| Ajamu
Edson
Mitchell, known in the Calypso /Soca world as KlNG
AJAMU, is easily one of the rising stars of Calypso
and Soca today. Hailed by both CALYPSO ROSE, the Calypso
Queen of the world and the MIGHTY SPARROW, the Calypso King
of the World, as a gifted, talented and top class calypsonian,
KING AJAMU began singing calypso in 1983 after a
one year stint in Trinidad and Tobago where he experienced
first hand the great calypso stars in action.
An accomplished musician and
songwriter, KING AJAMU is unique among calypsonians and
is a member of a select band who can write, compose/arrange,
apply music and sing. The Mighty Sparrow said of his Grenadian
compatriot that he reminded him of himself when he started
on his career. KING AJAMU plays the Guitar, Keyboards, Drums,
Saxophone, and some Trombone. He works hard and long and
studies the great performers in Calypso. An electrifying
stage performer, Sparrow calls him "a big night man
".
King AJAMU now holds the record
for winning the Grenada Calypso Monarch title the most times.
He won the title in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1995.
His megahits include [1990 Road March] - Open Up The Door,
Double Tenor Girl, My Woman Is Gone (Reggae), Sweetness,
Party, Sweet Mother, Caribbean Woman, Trouble In the World,
Ajamu On The Road Again (1995) and Christina, Love thy Neighbor,
Push It Back all from his 1996 album entitled Precious More
Than Gold.
KING AJAMU also writes and sings
Reggae. He says that reggae is another Caribbean musical
art form and so it is easy to make the transition from calypso
to reggae. He credits
his mother with encouraging him to sing at an early age.
"My father was a steelband man.
He played pan. My mother sang at weddings
and other social events, so you can say that I have music
in my blood," KING AJAMU says.
Quiet, well mannered, the diminutive
KING AJAMU, stands barely 5' 4" becomes an imposing giant
of a performer on stage. He represented his native Grenada
in the 1996 Trinidad and Tobago Soca Monarch Competition
and also was one of the finalists in the World Calypso and
Soca-Monarch Competition which was held in New York.
To date KING AJAMU has ten(10)
Calypso albums, one (1) Reggae album and several Christmas
(Parang) among his many recordings. He has performed in
the Caribbean, England, Spain, Canada and The United States.
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