Kabaka Pyramid is a Grammy Award Winning conscious revolutionary lyricist with a signature musical style; blending the power, energy and melody of Reggae with the lyricism of Hip hop. The name “Kabaka” is Ugandan for “King” and the long lasting survival of the Pyramids of ancient Africa represent his desire for longevity in the music and deep connection to Kemetic roots; leaving messages for generations to come.
Kabaka Pyramid Featured Portrait
A key pillar of the Reggae Revival movement, Kabaka Pyramid carved his way into the Jamaican reggae scene with Rebel Music in 2011 with marquee songs like “Free From Chains” and “Warrior” featuring Protoje. His hip hop roots were evident in the lyrical style and hard hitting beats, laying the foundation for an ever ascending career highlighted by the classic marquee sophmore album “The Kalling” produced by role model Damian “Jr Gong” Marley.
This chart topping artist has developed a solid global fan-base that connects deeply with the messages in his music, touring extensively over the past 10 years to the largest of Reggae stages around the world and headlining numerous 20+ multi-city club tours and some the greatest reggae festivals worldwide. Kabaka is well known for delivering an electrifying and entertaining live performance with his band “The Bebble Rockers”.
The Kingston native, born Keron Salmon, spent many of his early years developing his sound as a part of Bebble Team, a talented group of friends and schoolmates that would be the foundation of his independent label Bebble Rock. Rebel Music was the fruit of this preparation and Kabaka’s career as a reggae artist was born. After touring europe in 2012, prominent producers would take an interest and staple songs “No Capitalist” and “Never Gonna be A Slave” as well as hit songs “Mi Alright” featuring Chronixx Chronixx and ‘Well Done’ produced by Damian Marley would follow in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The Billboard charting “Lead The Way EP” in 2013 would cement Kabaka in the international Reggae landscape as well as the career defining “Well Done” produced by Damian Marley in 2015.
The “Accurate” mixtape by Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire would see Kabaka collaborate with Raekwon on Be Inspired, and classic Kabaka vs Pyramid would be become a hallmark for true Kabaka fans.
After touring with Damian Marley in the US in 2017, Kabaka would team up with the son of Bob Marley for his debut album Kontraband, debuting number 3 in the reggae Billboard chart and number one in several countries on iTunes. Hit song “Reggae Music” became Kabaka’s first song to pass 10 million views on youtube with many other records from the album having a tremendous impact in the market such as “Can’t Breathe” and “Kontraband”.
During the covid pandemic Kabaka worked tirelessly and released popular singles “Nice Up The Dance and “Believe” as well as the classic “Immaculate Mixtape” with Federation Sound. He also produced his first juggling rhythm “Victory Rock” to great success. All this while working continuously on his second album “The Kalling”. Hit singles “Red Gold and Green” featuring Damian Marley, The “Kalling” featuring Stephen Marley, Protoje and Jesse Royal and “Faded Away” with Buju Banton would see the 2022 LP release dominate iTunes charts in many countries culminating in a Grammy award for reggae album of the year amongst many other album of the year awards on publications such as Reggaeville and Riddim magazine.
Live performances for Rolling Stones, BBC radio 1xtra and Tuff Gong Studios, features in Billboard, The Source, Vogue, Riddim and Reggaeville magazines, winning the Grammy for Best Reggae Album, winning the Caribbean Music Awards for Best Reggae album and also the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association’s Breakthrough artist of the year are some of the highlights of a stellar career.