IJAHKNOWAH

was born in the Parish of St. Thomas located in the Blue Mountain Region. Ijah comes from a musically talented family. He grew up listening to his favorite artists including Peter Tosh, Joseph Hill (Culture), Burning Spear, Count Ossie, Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Nina Simone, Gill
Scott Heron, and Fela Kuti.

He was further influenced by his native music of Mento and Pokimania. Ijahknowah’s first performance took place at Jamaica’s Agricultural society concert where he performed his own rendition of “Many Rivers to Cross” by Jimmy Cliff. Ijahknowah self identifies with many of Marcus Garvey’s beliefs and is a loyal Panafricanist. Ijah began writing lyrics between the late 70’s and early 80’s. He then migrated to Chicago in the United States and became the renown lead singer for ‘Equal Rights Band’. For some short time after in 1988, he founded ‘Natural Force Band’.

Ijahknowah moved to Atlanta in 1989 to produce his first recorded single “Down in Jamaica”, followed by “Free your mind”, and “This is the day”, a collaboration with Messenger Selah and Ras Ijel. In 2012 he recorded an album with legendary Dennis (Jah D Fearon). In 2013 he formed ‘Ijahknowah and BRAP’. He performed at The Health and Wellness music Festival, Bob Marley Tribute, Black Power Award, and Conscious
Reggae Concert Series.

Ijah’s songs promote healing, uplifting of self, education, and
empowerment of African people all across the globe.