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Raggaman was
born in Lusaka, Zambia. He was never formally trained
to play any musical instrument, but always had an interest
in them. His uncle played electric guitar, bass guitar and
piano. By age 9, the young Raggaman was trying to grasp as
much as he could. With some guidance from both his uncle and
a cousin, he slowly learned the difference between a B and G
note.
As
with many musicians, Raggaman first developed his musical
skills in church, working with various vocal groups and some
choirs. Having parents who listened to a wide variety of
music, he learned to appreciate Rhumba, R&B Soul, Jazz,
Reggae, Solid Rock and even Classical Music. A spell in New
York City while in High School had a major influence on
RaggaMan's musical ear. While attending Junior High School at
Manhattans Adam Clayton Powell JHS 43, the teenager had the
opportunity to listen live to the likes of Curtis Blow, LL
Cool J and Doug E. Fresh. From that point, he was "all
rapped out."
Raggaman
completed his High School in Zimbabwe where he had moved with
his family. While in High School, the beginnings of his
recording career were seeded. He put together a stereo
recorder and, with some friends and a Yamaha PSR keyboard,
began to compose rap songs. His closest rap buddy Mandla
Masuku, a Tswana from Gaberone went on to become a renowned
Kwaito musician. Raggaman jokingly remembers how the two of
them would write raps, get some girls from the high school to
learn some lines and make some tracks with the limited
"equipment" they had.
Years
later while at University in the greater Los Angeles area,
Raggaman finally got the instrumental exposure he had always
desired. He learned to play drums and piano, but really
flourished on the bass guitar. He joined a contemporary jazz
band called "Quest" and together they played
universities, parties and jazz clubs. Meanwhile, he slowly
began to build his musical toolset.
After
graduating and while working full time in the Information
Technology industry, Raggaman began to build both his song
writing and playing skills on the weekends and in the
evenings. It was during this period that he was re-introduced
to ragga by a friend. The process culminated in a brief
meeting with Shaggy at a San Diego area concert during the
latter's "Boombastic" tour. RaggaMan's musical taste
began to bend decidedly towards Ragga. Working part time
as a hobbyist DJ, he noticed the tempo the music brought into
parties, and soon enough, he was laying tracks on his own,
combining his interest - Rhumba, R&B and Ragga.
While
his music is generalized as Ragga, it really is more
accurately a fusion of all of these influences. The RaggaMan
phenomenon was thus born. Though very active in many musical
avenues, Raggaman never forgot his roots. He still plays bass
in churches on most weekends.
Send
email to raggaman@malabath.com
1.
Dance With Me (featuring Lala)
2.
Give Me Your Love (featuring Lala)
3.
Love You Gyal (featuring Lala)
4.
Feel Me Beat
5.
Don't Wanna Be Alone
6.
Telephone Lover
7.
Lover Like You
8.
Ndajana Musimbi
9.
Mutima Wanga
10.
Give Me Your Love (Part II)
(featuring
Monalisa, Milly Jo)
11.
Ntawu Bwanji?
12.
Dance With Me (Part II)
(featuring
Lala)
13.
Tekanya
Courtesy
of Malabath Music
visit
Malabath.com
Buy
at malabath.com
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