Multi-talented reggae artist King Dread, also known as Dr Dread, says if given an opportunity to be part of Burning Spear's tour of southern Africa presents itself he will welcome it with both hands.
Burning Spear is coming to southern Africa as part of his Africa Unite tour in October and King Dread, a Zimbabwean music producer, instrumentalist and sound engineer based in South Africa is inching to be part of the backing team.
“It would be an absolute pleasure and honour to be considered for such a high profile reggae showcase,” King Dread told Standard Style.
“Let me take this opportunity to mention that I was involved as music director for Judy Boucher, the reggae sisters and the backing band I have forgotten its name at the recent Nekkies Festival, which was held in Worcester, Western Cape.
“Yes king. I have also been to Malawi as keyboard player for King Sounds at the Sand Festival in Salima together with All Nations Band."
King Dread was born and bred in Harare where he was introduced to the mainstream music scene by Kenny Mwanza of The Midnight Magic.
“I would say l rose to fame in my own right as a keyboard player for the popular reggae outfit Crucial Mix in the early 2000s as well as holding the key position of Saturday night's presenter for the very popular Rocker's Vibes on ZTV in the 2000s,” he said.
“I was exposed to studio experience at Bizzie Doin Nuthin Records and Movip Entertainment during the same time and my first international exposure was playing keyboard for Jamaican Luciano's backing Band at the Jacaranda Festival in Harare in 2007.”
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Bulls to charge into Zimbabwe gold stocks
- Ndiraya concerned as goals dry up
- Letters: How solar power is transforming African farms
Keep Reading
He has grown to be a performer, presenter, producer/director and engineer of global repute.
Locally, he has worked with a number of artists including Ras Jabulani, Trevor Hall. Winky D, Yagga, Hohodza Band, Dumi Ngulube and Amagents, Patience Musa, Daddy Slaggy, Mic Inity and Eyahra, among others.
Outside Zimbabwe, King Dread has toured and done studio work with international bands and performers such as King Sounds, Judy Boucher, Lutan Fyah, Kenyatta Hill, Crosby Bolani, Blak Kalamawi, Scratch Rugarchy, Reggae Sisters, All Nations Band, and Azania Band, among others.
King Dread currently works as a producer and engineer at King Dread Studios in South Africa.
“I am also a live sound engineer, music director and keyboard player at All Nations Music Circuit,” he said.
“I also find time to direct and perform in my own One Drop Band.”
King Dread discography includes albums 12 Tribes Riddim, Bihngi Warrior Riddim and Detox Riddim plus various singles.
His latest project is dubbed Ultimate, a collection of 10 reggae singles by various artists from Zimbabwe and South Africa.
“I arranged, produced, mixed and mastered all the songs,” King Dread said.
“I also did the instrumentals on these masterpieces.”
King Dread said album Ultimate was available on various online music platforms including spotify, itunes and apple music, among others.
He features 10 artistes on the project and is looking forward to producing an album for each of the 10 artistes in future.
