Micah Shemaiah uplifts Jamaica
LIKE many of the Twelve Tribes of Israel artistes he grew up listening to, Micah Shemaiah has been under the radar for most of his 20-year career. His latest album, Jamaica Jamaica, had no great fanfare when it was launched recently.
It is the roots singer’s fifth set and his first since Still, which was released two years ago.
Jamaica Jamaica is a joint production by We Generation Music and Evidence Music out of Switzerland.
“This album is geared towards uplifting and enlightening the young people of our world, especially di yutes in the streets of Jamaica,” said Micah Shemaiah.
Some of the songs from Jamaica Jamaica, including the title, are scathing commentaries on high levels of crime and poverty in the country. Micah Shemaiah, 42, believes this is a result of the negatives being fed by corporate and political leaders.
“It should be very troubling to everyone, but even moreso that we maintain a global culture of sex, guns, and drugs as our biggest selling and most promoted. That’s where we end up in a mad cycle,” he said.
Based in Geneva, Evidence Music has helped expose several roots-reggae acts since it was established in 2013. They include Runkus, Chezidek, Bugle, and Trinidadian singer Queen Omega.
On songs like Run Things and Why You Killing Dem So, Micah Shemaiah maintains the social awareness that has been a hallmark of his music. That consistency has earned him a number of tours in Europe, which is his strongest market.
Because of his parents’ ties to the Twelve Tribes movement, Micah Shemaiah appreciated groups associated with that organisation, such as Still Cool and Visionaires. Although they produced what many considered outstanding songs, their music rarely moved outside the underground.
Making the charts is not a concern for Micah Shemaiah.
“When making an album I don’t think about hits when making the songs, but when people listen and tell you the song is bad, naturally you think about hitting. That’s when the bandage you put around your head for it not to swell does its job,” he said.
Born Micah Shemaiah Abraham, he attended Jamaica College and Excelsior High School. Football was his first passion, but injuries ended ambitions of playing professionally; he then went into music full-time.
Shalak, Micah Shemaiah’s first album, was released in 2015. Original Dread and Roots I Vision are his other albums.