Djama Keïta (Makeïta)

Djama Keïta (Makeïta)
Singer, Musician
Principal country concerned : Column : Music


Djama Keita is a Reggae artist whose ingenious rhythms are combined with punchy lyrics in French, Creole, and English. With his powerful voice he wows the audience on instrumental Roots, as well as in Reggae and Dancehall.
 

Born in Fort de France in 1978, his father was a poet, writer and artisan jeweller, and his mother a theatre performer and professor of creative arts. Djama Keita's family immersed him in arts and culture from a very early age. A young initiate of the drum, Djama graduated to the piano, and composed his first songs there. His musical style ranged from the African tradition to modern refrains via the rhythms and melodies of Martinique and the Caribbean.
 

He went on to found a group called Kalence Boys with Kulu Ganja and Orijinal Sly; two artists from Martinique. With them, he came to the public's notice performing Patrick Saint-Eloi's hit song «Darling» on a programme about Kassav. Dominating the occasion with his pure and vibrant voice, opportunities opened for Djama to make contacts within the Caribbean and international music scenes. During a stay in the US in 1996, Djama Keita became involved in the Redzone collaboration with Laurent LEDUC and Hibiscus Records. The Redzone album «Bad Boy Story» saw the light of day a year later. It offered a range of Reggae, Dancehall and Hip Hop tracks and is a breath of fresh air in the world of Caribbean music.
 

A second album "Total Eclipse" came out the following year, Djama's mastery in the unification of sound and song brought various other promising artists on board such as: Yanis Odua, Maj Traffik, Lyricson, Saya Queen Levi Culture, Liberty King; creating a landmark Caribbean and international compilation. The production is now known as West Indies Records.
 

Arriving in France a few years later, Djama was able to build upon his richly creative experience in Martinique and made his first appearance on the sound system and Hip-Hop scenes, where he met Baby G and FDY.
 

During this period Djama took part in the FDY album phenomenon on Delabel Productions entitled «Ça d'vait arriver» on which he laid down two tracks: «J'gagne tant que j'respire» with Lino d'Arsenik and «Dead Zone». A Sector A production dating from 2002.


Since returning to Martinique Djama Keita continues to refine his style and lyrics in harmony with the natural elements. He has participated in numerous compilations and performances, such as the 2008 concert with Jamaican artist Luciano in St. Lucia.
 

His following release was the street-album «Volcanik Activity». 20 tracks of good vibes and rich lyrics on varied themes: tributes to nature, women, or youth in the ghetto. Featuring several guest artists such as Suga Moss, Lieutenant or Lotsy and a powerful progression from reggae through hip-hop to the most explosive dancehall.


In the same vein, the Royal Warrior Musik productions were released: By My Side in 2013 and R Road in 2014, reconfirming Djama Keita's talents (Love Mama Hearth).
 

In developing the mixtape R Road, Djama again presented his audience with a new concept.

He attaches great importance to expressing emotion vocally and sharing good vibrations; and this is also the route the new album Guidance follows (Prod'Action / EIA Productions), embracing world music to communicate his messages more widely.
 

In a daring move on the 12 new tracks Djama Keita transitions away from Dancehall towards the musical influences of his youth (Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Calypso, Reggae).


On Guidance we can hear the African rhythms and instruments beloved of Rastafari in the acoustic New Roots opening and closing tracks (An Silans, Viv Love Adan). Lévé Le Matin is tinged with Caribbean jazz, while tracks Guidance and Free Up sound more reggae, with a discernibly international dimension.
 

The artist allows himself to go «lovers» in Know My Way and For You, demonstrating the extent of his singing talent. Lyricson (Seek Jah Love) and Mystical Heights (Time Serious) feature, supporting their brother on this different path. He wants to effectively tame the Wild West (Quitter ce Far West), which embodies originality.
 

Free Up resonates as a theme for the album. The variety of instruments and rhythms audibly contrast with the direction of the genre over the last 5 years.
 

Incorporating neither aggressiveness nor «Lava», instead the new concept is based on experience, on discovering the intimate musical universe of Djama Keita. Theharmonic sounds of Guidance will be available on legal download platforms and in physical format from April, 29 2016.



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