Before we bid farewell to 2014, I had to compile this list of 10 of my favorite moments & inspirations of the year. These are in no particular order and BIGGUPS to everybody I interacted with this year, was a fun time!! Looking forward to more of the experiences in 2015…See you next year!!
1. THE RETURN OF BABY LUVS REGGAE
Baby Luvs Reggae is the all ages Reggae dance party I started out in eastern WA at The Community Culural Center in Tonasket. The party ran for 3 sessions in that area from 2011 until 2012 and after a 2 year hiatus, the party returned this past September in a new Seattle location at Maxim’s in Rainier Valley. On a Sunday afternoon, many youngsters & their parents were treated to great Reggae grooves supplied by DJs Doctamon & Matsui plus live music by Digital Lion Reggae band and live toasters Selassie I Soldier & myself. What also made this event extra special was that my dad was passing thru Seattle and got to come and see me perform for the very first time! YEAH! A great time was had by all..for more info on the upcoming 2015 edition, please join the BABY LUVS REGGAE Group on Facebook. Here’s the link… BABY LUVS REGGAE GROUP
2. MAKING FIRST VISIT TO CAPTAIN COOK, BIG ISLAND- HAWAII
For years I’d heard about the irie aloha vibes that were present in the 808 state but it wasn’t until this past summer that I got to take in those vibes first hand. In July, a great opportunity came up for me to care take a coffee farm for 2 weeks in Captain Cook on the Big Island. Was a great experience to take in the unique easy going vibes of the island, making some new friends, musical connections and even give a special guest performance inna Reggae/Hip Hop showcase in Kona. WIKKID.. Can’t wait to return!!! Biggups to Sahara Indio, FyahRedbeard & Benjah.. MAHALO!!
Check me performing BIG BELLY MAN at Blazing Highgrade Reggae/Hip Hop showcase in Kona:
3. RETURNING TO PERFORM IN NON STOP BHANGRA 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
From 2008- 2011 I was part of the monthly NON STOP BHANGRA event in San Francisco. Every month I would travel down to bring the Reggae vocal element to the collective which consisted of Bhangra/Punjabi riddims supplied by DJ Jimmy Love, Traditional Punjabi dancers Dholrythms, Dhol drummer Rav-E, Desi Hip Hop MC Mandeep Sethi, Punjabi singer Hina & special guest djs. A true cultural mashup experience!! The last time I performed at the event was in 2012 and after 2 years, I returned this past September to be part of the 10 year anniversary of the night. The color theme of the night was Black & Gold, so all the crew looked and sounded on point. And it was just good to reconnect with the posse longside guest Djs Santero & Scorpio and champion Dhol player & Punjabi singer Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti. Actually it felt like we had still been performing together all the time and hadn’t missed a beat..BIGGUP NSB and I hope to be jamming with you all again in 2015..Balle! Balle!
4. MY MOST INSPIRING MUSICAL ARTIST OF 2014: GULLY BOP
This one was kinda tuff, I had a few musical inspirations this year. LENNY KRAVITZ with his Grit & Glamour Rock and Roll release “Strut” was a big inspiration and VYBZ KARTEL’s witty, versatile flow that dominated Jamaican dancehall for most of the year was also a inspiration. But the biggest inspiration came for me near the end of the year from Jamaica’s new top entertainer – GULLY BOP. For those unfamiliar with his story, he was a down on his luck past performer who was filmed dropping sum freestyle lyrics by a young kid. The kid uploaded the video to Youtube and the video went viral. And in a matter of weeks, Gully Bop was a in demand recording and performing artiste. He even landed the gig of headlining Magnum Sting, one of Jamaica’s largest musical events. A true rags to riches story. And that’s the source of inspiration for me, not just his music but the story- Never give up, just because you don’t make it today doesn’t mean you won’t make it tomorrow. Or as Gully Bop would say, “When it nuh dead, nuh dash it wey”
5. FAVORITE HIP HOP SONG OF 2014: “LOVE DON’T LIVE HERE NO MORE” by GHOSTFACE KILLAH
I’m the first to admit that I’m missing the vibes of Old Skool Hip Hop. I miss the gritty crackling beats and the streetwise story telling that is just absent in the current day form of the genre. To me, it’s almost like another form of music. And just when I had given up on the genre for this year, none other than GHOSTFACE KILLAH of Wu-Tang dropped the most felt Hip Hop tune for me inna looooong time. GFK laces this soulful track with deep storyline accommpianed by a beautifully executed hook sung by Kandace Springs. Top a top Hip Hop vibes..from his album that dropped earlier this month- 36 Seasons. Check it>>>
6. FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER OF 2014: PAMELA EATON-FORD PHOTOGRAPHY
Part of being successful in the music industry is having a good visual image. And while selfies and good photo phone apps can make you look cool and interesting, sometimes you need the work of a professional photographer to make your pics really stand out. This year I was blessed to have local Seattle photographer Pamela Eaton-Ford onboard to take many of my performance pics and promo shots. She actually took a lot of the pics I use here in this blog. She photographs many local musicians as well as nature shots too. Currently, her hummingbird pics are starting to gain a lot of attention for her. You can check out more of her works via her Facebook page at: PEF PHOTOGRAPHY Many thanx for all your support and Happy New Year Pam!!
7. BEST REGGAE SHOW SEEN IN 2014: COCOA TEA
Back in August, the First Annual Seattle International Reggae Festival took place at Kings Hall. Several Jamaican veteran artists such as: RANKING JOE, SISTER CAROL, DAWN PENN, MYKAL ROSE, COCOA TEA & more performed longside many local Seattle favorites. (Mista Chatman included) It was during this festival where Cocoa Tea put on the best Reggae performance I’d seen all year, perhaps the best I’ve ever seen in Seattle period. Now, don’t get me wrong, all the performances that day were excellent, it’s just that Cocoa Tea took it to another place and the crowd was loving it!! Was my first time seeing him and awesome to hear all his classics live & direct. Was a WIKKID stageshow..Biggupp yuh self Mr Tea!!
Watch Cocoa Tea performing “Stand Up Straight” in Seattle:
8. MY FAVORITE REGGAE/FUSION SONG OF 2014: “WAITING” by
MISTA CHATMAN ft SISTAH LUV
Okay, okay this is a shameless plug! LOL! But really also my favorite Reggae Fusion tune of the year. Nuff Respects to SISTAH LUV for being on the track and giving a glowing performance! Reggae meets R&B..Perfect blend..Watch out for more fusions coming 2o15…
9. MY TOP FANS OF 2014: CHATKIDS
Biggups to Wes, Jazmine & Makayla!! These 3 were definitely my biggest fans of 2014. I met them during my performance in this year’s Conscious Culture Festival in Tonasket this summer. Every time I touched the stage to perform or host, they were always there to cheer me on and show nuff support. We still keep in contact to this day and they always asking when I got new music coming.. So, just wanna say Thanks for the support and Happy New Years to the “CHATKIDS” and new music is coming soon!!!
10. MY FAVORITE SONG OF 2014: “LOVE NEVER FELT SO GOOD” by
MICHAEL JACKSON
Musically for me this year, what was better than a re-issued 80’s era Michael Jackson track? NOTHING! That’s why this was my #1 song of the year. Definitely my “feel good” song to turn on whenever I was feeling down at all. MJ’s voice sounds so clear and has the vibe of the era it was recorded in. It was the first single from his Xscape album released this summer and comes in 3 mixes, The single, original and remix w/Justin Timberlake…BIG TUNE!!! Thanx MJ (RIP)
#CHATLIFE 
