5 Questions with Kuzikk

Rising roots-reggae group, Kuzikk, which comprises Kamau, Kool Johnny Kool and Krysi Webb, hosted the launch of their EP, Hot Wata, on Wednesday at the Footprints Café. Backed by the Skool band, the group showed their mettle at the upbeat jam session which was attended by industry folk, fans and well-wishers.

The event’s theme was Stand for the Culture and the three members, all dressed in black, did just that. Noting that “culture is the heartbeat of any nation” and that Jamaicans have a rich, powerful and magnetic culture that has impacted the world tremendously, Kuzikk explained that as ambassadors they have a duty to play their part in “maintaining the highest standards set by our predecessors”.

5 Questions With caught up with Kuzikk post-event for a quick chat.

1. What is the significance of the title ‘Hot Wata’?

The first thing about hot water is once you come in contact with it, it’s gonna leave an impression. We believe these six songs, like that, will definitely have a lasting impression and make an impact. Hence the name of our EP Hot Wata. Each song will resonate with a wide audience because of the varying subject matters.

2. How did the group go about writing and selecting the songs that would collectively be known as Hot Wata?

Over the pandemic, we had a lot of time to write and hone our craft. Together, it is a unique blend of different sounds, as well as unique writing and singing styles. We wanted to choose songs that would not only represent that, but also represent the Jamaican culture as a whole and have a specific appeal in different markets. So, a song like Just Wanna Move would definitely appeal to listeners in North America as opposed to Reggae Town, which is geared towards reggae music lovers in the United Kingdom or European countries. The title track, Hot Wata, however, was written with the intention to attract dancehall fans, locally and internationally.

3. “Let’s fly away to a place of love where only eagles soar…” Whose pen writes this kind of poetry?

The members of Kuzikk are all writers and we are very serious about our lyrics and the art of writing. When we sit down together to write, and depending on the mood we are in, it gives birth to these kinds of love melodies.

4. Share with us two memorable moments during the making of ‘Hot Wata’.

There was one day in particular, where we all were in the booth together trying to get a harmony line done but the choir was just not ‘choiring’. Even our producer, Computer Paul, was getting visibly annoyed. And after several attempts, we just stopped and started laughing at ourselves. For some reason this is something we look back at, and laugh some more.

The next memorable moment would have been the day we met the legendary reggae engineer Peter Chemist. He had been in retirement for at least 20 years, but upon hearing Kuzikk’s songs decided to return to music. Needless to say, the meeting was memorable.

5. Why an EP and not an album, and do you think that your appeal will outweigh any reservations promoters may have about booking a three-member outfit for an event, especially overseas?

Good question. And truth and in fact, we have enough songs to make four albums but as a new group we wanted to introduce ourselves with a smaller number of songs. We wanted to see what our following would like (or not like) and test how it would build our fan base before going into full album mode.

I think just about any promoter will love the uniform Kuzikk wears and will feel proud to book Kuzikk locally and internationally. That pride in our culture and talent should outweigh any reservations that promoters may have. In fact, we’ve seen groups – larger groups too – like Black Uhuru, Steel Pulse and Morgan Heritage tour the world and continue to tour the world with their brand of music. We have a lot to offer and believe people all over the world will recognise this sooner than later.

BRAWTA

Kuzikk brings a level of lyrical militancy to the music that feels like a throwback to the days when reggae music was aligned to a cause, for example, the anti-apartheid movement. Is Kuzikk wary of falling into hot water?

As Jamaicans we have never been afraid to tackle the issues of the day. Be it a political issue, religious, social or cultural issue, Kuzikk is prepared to tackle it, we are not wary. We believe as artistes and true citizens who are proud and strong, we need to use our art to voice our opinions. Lyrically militant is who we are. Cyaa change!

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com