Is little Kailash the Reggae King of the future?
3 min read
At 11, he is a multi instrumentalist and he writes his own songs himself. Even the instrumental arrangements, he writes them too. His voice is something any fellow who loves reggae music would always fall in love with. The reggae prodigy known as Kailash is perhaps another Reggae King in the making. Top Jamaican musicians like Don Carlos have identified with his talent and played with him at concerts.
Last week, Umuaka Times correspondent in America had an exclusive interview with Kailash where he said how it all began.
Excerpts:
1: Tell us your real name and a little about your background.
My real name is Kailash. I am from the state of California in the U.S.
2: How did you go into music at an early age? What inspired you?
My parents bought me a keyboard when I was 2. My father recognized that I could grasp sophisticated musical ideas at that age. I began studying piano formally at the age of 3. I cannot imagine life without it.
3: You are too young to be playing reggae music. How do you get your inspiration from?
My father is a big reggae head. He is a fan of spiritual music. He has shared with me his opinion on the greatest artists from all genres. Artists such as Fela. From there, I developed my own preferences.
4: How do your friends relate to you at school?
My friends are still developing their own tastes in music. We don’t necessarily relate in that way, but I have fun with my friends nonetheless.
5: Do they really understand your reggae messages?
I don’t know if they’ve even thought about it?
6: Who writes your songs for you?
I write them myself. And not just the lyrics and melodies – I write the parts for every instrument.
7: In one of your Instagram posts, you posted a short video where you were playing drums. Do you also play other instruments?
I play all of the instruments necessary to make a full-produced reggae rhythm (drums, bass, keys, guitar, percussion, everything).
8: Have you gone to concerts before outside
I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and I’ve never been to Jamaica. I have it as one of my long-term goals to go to Jamaica with my parents (and preferably with Don Carlos). All the venues I’ve performed at are in California, with the exceptions of Reggae in the Desert in Las Vegas, Nevada and Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado.
9: In Jamaica, who are the top musicians you have played alongside with in concerts?
I’ve only played alongside Don Carlos and Slightly Stoopid.
10: Do you have any endorsement so far?
No, I do not.
11: Do you take anything to fine-tune your voice? If yes, what is it?
Not really. I like to drink tea though.
12: If you are given an opportunity to meet three musicians in the world today, tell us the musicians you would like to meet.
I would like to meet Chronixx, Aston Barrett Jr., and Flabba Holt, though I have many more on my list.
13: What if you are given an opportunity to wake 3 musicians from the dead, tell us those you would wake from the dead.
Like the last question, I have many on my list, but I would choose Tenor Saw, Fela Kati, and the last one is a record producer, Henry “Junjo” Lawes.
14: Why them?
I love Tenor’s music and would love to see him perform live. Fela, because I would like to show up and jam with him at one of his all-night sessions. Finally, I love everything produced by Henry “Junjo” Lawes and I would like to see what he would put out now.
15: Finally, when are you releasing your first solo album?
I have the music for a full album ready to go. What I need is to find a way to finance the project. I am not interested in signing with a record company at the moment. I prefer to have more control over my music.
Thanks for your time and we wish you success all the way from Nigeria in your music career.
Thank you!
