Perennial Grenadian Calypso King-turned-Gospel artiste Edson “King Ajamu” Mitchell has released his latest album, Focus.
“The album got its title from the song of the same name,” King Ajamu told Caribbean Life on Friday, March 13.
“I was inspired to write the song Focus as a reminder for me to stay focused on my spiritual journey and to also be an inspiration for those who are seeking to find their own way towards a higher path,” he added.
The opening verse of the song says: “I remain focus/Serving my purpose/And I say nothing going to break my strides/And abdication is not an option/Cause I know victory is still in sight/As long as am living my limits are above the skies/I’ll keep on trying/To clear the smoke from off my eyes.”
King Ajamu said he wrote Focus in early 2025 and had no intention of doing an album.
“But something happened in July where I had an injury to my right eye in Grenada and had to travel to the US to get treatment,” he said. “I became partially blind in my right eye, which hindered me from doing much because of my impaired vision.
“So, I was inspired to write and, in a couple weeks, I ended up with enough material for a full album,” King Ajamu added. “So, I spent much of my time trying to man-over in studio.
“Through the grace of God, I was able to accomplish this album, Focus,” he continued.
King Ajamu said the album comprises 10 original tracks, “which I consider to be gospel.”
Among the tracks on the album are “All the Praise,” “Awesome Rock,” and “Bless Somebody.”
Born on July 27, 1963, in a village called Mama Canne in Grenada, King Ajamu said he has been a musician since “a very tender age.”
He said he began singing calypso in 1983 after a one-year stint in Trinidad & Tobago, where he experienced first-hand “the great calypso stars in action.”
Once he arrived on the calypso scene, fans welcomed this “breath of fresh air” and dubbed him King Ajamu, a title that he said he answers to, but his humble nature has not embraced.
Acknowledging his talent, King Ajamu has since been hailed by both Calypso Rose, the Calypso Queen of the World, and The Mighty Sparrow, the Calypso King of the World, as a gifted, talented and top-class calypsonian.
King Ajamu holds the unprecedented title as the nine-time Grenada Calypso Monarch, winning in the 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2004, 2014 and 2015.
He also won the Grenada Road March tile in 1990 and Soca Monarch in 1995.
In addition, King Ajamu continues to make outstanding musical contributions generating CD after CD and hit after hit.
Standing at just 5’ 7”, he plays guitar, keyboards and drums, and is a certified sound engineer.
He has written, arranged and produced songs for several top Grenadian calypsonians, and has transformed many calypsos with his finishing touches.
King Ajamu said he concluded a great year in 1997 by winning the coveted “Male Vocalist of the Year” title at the impressive “Sunshine Awards” in New York, beating out other calypso stars like Trinidadian David Rudder and Barbadian Edwin Yearwood.
He said his musical efforts have been recognized by the international music community, as he has been featured regularly in the “Bible of the Music Industry” – Billboard Magazine.
For his services to the calypso art form, Ajamu became a member of an elite group of three calypsonians honored by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, with the prestigious title “Member of The British Empire” (MBE) in December 1998.
Although he is recognized mostly for calypso and Soca, he’s equally at home in the reggae genre.
With the release of his first reggae CD “Jah Is My King,” audiences got a taste of just how versatile he is.
This was followed in 2005 by the long-awaited release of “Living Water.”
King Ajamu is recognized by top reggae artistes around the world and has shared the stage with many of them, including Bunny Wailer, Culture, and Beres Hammond.
In summer 2021, Ajamu said he made the decision to redirect his life and music towards service to God.
With his music, he has become one of Grenada’s and the Caribbean’s most competent cultural ambassadors.
This gifted musician is well respected by his peers and has performed in the Caribbean, the United States, Canada, China and Europe to sold-out audiences.
He continues to travel year-round using his voice to croon uplifting songs that traverse musical genres.
With a discography that spans many 12” releases and over 25 albums, music is definitely in King Ajamu’s blood.