IJAH Menelik

Photo by April Steyert (thatreggaewoman)

Biography:

Born in Montserrat, IJAH Menelik was influenced by the lyrics of Bob Marley, the captivating performances of James Brown and the musical influence of his uncle “The Mighty Arrow”. At age 7, he was adding lyrical input in his uncle’s studio sessions. By age 14, he started Militant Youths, a five-member high school Reggae group, which opened for Reggae legends Yellowman, Admiral Bailey, Tiger and Junior Reid.

IJAH Menelik migrated to Washington, DC from Montserrat permanently in 1994. While soul searching on the metropolitan streets, he found his destiny through the King of Kings, Haile Sellasie I the first and created Shashamane Movement Records, Militant Youth Awareness Publishing and Trans Atlantic Review Magazine.

IJAH Menelik released the impressive “Utopia” in 2005 with conscious, thought provoking lyrics and a wide variety of riddims and musical styles.

Discography:

Jamming All Night Long with Sadiki I (Logwood Productions) *
Ethiopia (Basement Squad) *
Talking Root II (Compilation: Baggawire. Mt Nebo Records, 2005)
Utopia (Shashamane Movement, 2005)

* No release date given.

“Utopia”

After Da Storm:
Bass: Warren Petersen
Drums: Mitch
Guitar: Jalani Horton

Never Say Never:
Guitar: Pablo

Mastered by: Don Decastro (High Rotation Studio) Mixed by: IJAH Menelik & Daryl Jones (Shashamane Studios, Washington, DC) Executive Producer: Ijah Menelik (Sean Cassell)