Afro-conscious since his teens, deejay Ken Serious remembers a time when artists spread the history and message of black people through their music. That’s something he continues to do with tracks like ‘Defend mi Blackness’, his latest song which is produced by Issachar Muzik out of Los Angeles.
With a perceived dearth of culture-driven songs in contemporary dancehall/reggae, the Atlanta-based Ken Serious believes it is up to veteran acts like himself to show the way.
“What inspired me to write ‘Defend mi Blackness’ Is to help reactivate the consciousness of greatness that’s written on our DNA as a people. How many of us parents are enforcing our culture, values, and the practice of it that was handed down to us from the elders?” he asked.
Previously known as Captain Kenterius, he was encouraged by Tony Rebel to change his stage name, as he (Rebel) said it was too long. That took place during the 1990s when Ken Serious was a member of Rebel’s Flames Records.
Tony Rebel is one of the famous producers he has worked with. Ken Serious started his career at Channel One in the early 1980s, after making his name on sound systems in his native Manchester parish and neighboring Clarendon. Later, he recorded songs for Sugar Minott, Clement “Coxson” Dodd, and Richard Bell of Star Trail Records.
Since migrating to the United States, Ken Serious has maintained a steady recording schedule. ‘We Have to Make It’, ‘Bring the Vibe’ (with Lenny Lavida) and ‘Vacation’ are some of his recently released songs.
