Performers

“Inspired by the fearless truth-telling of Nina Simone, and projecting the ethereal aura of early Erykah Badu,” according to billboard.com; Jah9 has become a femiNINE icon of a movement based on universal consciousness. Deeply mystical, Jah9 has emerged from a chrysalis of poetry and dub of Jamaican roots reggae. Her philosophy–profoundly spiritual, and her style – “Jazz on Dub”.

Born Janine Cunningham, Jah9 spent her first 9 years in Falmouth, Trelawny, on the rural western edge of Jamaica before moving into the city of Kingston, where she ventured inward and found an outlet for her feelings in the words that she wrote… Jah9 became a staple on Jamaica’s underground poetry scene by 2009. The empty spaces of instrumental dub allowed a young Jah9 to find her voice, and her demos caught the attention of the legendary singer Beres Hammond as well as popular producer Don Corleon; meanwhile the passion in her live performance and her love for live music caught the attention of her peers and assisted in jump starting what is known to the world as the ‘reggae revival’.

Jah9 has gone on to successfully release two albums; ‘New Name’ (2013) ‘9’ (2016). Her debut album, ’New Name’ produced by pioneer selector Rory ‘Stone Love’, was voted album of the year by AchisReggae.com and brought forth the playful hit, ‘Avocado’. In that same year Jah9 released the single “Steamers A Bubble” which has become an anthem for herb users worldwide. ‘9’ album represents Jah9’s shifts in energies to unveil a deeper more personal development of her ‘Jazz on Dub’ sound. The album was voted #2 Reggae Album of the Year by billboard.com.

Described as “black magic,” Jah9 and her dub inspired band, The Dub Treatment, is a staple on European and American reggae and world music festivals having performed at Boomtown (UK), Roskilde Fest (DE), Paleo Fest (CH), Rototom (ES), Caliroots (US) among many others. A certified yoga instructor trained in Kemetic, Ashtanga and Iyengar methods, Jah9 has been known to compel her audiences during her live set to pause, breathe deeply and feel empowered. Intimately engaging with her fan base, Jah9 also curates an organic music-based yoga experience she calls ‘Yoga on Dub’.

Jah9 is rooted in her African heritage and driven to serve. In 2015, while on tour in Italy and Malta she was intent on engaging with African refugees, sharing with them insight on the new environment they would face, natural wellness as well as yoga/breathing as healing therapy.

Jah9 is currently working in studio with legendary producer Clive Hunt on her follow-up to 2016’s ‘9’ album. So far two singles have been released; “Love Has Found I” and “ Feel Good”. They will be both be featured on an exclusive vinyl EP dubbed “Feelings” to be released in the summer of 2018.

OSHUN is an independent Hip-Hop / Soul duo and the sonic manifestation of Afrofuturism. Using digital and acoustic sounds, heavy drums and bass, and ambient harmonic textures, OSHUN connects with the spirit of their ancestors to manifest a sweeter tomorrow for us all. Since the release of their debut mixtape ASASE YAA in 2015, OSHUN has amassed a social following of over 150k people between Youtube ( youtube.com/oshun ), Instagram (@oshun), and Facebook (facebook.com/oshuniverse ) alone. They’ve been recognized by media heavy hitters such as Rolling Stone, The FADER, Viceland, Huffington Post, NPR, Essence, and Vogue (just to name a few). They’ve also performed throughout the U.S. and Brazil all while remaining full-time college students at NYU. It’s been a wonderful journey and now that these young goddesses have graduated college, they are transitioning into the next phase of manifesting their purpose. OSHUN is preparing for the release of their debut album series “bittersweet”, complete with captivating visuals, a 2 month long tour of the US & Canada, and a deeper look into their ever-evolving selves.

I grew up around Griots who told stories with their food.  From a family of restaurateurs, cooks, dubbers, bubblahs, and rubbas, I my self.  Generations of history from several Caribbean islands are encoded in my DNA so the saga of heritage speaks through my food.  My present culinary journey, in true Sankofa form, is in homage to them. In reverence and in celebration I re-create plant-based and healthy interpretations–carving a new path and making new stories for those to come.

I am motivated and inspired by both the outstanding people I have worked with during my career, and a lifelong love of all things culinary. I am a highly skilled and disciplined cook. My creative process and passion for great food and customer appreciation is the main ingredient in my principles of cooking. My cooking carries a diversity of flavors due to my years of travel as an apprentice. I am fortunate to have been privy to learn from chefs mastering in Caribbean,Latin, Indian, African, and Thailand cuisines and skills. Being taught to prepare and thus create magic using the freshest, local, sustainable produce into amazing dishes. I am known to prepare diverse traditional dishes into healthy vegan options for those with dietary constraints that miss that good home cooking. I am knowledgeable of most dietary requirements including but not limited to: Vegan, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Diabetic, and Gluten free.

Kamani Tait, better known as KT the Arch Degree was born in St. Croix, Virgin
Islands, raised in Brooklyn, NY and matured in Atlanta, Ga. Living in these different areas, within these different cultures, has molded KT’s ability to decode our indigenous roots. Through the study of how and why we eat he has assimilated a unique outlook and solution on our current state of well being as aboriginal peoples. Because of his knowledge and masterful use of herbs he has been able to assist many people in their self-healing. Taking on the title and duty as ethnobotanist, KT has made it a lifelong mission to educate and stimulate actions of self care.

Kamani has had the honor of speaking at numerous events across the world
including London, St. Thomas, Bermuda, New York and the list goes on. Many
lectures of his are on Youtube and he also boasts a rapidly growing social media
following as the youth and elders alike realign with their health. KT is currently
working on a book as well as college level biochemistry content via Patreon.
continues his work by dispersing ethnobotanic information to the layman and
advanced researchers alike.e.