Back in November, at 53 years old, I was shocked and surprised to find out I had something wrong with my heart called full heart block. I’ve always been healthy, working out almost every day, walking the dogs (Nesta and Cedella) every day, and eating healthy. So, this was a complete shock. I went to the ER on a Monday and on Tuesday at 9 am, I was in surgery getting a pacemaker. Why am I telling you this in a concert review? This was the first concert I went to and photographed since that happened to me. I had some opportunities to do others in the past couple of months, but anxiety and apprehension held me back. All week I was excited about seeing Kabaka, one of my favorite reggae artists and one of the best to see and photograph live. But as we got closer to Thursday, the anxiety was getting worse, this pacemaker situation has me thrown a little and I have been finding it hard getting myself to travel to and go to concerts.  But this was Kabaka Pyramid! I’ve seen and photographed him about 5-6 times, and he always brings it to the stage! I had to go! He puts on such an amazing show, his message of unity, positivity, inity, love, and his conscious revolutionary lyrics with a unique musical style is what I needed. Blending the power, energy, and melody of Reggae with the lyricism of hip-hop, creating a powerful and unique sound sets him apart from others. He is the lyrical deity. 

The show was at Underground Arts in Philadelphia, it is the first time being there, and I loved it.  Really cool smaller venue with very good acoustics. It’s in a basement, but a very cool atmosphere. The show was put on by Delroy Gray’s Whagwaan Culture, a dynamic event promotion and entertainment company. Started in 2005 and founded on the principles of love, unity, and creativity, this was the perfect show for Delroy to put on. “Our mission is to create spaces where people can come together through music, transcending differences and fostering a sense of belonging,” says Delroy. “We believe in the power of music to inspire positive change and build stronger communities.”

The night started off with Atlantic City’s own SensaMotion, bringing their unique reggae/dub sound to the stage. They bring great energy to the stage, and the crowd feeds off that energy. SensaMotion and Kabaka are currently touring with Tribal Seeds and they made a stop in Philly since Tribal Seeds was not making their way there.  SensaMotion sounded great, they are a solid band, and Art Rivell is not only a great singer he is also fantastic on guitar. But the whole band can throw it down.  The crowd was vibing to them and having a great time.  It was a great opening for Kabaka.

It was time for Keron Salmon aka Kabaka Pyramid, but first, we get a sweet musical introduction by The Bebble Rockers, one of the toughest reggae bands out there today. I would put Craig “Grizzlebassy” Higgins, Shackair McQueen, Shane “Fyah Keyz” Stone, and Chris Smith up against almost any band out there today. They just absolutely killed it the entire night, delivering sweet riddims, beats, and magic on stage. Kabaka struts on stage and brings us his 2021 hit “Light It Up.” The crowd cheering and so excited for this show. We hear Pressure Busspipe’s voice come through the speakers, so we know we are getting “Make Way,” Kabaka’s flow is just so tight on this one. He brings us to “Ready Fi Di Road,” getting the crowd waving their arms back and forth, the energy is through the roof from everyone in Underground Arts. Grizzlebassy is so much fun to watch, not only dominating the bass line but dancing and having a great time on stage. “Dem system is a strain and a mess/Me feel it like a pain inna me chest/The people need a rest/I, feel like me cyaan breathe/Inna this yah suffocation/The people living inna sufferation/Me cyaan breathe, me cyaan breathe/When the youths cyaan write and cyaan read,” flowing from Kabaka, they hit us with a great rendition of “Can’t Breathe,” flowing right into “Warrior.” This show is on fire! Kabaka said it was time for a positive upbeat song, so he brings us his and Chronixx’s song “Mi Alright.” Keeping with the upbeat positive vibes, really involving the crowd to join in, “Rock Mi Slow.” 

“Hey, Mr. DJ, play that one again!” Kabaka shouts to the crowd as The Bebble Rockers take us into “Reggae Music.” The crowd and I are so entertained by the band, sounding so perfect all night and keeping everyone rockin’. Keeping up with those same upbeat positive grooves we get “Nice Up the Dance.” Kabaka sounding so nice, and so much energy on stage; dancing, jumping, and grooving all night long. Like he always likes to do, he takes us back to songs, riddims, and artists that influenced him, so it hits us hard with the “Showtime Riddim” and then a little John Holt “Police In Helicopter,” asking the crowd to sing along with him; “Police in helicopter, a search fi marijuana/Policemen in the streets, searching fi collie weed/Soldiers in the field, burnin’ the collie weed.” And that was a perfect transition to “Herb Defender.” He takes us back to Kontraband and brings up “Everywhere I Go,” and an absolutely amazing guitar solo from Shackair McQueen. Wow! When I hear Nathalia coming through the speakers I know we are about to hear “Stand Up.” I love this song and I just kind of stood there with my cameras on the sides feeling this song. This one hit so nicely. This is such a fitting song for the times we are living in. Kabaka slows it down for the crowd and brings us “Believe,” another fitting song for our times, but one I can relate to. He really hit it with the vocals on this one. Peter Tosh has been a huge influence on Kabaka so we all knew we would be getting “Mystic Man.” His lyrical flow was amazing, it’s as if Peter Tosh were there on stage guiding him through this journey. 

It felt as though the night was winding down and he brought us to a song I really wanted to hear, “Grateful.” Another song I love and another one that I had to just listen to and take in.  I love the chorus Jemere Morgan brings, just a sweet positive voice and vibe, but then Kabaka comes in so strong with his lyrical deity flow.  Another WOW moment! It was an emotional moment for me because I know I have a lot to be grateful for. As Kabaka thanks the crowd and The Bebble Rockers walk off stage, the crowd starts chanting for more, as it gets louder they run back on stage for their encore. They start up with “The Revival” and the crowd is so happy for more. Once again he gets the crowd involved with “Trample Dem,” and the energy is still crazy.  “Well Done” is next and it sounded like the entire crowd sang every lyric with Kabaka.  We get his hit produced by Damian Marley “Red Gold and Green.” This one hit so nicely and sounded so good. The band is on point and Kabaka hitting so hard on the lyrics. The night was finished off with “The Kalling,” and was a perfect ending to a perfect night. Keeping Stephen Marley in the background, The Bebble Rockers were rockin’ it and again Kabaka was just so amazing on the mic.

Every time I have seen Kabaka live it has always been a great show, but they were all at festivals on a big stage and big outdoor venue. This, being such an intimate venue, and being right up on the stage, made this a different experience, a close-up experience, and a better experience. You could feel the energy from Kabaka, you could feel the energy from The Bebble Rockers, you could feel the energy from the crowd. You felt the love, power and positivity from Kabaka all night long. It made for a perfect night; a night I am so happy I was part of. 

Todd M Judd