KOSMIK Riddim kicked off the recent Emancipation concert organised by the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari (ICAR), drawing a supportive crowd of patrons and fans.
The event, held on August 31 at the Vigie Multi-Purpose Complex, featured a stellar lineup of local and regional artists. Performers included Meshack, Ras Africa, Ras Byre from Martinique, and others. Emerging local talent Siah and Slice of Trees delivered inspirational lyrics, while the Jamaican female dance duo Moves for Days performed a stirring dance piece.
Fire Gad, the lead singer of Kosmik Riddim, captivated the audience with his ‘fiery’ and conscious tunes, addressing issues like corruption, pollution, oppression, and social ills. One of his standout performances was “Plant a Seed and Watch it Grow,” among other thought-provoking songs, all delivered with theatrical flair.
In an interview with The Voice, Fire Gad discussed the band’s makeup, collaboration, mission, and future endeavours. He mentioned that the band, which includes key musicians, has been working with his Lion House Productions studio in Gros Islet.
“We are on a mission to free people from mental chains and slavery, to free their minds and help them find joy and meaning in life,” Fire Gad declared.
The charismatic Rastafarian artist emphasized that their music brings different energies and vibrations. He also denounced the infiltration of gangs and new trends like the ‘Six and Sevens’ crews, and the ongoing gun violence in communities. He stressed the need for educational reform to help young people become more aware of their cultural identity and heritage.
Fire Gad called on community leaders to help curb gang wars and gun violence. “We are calling on the bigger heads in the ghetto to use money wisely—promote football matches, build music studios, and create sports facilities instead of handing out guns,” he urged.
He added, “The money could be directed towards creating a better future for the people and the next generation.”
What lies in store for Kosmik Riddim and their projections for the future?
Noting that “the music is a mission and you can’t go around it,” Fire Gad added: “We are just collaborating and it’s like the birth of something new, something different …so, we try to keep the thing on a level where we bring a different kind of frequency to the people, something that will uplift them.”
The band have been playing music for some time, particularly Azaniah, a keyboard player, former band leader, and visionary of the Kosmik Riddim project.
“With Kosmik Riddim, ‘I&I’ have a mission, to create something that will cause a kind of awareness,” he said. “So, we’re trying to create conscious and positive music.”
Azaniah added that the collaboration with Lion House came about due to various experiences and circumstances that allowed the group to intertwine, including a sound engineer, guitarists, and other musicians.
“Kosmik Riddim means cosmic creation, and in creation, there is a frequency; everybody is vibrating on a frequency …and we want to be vibrating on that positive frequency, which will cause people to be enlightened,” he said. “Reggae music has that frequency, it has that type of ‘check yourself, feeling good, feeling Iree’ type of vibe, and so, we want to keep it on that positive level.”
On its website, kosmikriddim.art, the biography states: Kosmik Riddim, a musical fusion born in Italy, emerged during a pivotal moment on tour in Europe. Founded by visionary John Polius (Azaniah) and three talented Italian friends, the band began a journey to create soul-stirring music that bypasses borders and resonates with the spirit of self-realization.
In the summer of 2010, Kosmik Riddim released their inaugural album, marking the commencement of a musical odyssey dedicated to connecting with the essence of listeners. The band’s overarching mission revolves around not only ‘Self-Realization,’ but aims to evoke profound emotions and touch the very core of anyone who listens to their music.