Kabaka Pyramid celebrates ‘Rebel Music’ project

Grammy Award-winning reggae artiste Kabaka Pyramid is set to release Rebel Music – The Lyrics Tape on August 28. The 10-track project commemorates the 15th anniversary of his breakthrough Rebel Music EP, bringing Kabaka full circle with the original fan base that embraced his music while celebrating the lyricism, consciousness and cultural purpose that have remained at the core of his artistry. That foundation would ultimately help propel Kabaka from Jamaica’s emerging reggae movement to international stages and, eventually, Grammy recognition with The Kalling.

Rather than recreating a moment from the past, Rebel Music – The Lyrics Tape builds upon the foundation that helped introduce Kabaka Pyramid as one of a new generation of voices in Jamaican music. Fifteen years later, the project reflects the growth of an artiste who has taken that foundation to stages around the world without abandoning the message, lyrical depth or musical influences that first distinguished his work.

Three tracks from the project, Rotation, From Weh Day and We Dem Wah, offer different perspectives on that musical journey, moving between reggae, dancehall and hip-hop while remaining firmly rooted in Jamaican sound system culture.

Rotation is a vibrant rub-a-dub anthem celebrating reggae culture and the communal energy of a reggae session. Driven by a heavy bass line and Kabaka’s signature lyrical delivery, the song is also a call to deejays, selectors and sound systems around the world to keep reggae in rotation and recognise the music’s enduring ability to heal, uplift and unite.

“There is so much going on in the world, and I really believe, if we played more reggae, we would be better off,” Kabaka Pyramid said. “Reggae has a healing nature. The music has always been able to uplift people, bring people together, and give us something positive to hold on to. Rotation is really about keeping that energy and the music circulating.”

On From Weh Day, Kabaka turns his attention to reggae’s legacy and its future. Produced by Fatbabs and co-produced by Kabaka Pyramid, the drum-driven, bass-heavy track incorporates hip-hop-inspired rhythms with Kabaka’s distinctive lyrical approach. The song challenges the music community to invest in reggae’s next generation while calling for greater balance between reggae and dancehall within Jamaica’s musical landscape.

Kabaka shifts gears on We Dem Wah, a tribute to the golden era of 1990s dancehall and hip-hop. Drawing inspiration from influential Jamaican artistes including Super Cat and Ninjaman, the track channels the attitude and energy of the era through a contemporary lens. Built around a reimagining of one of dancehall’s most recognisable bass lines, the track, which is produced by Jazzwad, blends classic Jamaican sound system energy with Kabaka’s commanding delivery and lyrical dexterity.

The record celebrates the confidence, culture and competitive spirit that have long been part of dancehall, revealing a more playful side of Kabaka’s artistry while paying homage to the musical foundations that helped shape him.

Together, the three releases illustrate the broader vision behind Rebel Music – The Lyrics Tape, honouring the sounds and principles that helped establish Kabaka Pyramid while demonstrating how those influences continue to evolve within his music.

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