Iqulah

Jamaican born Iqulah (meaning Integrity, Quality, Unity and Love for Africa as Home), formed his band in 1984 in Jamaica and so began Iqulah’s teachings of Rastafari. In 1985 Iqulah and his band Gideon Force produced their first album, ‘Rasta Philosophy’. On returning to Jamaica, their second album ‘The Mission’ was produced in 1993 and Iqulah (an awesome stage performer) has since become recognised as the ‘high priest of reggae’. Iqulah spent many years on the road, performing extensively in Africa in the late 1990s. Iqulah will now be returning to Africa and linking with his brethren in Cape Town. He will be hosted by and collaborating with the band members of local roots reggae outfit, ‘Azania’. Azania was founded by Wakhile Xhalisa over a decade ago and has been synonymous with the reggae scene in the Western Cape ever since. Azania has produced several albums over the years, recorded at Ghetto Sound Studios in Nyanga . They have enjoyed collaborating with several international artists, sharing the African way. Their main passion however, lies in giving music to the people of Africa and sharing the Rastafarian beliefs of peace, love and unity. Iqulah and Azania are looking forward to collaborating and will be performing at the Monwabisi Festival in Khayelitsha on the 28th Nov, The Synergy Festival at Boschendal on 29th Nov. Further performances will take place until Mid December, so If you are after a conscious roots reggae experience, look out for this wonderful music collaboration with our brother Iqulah from Jamaica and Cape Town’s Azania! Labelled as the REGGAE AMBASSADOR, Iqulah continues the mission of great reggae artistes, such as Bob Marley, to bring reggae and Rasta to the four corners of the Earth. In 1985, IQULAH, who's name represents Integrity, Quality, Unity and Love for Africa as Home, set up his own label, Mozziah, to release a number of 7in disks to kick start his musical career in Jamaica. Not long after, Iqulah and his band, Gideon Force, released their debut album, Rasta Philosophy, which featured amongst many vocalists, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt on harmonies. This album marked a significant time for Iqulah and Gideon Force, when they decided to leave the Jamaican shores to tour the continents, carrying the Rasta message across many borders. Iqulah broke many barriers with his live performances and became the first Jamaican reggae band to perform in Estonia, Russia. He returned to Jamaica and concentrated on writing his second album, The Mission, which was released in 1993. Soon after, Iqulah began touring again and quickly established himself as a legendary performer, taking his audiences into higher spiritual height. The press hailed him as the "High Priest Of Reggae". With his unique charisma and strong African presentation, Iqulah touched thousands of his audiences across the world, Germany, Holland, Scandinavia, Russia, Africa, the Far East, to name but a few. Giddeon Force Iqulah - High Priest of Reggae Iqulah spent many years on the road, touring many countries, but his greatest fulfilment was reached when he arrived home - Africa. Iqulah and Gideon Force performed in many stadiums, notably Malawi, South Africa, Mali, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, but his highest elation was completed in 1997, when he performed in Maskal Square, Ethiopia in front of 80,000 people. In 1998, Iqulah retired from touring to join the lecture circuit. He spent a few years in Jamaica, organising and opening an international Rasta Centre in St. Ann's, his home parish. In 2004, Iqulah has return to the music industry with the launch of his current album Rastafari 4 Eva. His prophetic messages are as strong as ever, acknowledging current events and offering words of strength and clarity to all. A solid team of Jamaican's best musicians present the authentic sound of the King's music with the progressive reggae beat that Iqulah's fans have come to expect.