Kenyatta Hill

‘Jr Culture’

Hailing from Kingston,Jamaica, Kenyatta ‘Jr Culture’ Hill’s career as a singer began the day his father’s ended. Joseph Hill, singer and songwriter of the legendary Jamaican vocal trio Culture, passed away in 2006 while on tour in Europe. Left without a lead singer, Kenyatta – then the band’s sound engineer – stepped from behind the mixing board and onstage to deliver 19 electrifying performances until the completion of the tour.Fans, promoters, and critics all agreed: a rising star manifested and the legacy of Culture would live on.

Influenced by elements of dancehall, grounded in the roots tradition, and motivated to carry on his father’s work, Kenyatta set out to finish songs that Joseph had started and create new music of his own. On his poignant debut album “Pass The Torch” ,(Tafari Records) he was backed by a masterful roster of musicians including Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. His first single, “Daddy,” explored the emotional pain and uncertainty that he felt after the loss of his father. The album received public and critical acclaim.

Following his debut, Kenyatta embarked on a successful U.S. tour with Beres Hammond and released a celebrated tribute album in 2011, “Live On: A Tribute To Culture”. He continued to tour extensively across the globe, honing his craft as a solo artist and keeping the legacy of Culture alive for reggae lovers everywhere.

He returned to the studio older and wiser, ready to share a more complete picture of Kenyatta Hill: the artist, the man. His third album, Riddim Of Life (Honest Music), features members of the famed Roots Radics band, Culture backing band, and Thievery Corporation’s reggae outfit The Archives. The anthemic first single and video “Afrikan” highlights the voice “commented on in countless articles and reviews as being a carbon copy of his father’s [which] melts on the instrumentals like bittersweet chocolate ,” writes Gardy Stein-Kanjora of Reggaeville. “The lyrics stretch beyond purely philosophical matters to very private affairs [without] leaving Rasta-Grounds.”

2016 Kenyatta Hill, joined forces with Akae Beka (Vaughn Benjamin of Midnite and Puma Ptah ( formerly Ras Puma – Thievery Corporation) to remake the classic underground tune by Culture “Police Man”, A song too familiar with the current climate and tensions between the people and those in authority and one of his best selling singles to date.

2017 marks the 40th anniversary of Culture classic album “Two Sevens Clash”, A world tour with original members of the group as well as solo performances are in the works now. “Lend not only your ear,” Kenyatta conveys, “but also your heart and mind.”