Google Artist of the Week: Jahdan Blakkamoore

Each week, Magnifier selects an Antenna Google Artist of the Week. These are our favorite artists, and are handpicked by our team of music experts. All the music on Magnifier can be added to your Music Beta library for free.

For myriad reasons -- a dearth of production talent, canceled tour visas, an oppressive, crime-ridden environment -- Jamaican music has become stagnant and the world has looked elsewhere for inspiring reggae artists. Jahdan Blakkamoore tramples over mediocre music like a lion charging through the savanna. Riding atop reggae, dubstep, hip-hop and eclectic electronic tracks, the Guyana-born, Brooklyn-raised singer deals out sharp, mentally stimulating verses with a spring-loaded vocal delivery that resonates long after the song has ended. He’s earned respect touring with New York group Noble Society, collaborating with hip-hop stalwarts Boot Camp Clik and Dead Prez, and recording potent reggae with singles for the Lustre Kings and I-Grade Records. Those achievements were a prelude to even larger leaps forward.

"All Comes Back To One - Bobo's remix" Jahdan Blakkamore

"All Over The World" Jahdan Blakkamore

2009’s Dutty Artz crew-produced debut album Buzzrock Warrior, a cameo on Major Lazer’s tune “Cash Flow” and the winning new full-length Babylon Nightmare have cemented Blakkamoore’s position as a talent poised to recharge urban music. Lyrics on the brilliantly bass-driven dubstep song “The General” from Buzzrock crystallize his M.O. succinctly: “Here I am now/I’m going to stand my ground/I’ve come to take what’s mine/Ain’t no backing down.”

He also weaves a poignant message through “All Comes Back To One,” produced by the Lustre Kings’ Andrew “Moon” Bain. Blakkamoore references Sir Walter Scott’s famous “Oh what a tangled web we weave” quote to emphasize that no matter how complex the human experience is, our similarities outweigh our differences and, he sings, “we’re all just one heart.” While the original tune is an acoustic guitar-laden hip-hop number, Magnifier is featuring producer Bobo’s rootsy one-drop reggae remix, which is enriched by a full horn section and bubbling keyboards.

Contrastingly, the crisp, mid-tempo hip-hop beats and soothing synth elements on “All Over The World,” lifted from Babylon Nightmare, fall somewhere between Massive Attack’s moody grooves and John Legend’s soulful material, with reggae vocals at the forefront. Blakkamoore forthrightly sings, “I love to see poor people shine” -- a statement that could come off trite but instead rings authentic. That’s Blakkamoore magic: he’s a natural at delivering wise sentiments via snappy hooks and world-embracing reggae-based compositions.

Recently sighted in Jamaica recording new material, it won’t be long before Jahdan Blakkamoore takes another leap. Add these two songs to your Music Beta collection and hear why. -- Tomas A. Palermo

"All Comes Back To One - Bobo's remix" Jahdan Blakkamore

"All Over The World" Jahdan Blakkamore