From the volcanic island of Montserrat, Shashamane Movement Militant Youth Awareness Entertainment, Inc. presents Ras Ijah Menelik, born on the 29th of October 1971 unto musical parents. Ijahs father Justin Cassell, The Mighty Hero, was the first calypso King of Montserrat and the Leeward Islands, performing in Kingston, Jamaica on many occasions. Together with Ijahs mother Sally Hewitt, a classical guitarist and singer in her familys band, Ijah was born into an environment of music.
Much of Ijahs childhood was spent in the spotlight, singing, performing and acting. Growing up in band houses, studios, and the backstage, Ijah began subconsciously absorbing the atmosphere of performance at an early age. By the age of seven, Ijah was adding his lyrical input into his uncles music. His uncle The Arrow, legendary Soca Superstar, known for hit songs, "Hot, Hot, Hot", Groove Master (Mighty Quinn), and Under the Sea (The Little Mermaid), was influential in Ijahs early musical experiences. With this exposure, grew Ijahs desire to use music as an instrument in communicating his message to the world. Though Ijah was always surrounded by music, it wasnt until one day while listening to a local Radio Montserrat program, that he heard Eric Donaldsons Cherry Oh Baby, his first introduction to reggae. This incident would later spark a fire in his soul leading him onto the path of reggae. In 1982, along with high school friends, Ijah started perfecting his craft as a reggae artist, by forming the reggae group The Militant Youths. The group consisting of 5 members, Towergan, Ibadan, Brigadiere, Kulcha Don, and Ijah himself, then known as Professor Money, quickly became the top act on the island. The Militant Youths went on to open shows for prominent reggae artists such as Junior Reid, Third World, Yellow Man, Tiger, etc. At a time, when high school students were banned from going to reggae shows, The Militant Youths would defy the rules affirming their desire to take part in the emergence of the popular reggae movement on the island.
In 1989 after a violent hurricane hit Montserrat, Ijah took a break from music, spending the subsequent years on a soul searching venture into his rasta livety. As, Ijah began investigating Rastafarianism, and its traditions, he incorporated the livety into his life. Eventually, most members of the group The Militant Youths, migrated to the US, Canada, and Europe, including Ijah who settled in Washington DC in 1994, at which point he was still distant from music. Other members of the group, such as Kulcha Don, went on to work with popular groups such as, The Fugees and C & C Music Factory, later signing with the major label Columbia Records. It was not until a friend introduced Ijah to computer based recording in 1999, that he was once again inspired to take part in his musical calling.
In 2000, Ijah created the Shashamane Movement Records label, building a home studio where he would ultimately produce and record future musical projects, such as the Above Ground series. With the recruitment and assistance of Darryl Jones, former guitarist with The Commodores and Lionel Richie, Ijah Menelik began the engineering of the universal project Utopia, which was later released in 2005. That same year, Ijah co-headlined the Talkin Roots tour on the East coast, West coast, and Mexico, with Virgin Islands own Bambu Station. Ijahs vibrant performance and delivery was instrumental in making the tour a huge success, with him immediately gaining wide acceptance from the reggae community and a strong fan base of listeners and supporters. By the time the self-produced album Utopia was completed and released, Ijah had already set a name for himself and his music within the reggae community. Utopia, with lyrics so real and MILITANT" was received immediately, captivating local and international audiences, while spreading Ijah Meneliks influences far. The album went on to win the award for best recording at the 9th Annual DC Reggae Music awards. At the same time, Ijah was awarded Best Songwriter for his popular single Baggawire, which was featured on the Mt Nebo Records/Bambu Station compilation, Talkin Roots II. The album Utopia, with its serious message, has not been limited to reggae listeners only. It has transcended all boundaries with universal profound lyrics and a musical style influenced by a variety of musical genres, meeting the demand of a conscious worldly audience.
Currently, Ijah is performing on the east coast at different venues, benefits, colleges, festivals etc. He also continues to work on recording projects with various artists, while at the same time working with Bambu Station on his upcoming sophomore album "I-Testament", scheduled to be released in 2006. His live performance can also be found on the recently released Talkin Roots Tour 2005-Live in San Fransico Album.
As reggae music continues to grow and spread its message internationally, one can expect to hear much more from Ijah Menelik as he continues to take his place on the front line of the movement.
For full information on Ijah Menelik, please contact IJAH2008@live.co.uk .
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