Kabaka’s Grammy comes ‘Kalling’

The Kalling, a 15-track album by singjay Kabaka Pyramid, won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Released via Bebble Rock Music/Ghetto Youths International on September 30, it was largely produced by Damian “Jr Gong” Marley. Seven of the tracks are co-produced by Sean “Young Pow” Diederick.

The Kalling peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart in October last year. It contains collaborations with Buju Banton, Jemere Morgan, Tifa, Protoje and Jesse Royal.

During his acceptance speech Kabaka Pyramid thanked his parents, fellow nominees, and members of his management team.

“Mi caan believe it. Rastafari live! Just want to say thank you to the Academy [NARAS], thank you to all the other nominees who represent Jamaica, who represent the Caribbean. Thank you to everybody supporting reggae music, conscious music. Much love to Damian Marley who produced the album. Stephen Marley, this one is for Jo Mersa Marley who we lost in December and Taiwo McKenzie,” said Kabaka.

The other nominees in the Best Reggae Album category were Scorcha by Sean Paul, Com Fly Wid Mi by Shaggy, Third Time’s The Charm by Protoje and Gifted by Koffee.

Signed to Bebble Rock Music, Kabaka Pyramid’s given name is Keron Salmon. A former student of Campion College in St Andrew, he holds degree in electronics and computer technology from Orlando’s Devry University.

The Kalling is the second album by Kabaka Pyramid, one of the leaders of the roots-reggae revival that emerged in Jamaica 10 years ago. His first, Kontraband, was released in 2018. That set was also largely produced by Marley who has helped guide the career of Kabaka Pyramid who has toured the United States with the Marleys and American band Rebelution.

His other songs including Warrior, Well Done, and Can’t Breathe.