Roots chanter Derajah is looking forward to a productive 2026, after releasing a collaboration in January and performing at the Wicki Wacki Festival in Bull Bay, eastern Jamaica, in February.
Derajah recently released ‘Burning’, a song produced by European company, Spiritual Food Records. It is the follow-up to ‘Love Up’, a roots ballad he recorded with singer MG Liz. The Rastafarian artist co-produced that song with Bruno Dupre of Brazil.
While recording and releasing songs is important, Derajah says securing live shows is just as critical. Performing before a packed house at the February 12-14 Wicki Wacki Festival was good exposure.
“The festival is very important to me because it is owned and operated by young people, youth who are passionate about preserving reggae music and ensuring that it continues to thrive,” he said. “Most of the time I was in the spirit, so I can’t say much, but performing my songs for the public is always a good vibration.”
The Wicki Wacki Festival featured the cream of contemporary and classic roots-reggae, including Etana, Karbon, Turbulence, The Abyssinians, Dahweh Congo and Billy Mystic.
A recording artiste for almost 30 years, Derajah is best known in Europe and South America for roots songs like ‘Who Yeah Yah’, which was produced by guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith in 2002.
In 2025, he released several songs including ‘Red’, ‘Chant’ and ‘Justice’, as well as ‘Where is Our Culture’, a collaboration with Cedric Myton and Wormbass.