"Crown is an overarching piece of work. It’s staggering in its breadth of musical influence. Roots reggae appears on many tracks, where the bubble pattern (instruments playing off the beat) is present. This is broken down further, with some nods to the lover’s rock sub-genre of reggae. King MAS’s heritage also shines through, with many of the complex vocal arrangements displaying harmonies reminiscent of the golden days of Calypso music. Dancehall and afrobeat RnB get a look in, as do some elements of hip hop. But the major thrust of Crown is towards soul and RnB.

The album is the first proper release from King MAS’s own label Bantu Nation Movement. What immediately grabs you is the quality of the production. You’d be forgiven for thinking Tuff Gong or Island Records had a hand in its conception. Much of this, along with the songwriting, was led by King MAS himself. Also of note is the beautiful artwork. You can see this on King MAS’s Insta feed. But of all the highly accomplished Crown‘s achievements, it is its musicality and spirituality which rank as stratospheric."

Read full review: https://www.thecanary.co/podcasts/2019/02/17/one-of-the-albums-of-the-year-has-dropped-all-hail-king-mas/

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King MAS - Crown (Bantu Nation Movement Ent.)

Definition of a King (featuring a staggering line-up of guests including Kabaka Pyramid) is in part a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. But it’s laying out examples of people who inspired King MAS, but who also define his notion of “king” and whose legacy is wholly relevant to Crown‘s journey and overarching message.

The track Crown maybe the musical and lyrical highlight of the album. But the true triumphalism of King MAS’s work is this astoundingly crafted narrative about where we are as a species, and where he believes we need to be. It stands head and shoulders above many of its contemporaries, even in the conscious roots revival movement.

Full "Crown" album review available here: www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/…king-mas-crown/

Crown

King MAS - Definition Of A King & Randy Valentine, Jahdan Blakkamoor, Hymphatic Thabs Kabaka Pyramid

With Kora and Griot, Crown immerses us in African Royalty from the first notes. The third studio album of Boston-born artist King Mas is the first full-length release by his label Bantu Nation Movement, a collective he describes as consisting of "creative individuals and spiritual beings who represent the "Bantu" diaspora of the African continent and all of the various manifestations of our culture around the globe".

Full "Crown" review available at: https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/king-mas/releases/mode/review/release/king-mas-crown/

King MAS - Di Sumn Feat. D-Major

"..With Kora and Griot, Crown immerses us in African Royalty from the first notes. The third studio album of Boston-born artist King Mas is the first full-length release by his label Bantu Nation Movement, a collective he describes as consisting of "creative individuals and spiritual beings who represent the "Bantu" diaspora of the African continent and all of the various manifestations of our culture around the globe"."

Full "Crown" review available at: https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/king-mas/releases/mode/review/release/king-mas-crown/

King MAS - Crown

"...softer and love-soaked tones are struck, such as Queen (featuring Pupa Freddy's daughter Zosia McGregor)..."

Full "Crown" review available at: https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/king-mas/releases/mode/review/release/king-mas-crown/

King MAS - Queen Feat. Zosia McGregor

"...Take the Minstrel Interlude, an 80s soul throwback intertwined with more traditional afrobeat. It’s laced with delicious harmonies, a perfectly balanced brass section but with north African djembe-style drums gently tapping in the background. Then there’s Da Da Da, which puts you in mind of the 90s breed of RnB singers like Joe and Ginuwine. Unlike Joe, musically King MAS has produced something groundbreaking – like the Timbaland-produced Ginuwine but with more substance. Another stand out track is Queen featuring the soulful vocals of Zosia McGregor. Taking the listener back to the lover’s rock era of reggae, King MAS uses the track to display his remarkable vocal ability, switching between a delicious falsetto and gorgeous tenor effortlessly....."

Full "Crown" review available at: https://www.thecanary.co/podcasts/2019/02/17/one-of-the-albums-of-the-year-has-dropped-all-hail-king-mas/

King MAS - Minstrel Interlude

"...the first song introduces Jali Fily Cissokho, a professional Kora player and Griot from Senegal. Griots are musicians by heritage who once played for the kings of Mali, handing down oral history of the Mande people for over 4,000 years, "a future long ago", as singer King Mas adds. The following lyrical downpour in Round & Round can't really be summarized here but must be listened to - what a powerful entrance!..."

Full "Crown" review available at: https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/king-mas/releases/mode/review/release/king-mas-crown/

King MAS - Round & Round Feat. Djali Fily Cissokho

Grammy award-winning songwriter, vocalist & guitarist King Mas is a musical amalgamation of culture and art. A voice that reverberates thought-provoking messages, King Mas is a trailblazer for the conscious reggae fusion movement. Dubbed the “Musical Obeah Man”, The King has inherited an ancestral music tradition that spans generations. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, King Mas was born to culturally grounded Caribbean parents. His father Supreme, is a legendary calypso monarch from the island of Montserrat, and his mother a Clarendon born Jamaican who grew up during the formative years of reggae music. This is not to mention, an immensely talented lineage that is comprised of musicians and songwriters including Everton “Reality” Weeks, who wrote the world-renowned calypso hit “Hot, Hot, Hot”.

With a strong passion for music, King Mas drew inspiration from isolation as an epilepsy survivor. Facing the reality of a potentially life ending condition, King Mas would find solace in song. With Walkman in hand, he would tune into the arrangements of his favorite artists and impersonate their musical style and delivery. From Buju to Busta, to Beres and, Brian McKnight, The King immersed himself in varied types of music. It was this experience that shaped his existence as an exceptional artiste with an international following. 

King Mas acknowledges his divine purpose for living, also known as Nkrabea. Drawing from African spirituality, The King crafts distinctive words and sound to release life-altering energy, aiding mankind in realizing itself. With songs like, “Walk Like A Champion” and “Reflection”, King Mas chooses to heal rather than simply entertain. It is through this calling that he has earned the moniker “Musical Obeah Man”, paying homage to his Afro-Caribbean roots. 

To date, King Mas has performed all over the United States and the four corners of the world. From Lebanon to Lintz, to the Limpopo River, The King has electrified audiences with his unique vocal style, often delivering encore performances. In 2012, he independently released his debut album, “One Wish”. Now, “Rasta Evolution” released under Nature's Way Ent. contained several significant hits. The "Crown" album, executive produced by his brother "Mitymaose" will mark another paradigm shifting audio offering from the King.

King MAS - Definition Of A King & Randy Valentine, Jahdan Blakkamoor, Hymphatic Thabs Kabaka Pyramid

King MAS Official