Project Description

‘Amnplify Snapshot’

with RANDY VALENTINE

Havana Meets Kingston Tour

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Havana Meets Kingston

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How would you describe your journey in the music industry so far, and where do you want to go from here with your music?

My journey in music has been spiritually enlightening which provided me with the strength to withstand having a career within the music industry. Which tends to be exhausting at times but also has countless amount of upsides. Traveling for one is a great way to experience life. Meeting people sharing moments and making memories, knowing that it is with our moments that we write our history as a people. Music has given me the opportunity to express my every next experience with a melody. When I was growing up in the country Jamaica/Clarendon I got to experience spirit music, honest music written by writers who travelled and shared their truths in their songs. It’s as if I was peaking at the wider world through their eyes. So I write with hopes that my way of being could inspire another just the same. The sweet ripple effects of life.

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When did you know you wanted to make music, and perform as your career?

Music is something that is embedded in the root of my family, my father was a DJ in Jamaica on the weekends and during the week he was a farmer. Music serves as an escape for I, my family, the community, Jamaica and the whole world in general n my opinion. So before seeing it as a career, I first see it as something that is a part of my being and might as well be seen as something that’s just as important as it is to breathe. To then answer your question, I’ve been singing and making music all my life. It evolved from the Dancehalls to the World Stages and I remain truly grateful.

I started off within the business in 2005 as a local DJ, in clubs London and also as a radio host on SWITCH 106 where i went by the moniker DJ KWES. In 2008, i joined forces with friends Jae5 and Kevin ‘Blemish’ Ababio to form a London-based artist development and production team J.O.A.T. At this point i started to develop and exercise my passion for composing instrumentals of a variety of sounds and styles and even a greater likening for producing for other artists which lead to working with BURNA BOY, STORMZY, JHUS, KONSHENS, FUZE ODG and more.

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Who have been your musical influences or artists you have admired growing up?

This I could talk about all day. Within the wold of music there are so many talented people that it would be impossible to compile such a list that is final. I grew up listening to a variety of sounds Peter Tosh, Tracey Chapman, Otis Redding and sometimes back to back within the same day from Sizzla to Celine Dion. I remember once my father gave me an Album by Lucky Dude the Greatest Reggae Artist from South Africa. I played this album for months upon months until I knew every single track by heart. One of my favourite tracks from that project is called Prisoner It has the sweetest harmonies which helps to conveys his message so well. I’m a great fan of messengers such as Gil Scott Heron, Donny Hathaway, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown and the consistency in their content. You also have talented musicians like John Mayer, my friend Mista Savona my beautiful sister, my whole family and the list goes on.

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Are there any artists or musicians that you have been so impacted by that it changed your view on life or mentality toward music?

I remember once receiving a DVD for my birthday entitled Sam Cooke – Legend. An amazing autobiography about a man and a vision and all the hurdles he had to surpass in order to manifest what we know now as his story. Triumphant in an era where division was the order of every day between black and white people on a large scale in society. He still held his composer and was able to Set up his own Musical stable defending his publishing rights and wanting to set a hub to protect his legacy for the sake of his family. At a time when young black creatives were seen as only entertainers instead of Men Of Business. Now the world and everyone within it will know “Change Is gonna come” as one of the most beautiful songs ever written. The perfect expression for the spirit of times. His legacy stands as a testimony for the togetherness that music can bring.

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How would you describe your sound, and why is it unique from other artist’s sound?

Though life is a shared experience my music still stands as a representation of my own truth. It is my own life’s experience in audio format, this is what makes my music and every other artists music unique. Your life is your own to live. I strive to be present enough to witness the beautiful balance of life, the bright night, the dark light as it all affects how I write. My music is quite passionate and it advocates love, self governance, self confidence, self belief, self awareness and self reliance. I pray that my music will be used as fuel for the merging of cultures and furthering the building of nations that house the most amazing beings underneath the blue.

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What are your goals for 2018 with your music career?

The vision is to continue the evolution of the RVLution. The RVlution is the process of my life in music shared as a movement. I hope to travel more and promote my latest studio project New Narrative that I released in November of Billboard acclaimed. I will be touring this project in West Coast California for a few weeks. I have a list of projects that I’ve collaborated with different producers on. One of my favourites Havana Meets Kingston will be touring in Australia and New Zealand for the month of March. This should be an exciting treat as it will a band of 15 members that will be playing together for the first time ft the Legendary Sly and Robbie. I grew up listening to music produced by these pioneers. It will be a pleasure to share the stage with them. I also started my own Production and Artist Development Label TROOTS MUSIC as I’m keen on making my mark on the industry. With this new opportunity i plan to build a bridge for the nation of builders to come and to leave a lasting legacy that will serve as a lighthouse in the world of music and life itself. My work aims to bring an awareness for self reliance in all areas of life. My inspiration comes from growing up in Jamaica where self reliance from a young age was the norm and the benefits I experience from it no matter how tough, They have imprinted themselves in me forever.

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What performance stands out for you as a highlight, or was the most surreal for you at this point in your career and why?

Every show is special in its own way, from the biggest stages Wireless, Womad to the most private and intimate settings. I’ve shared stages with a few of my favourite artist. I was once on stage with Big youth, Yellow Man, Uroy, backed by Soul syndicate and mixed by Mad Professor, this was at Reggae On The River in California. That is legendary in my eyes. It felt like a torch passing showcase. Also performing in Africa/Gambia for the first time in 2010 will always serve as a lasting memory. As a Jamaican going “home” to Africa is something we strive to accomplish. Taking the spirit home to visit and experience the history its yet to know. The lost narratives that makes room for wider conversations.

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If you weren’t working in the music industry, what else do you think you would be doing with your life right now?

I always saw myself as a councillor, if I wasn’t in the field of music I would’ve been a teacher or a mentor for kids. They are the future an the continuation of our ancestors as we were for the ones before us. Sometimes I do workshops with my friends in London in Prisons and security units. Bringing creative writing to the forefront as a means of communication between inmates. Allowing them to interact by learning how to use Art to share whats on the Heart. I see this as the continuation of the works of my father. I learnt this from him, I watched him use music as a medium for my community while growing up. While the struggles of life were a part of everyday happenings, we also had weekends where music would serve as a glue to make the communities bond even strong. I love bringing people together.

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What’s one song fans might be surprised you really like?

Satisfaction by Ben Benassi what an epic song. I wished I produced that instrumental.

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Lastly, just for fun – if you had to listen to one song on repeat the rest of your life what song and why?

Just for fun, I would listen to Sade BY YOUR SIDE. This to me is the ultimate song. I already have it marked as my wedding track, I’m sure my wife to be will understand. It is timeless, soothing and so beautiful the way she expresses her love for love. I’m a love advocate myself. I LOVE THAT.

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HAVANA MEETS KINGSTON announce full 15-piece band debut international tour

·       Lineup features MISTA SAVONA, SLY & ROBBIE, BARBARITO TORRES & ROLANDO LUNA (Buena Vista Social Club), JULITO PADRON (Irakere), YAROLDY ABREU (Chucho Valdes), BOPEE (Inna de Yard), RANDY VALENTINE, BRENDA NAVARETTE, SOLIS and more.

·       Five performances only – BRISBANEADELAIDESYDNEYMELBOURNENEW PLYMOUTH.  Tix on sale now.

·       HAVANA MEETS KINGSTON (album) reaches #3 on Billboard Reggae Charts + # 10 on Billboard World Music Charts, and reaches #1 on iTunes World Music Charts in Canada, # 2 in USA, and Top 5 in Germany, Switzerland and France on debut.

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TOUR DATES

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THURSDAY 8 MARCH
THE TIVOLI THEATRE QLD
Tickets

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SUNDAY 11 MARCH
WOMADELAIDE SA
Tickets

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WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH
THE ENMORE THEATRE NSW
Tickets

THURSDAY 15 MARCH
THE FORUM VIC
Tickets

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SATURDAY 17 MARCH
WOMAD NZ
Tickets

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Havana Meets Kingston

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AMNPLIFY – DB