In 2018, Aza Lineage, an artist who has garnered significant attention in recent years, released
Sound System, a track that surprised and delighted audiences. The song, featuring King Jammy’s iconic 1980s
Far East riddim (probably best known from Cocoa Tea’s
Tune In), was brought to vinyl in 2019 through a partnership between Jammy and Berlin-based BuyReggae.com, who recognized its potential. Aza had composed the song several years before and, after auditioning for Jammy, was able to record it. The song is a powerful testament to the soundsystem’s cultural significance, celebrating its history and its community impact. Aza’s vocals, delivered with sincerity and conviction, and a real understanding of its roots, seamlessly merge with the riddim, amplifying the song’s message.
Impressed by her talent, King Jammy enlisted Aza Lineage to record the song Real Love for Dennis Brown’s Tracks Of Life album, and a collaborative album between them is slated for imminent release. Aza’s musical journey began within her cousins’ soundsystem, where she honed her deejaying skills by toasting over classic Studio One riddims—a formative experience she recalls with the adage, If you can’t ride Studio One riddims, don’t bother anymore. The 2017 album Havana Meets Kingston, featuring her personal narrative in In The Ghetto, marked a significant step. Her collaborations with Natty Megs of More Life Productions, like the Kingston To Cali EP, and subsequent work with Jammy, Sunny Side Records, and Global Beat Records, to name but a few, have solidified her growing prominence.
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