Keznamdi ADD

“This is not a choice or hobby for me, Music chose me. it’s a way of life and the only thing I have ever known,” explains a passionate Keznamdi, describing why his path has already been carved out in stone.

Keznamdi’s fate as a musician was inevitable, growing up with his parents who are lead singers of international reggae band—Chakula, touring the world and recording their 10 albums in the recording studio, located in his own home, buried in the lush St. Andrew hills of Jamaica.

Keznamdi ate, breathed and slept music. After countless nights falling asleep beside the strum of his fathers guitar, and hanging out back stage with his sisters at Reggae concerts, Kez already knew all the words to his parents’ songs at a very young age, bouncing perfectly on that infectious Reggae beat.

Not surprinsingly, Keznamdi recorded his first song at 5 years old—“Mix a Color”—an educational song about color mixing, inspired by his mother’s background in early childhood education at Harvard University. Already a natural and crowd pleaser on stage, he jumped at the opportunity to perform Mix a Color at his moms album release tours for her popular children’s album “Save the World” which became a viral hit in primary schools across Jamaica.

Keznamdi and his sisters were placed in music schools throughout their childhood and each began to flourish as individual musicians in college. Keznamdi’s oldest sister, Kamila McDonald, former Miss Jamaica World Beach Beauty, popular entertainment TV personality in Jamaica, began recording with established recording artistes like Calico (his brother in law) while she was at Stanford University. Kelissa McDonald became a college favorite during her own college years and is currently pursuing a musical career in Kingston, Jamaica.

“Nothing more natural than recording with my sisters, brothers, mother and father,” boasts Keznamdi who has been the catalyst behind many family collaborations and recordings. “All of them contribute to my music in a big way,” he explains.

Keznamdi began to take his musical career to the next level while at St. Mary’s College in Northern California. He was most excited to come to college in the United States primarily for the opportunity to play Division 1 soccer, another one of his life passions which he still manages to make the time for.

Before coming to the US, Kez lived in Tanzania with his family for 3 years, and completed his high school years in Ethiopia. His multifarious musical sound is a direct product of his diverse and well-traveled background: a sweet blend of Reggae, Dancehall, Bongo Flava, R&B and Rap Music. The eclectic blend of melodies and conscious, positive lyrics in Keznamdi’s music has also been influenced by musical icons such as Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Chakula.

With a guitar always in hand and golden locks on his head, Keznamdi’s music is just as captivating as his image. His personality and sense of humor on stage is an immediate magnet for people of all cultures, seeking to tap into a “feel-good” musical vibration.

“My music is a message and everyone of my song dem have a purpose.” You need fi just sit back and relax or stand up and jam…whatever you are moved to do (he chuckles). “Just tek a listen and experience it for yourself and more important than anything else, digest my message.”