Perennial Grenadian Calypso King-turned-Gospel artiste Edson “King Ajamu” Mitchell has dropped “Blessed Love,” hoping to positively impact listeners globally.
“The song was written and released with the intent of getting a positive message to the people in the midst of an avalanche of negative songs dominating our airwaves at home and around the world,” Ajamu told Caribbean Life exclusively over the weekend.
“This record speaks of the importance of demonstrating spiritual love towards humankind,” he added, endeavoring to convey a message of “love and not carnal love.
“I feel blessed that God has granted me the privilege and that gift of music to be still able to try and make a positive contribution towards humanity,” Ajamu continued.
“Blessed Love” says in part: “If you see your brother hurting/instead of cheering and rejoicing/sympathize/whatever the circumstances/don’t let hatred ruin your chances/empathize.”
Ajamu, a musician, arranger, and record producer, added: “We are living in a complicated world, so let’s try to look towards the simple things like ‘Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.’”
In his first spiritual performance in Brooklyn, King Ajamu, in September 2023, rocked the Bedford Central Presbyterian Church in Crown Heights, Brooklyn during the inaugural Gospel of Praise Concert hosted by the Brooklyn-based Dee Vee International Productions.
In a high-octane performance, backed up by his band and singers, King Ajamu provided a gospel feast to the effervescent audience, belching out, among others, “Sing for You,” “Born Again,” “Never Get Weary,” and “Prodigal Son.”
The four-hour-long concert also featured a host of other gospel artistes and performers, including then six-year-old Kelaiah Ventour, granddaughter of Grenadian Derek Ventour, president of Dee Vee International Productions, accompanied by DJ Page; Apostolic Voices; God’s Property Dancers; Veron Richards; Dr. Zorina Frederick; Princess Tyetia Hodge; Jacqueline Williams-King; Williams-King’s daughter, Abena Amory; saxophonist Joe Alert; Gerard Placide; and Donn Warde.
“I was not new to this, but I’m true to this,” said Ajamu, receiving a surprise award at the event. “Thank you very much, Mr. Derek Ventour. Mr. Ventour never ceases to amaze me.”
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 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 of nine-time Grenada Calypso Monarch, winning in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2004, 2014, and 2015.
He also won the Grenada Road March title 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.
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 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 Billboard Magazine’s “Bible of the Music Industry.”
In December 1998, Ajamu was honored by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II as one of an elite group of three calypsonians with the prestigious title “Member of the British Empire” (MBE) for his services to the calypso art form.
Although he is recognized mainly 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 his versatility.
This was followed in 2005 by the long-awaited release of “Living Water.”
Top reggae artistes worldwide recognize King Ajamu and has shared the stage with many of them.
His second and long-awaited reggae CD was released in 2005.
“Blessed Love” is available on all major social media platforms.
You can also reach King Ajamu directly at (347) 351-6706 or (473) 449-6764.