Zion The Messenger makes his mark in “Truth Be Told”
Before I utter one positive or negative word about Zion The Messenger, I’d like to take a moment to offer a tip of the proverbial cap to him and his second official EP offering, Truth Be Told.
The reason why, is that in hailing from Malawi, in Southeastern Africa, he has taken on the task of making his mark in an ultra-competitive market in modern reggae music.
This may not be a huge deal for fans of the music looking for the next up-and-coming stars in the genre to look out for, but for myself, knowing full well the major impact that Afro Beats has made globally and the literal cornering of the market it has implemented, as far as what’s “hot”.
Zion could have taken quite possibly a more direct route to establishing himself as an artist.
Not to say that it’s a given that any Afro Beats artist is guaranteed major play, and a feature with the DJ Khaled’s and Drakes of the world, but it’s pretty safe to say that artists like Burna Boy, and Wizkid are killing the game, and opening the door for their fellow countrymen and women to shine. So where does that leave an artist like Zion, who while not a brand-new artist in the literal sense, isn’t quite as known as well as Collie Buddz, Alborosie, and George Palmer? Artists who also don’t hail directly from the isle of JA? I’d say in a decent space after getting myself a taste of what he has to offer.
Opening the proceedings with One Way, Zion, sets it off with a pretty nice head nodder in which he makes it clear he is a pious young man with a devout dedication to Christ and his teachings. Not entirely foreign themes throughout reggae music, he speaks of them with a decent singing voice and delivery that is easygoing and placid. That’s a good thing as it drives his subsequent cuts, Long Way, In My Shoes and my personal favorite, So Natural.
By the time I got to closer, Crown Of Life, I felt as though I had been listening to an artist that had “been here before”. Not quite veteran status like a Tarrus Riley, or Jah Cure, but an artist that is deserving of airplay and any platitudes sent his way. He’s an extremely talented musician, writing and producing for himself, a noteworthy feat in and of itself, and while it might take some time to acclimate your ear to his African dialect while singing, he certainly has the talent to sustain himself and possibly increase his exposure to the rest of the globe.
Will we see him on the major international reggae fests like Reggae Geel, and Rotterdam? With time, perfecting of his craft, and this amazing new invention called social media, perhaps. But I’d be willing to bet that a talent like his will continue to find a market for his music and represent the motherland with verve. Jollof Rice and Cassava Fries anyone??
By Yankee Nupe
