rooted in the roots Reggae of the 70’s, they chant songs of praise and thanksgiving, playing in a rub-a-dub style that sounds so live you’ll be surprised to read, they were recorded at Kung Fu Hi-Fi in Costa Mesa. Songs from the heart, without artifice.
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Chuck Foster, DJ / Author - The Beat Magazine
“...ISOULJAHS and the RasYouths International crew also helped to get things going. They sound tighter and tighter each time we check for them. The way they fuse Augustus Pablo - style roots reggae with dancehall and rap is so wicked.
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Eric Kohler/ Ireno Rodriguez - Reggae Nucleus Magazine
“Throughout, the lyrics reveal an overstanding and embracing of Rasta ideology which translates into song with intoxicating results. Truly a CD fit for royalty, file this one under “King’s Music.””
Allie I ( RAW #505 ) - Reggae Music Review
“Musically, ISOULJAHS runs along the Marley, Bunny Wailer, Buju Banton vein. Many songs have an introspective quality, praising Jah, warning against the evils of Babylon, and hail the saving grace of Zion. Other songs are brighter, faster, and celebratory, inviting the listener to skank away.”
Katie Whitman - The 808 Scene Zine
“...ISOUJAHS‘ multi-cultural vibe was evident as they played songs of love, faith, and hope in RasTafari…ISOULJAHS have come to take the world by storm with their righteous artillery of rhyme and reason… Check them out live…”
Roberto Angotti/ Carlos Culture - Mean Street Magazine, (Reggae Runnings)
"Isouljahs, were able to liven the grooves up with the great lyrical and a solid musicianship rivaling many more mainstream reggae bands."
Wes Woods II - The Daily Forty-Niner, Cal State Long Beach, CA
