Catalan Reggae artiste Irie Souljah is bringing the Immigrant to Europe and beyond.
The 24-year-old artiste is now touring to promote his 10-track, self-composed debut album produced in collaboration with Geníse ‘Genious’ Traní from Barcelona.
Living in Jamaica for the past two years, Irie Souljah has developed a relationship with artistes such as Sly & Robbie, Ken Boothe, Jesse Royal and Kabaka Pyramid, with whom he is currently on tour.
Irie Souljah, joined Kabaka Pyramid’s Accurate Europe Tour Part II at the Rototom Sunsplash music festival in Spain on August 15, and thrilled the crowd as he performed songs from his new album Immigrant.
Stops in Slovenia, France, Slovakia, Germany, Croatia, and UK saw Irie Souljah being well received and growing his fan-base after delivering high energy performances in the cities. Co-manager of Kabaka Pyramid, Abishai Hoilett said he is pleased with the collaboration. “Irie Souljah has been well received by the European audiences on the Accurate Tour Part II. He has been thrilling the crowds, all the while delivering his unique style of Reggae music,” said Hoilett from Bebblerock Music.
And that unique style can be heard on his debut album Immigrant. The track list includes Inna Di Mood, collaboration with Kabaka Pyramid dedicated to the female fans; and uplifting Jah Jah Children Rise Up, featuring Jesse Royal. Also on the album are the Elevate Your Thoughts, Rastafari and Mama Don’t Worry which pay homage to the “high” practices, religious teachings and motherhood, respectively.
The last two tracks on the album demonstrate Irie Souljah’s authentic message as he uses his art to address social issues in Guidance and Middle of the Street.
Irie Souljah completes his run on the Accurate Europe Tour Part II in early September.
The Making of Irie Souljah
Born in Barcelona as Josep Jordi Grau Saula, Irie Souljah was exposed to “black” music from four years old by his parents. In his teenage years, Irie Souljah’s interest in music resurged when he started going to parties where he was exposed to electronic music, often mixed with reggae and various Jamaican influences.
Captivated by videos of Bob Marley’s performances, Irie Souljah formed his first band Reggae Soldiers and started his roots reggae journey doing covers of Burning Spear and Culture.
Performing with his second band Mystic Soldiers, Irie Souljah felt a need to reach his full musical potential. The artiste moved to Jamaica after his first visit where he performed alongside Jamaica’s own such as Chronixx.
