Osezua
While commercial dancehall may have been more marketable entering the 21st century, few reggae artists stayed true to the roots path as did Xcdus Records star Osezua, whose name means "Blessed". Born in Mandeville-Manchester, Jamaica, the enlightened singer delivered two albums which simultaneously taught and relaxed listeners. Lessons of Teachings (2000) and Lord Anointed (2001) brought both praise from devout believers of God and fear from the evil doers of the world.
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"The struggle of a roots man delivering a true rasta sound is a tought one, but far from impossible. Because with the almighty Creator on your side, one can never lose", I am often reminded of a song by fellow rasta Everton Blender who bellows: 'Jah Never Fail I Yet' The Creator has called me to this cause and I will deliver.
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Following the death of his father in 1993, the young artist formed his first US based band. Al-kebu-lan, which means "Mother Africa". After finding it hard to find dedicated musicians, the evolving roots man formed the Impressive Preditor Roots reggae band in 1996 and went on to record the gought-provoking Lessons of Teaching, which contained hits such as "Jezebel's Child", "Dogan Warrior" and the powerful "Pale Horse". He followed that in 2001 with the release of Lord Anointed, another package of wisdom which also featured an array of chart-topping tunes that is currently receiving air play in Europe, Canada, South America, The United States and Jamaica. The hits "Virtuous Woman", "Round and Round" and "Majestic Kingdom" are destined to become household anthems.
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Osezua believes that life is a mission of completion. To that belief he breathes every breath. Always a great father to his two wonderful children, son Tarafi, and daughter Sakara, the blessed musician also finds time to assist his mother in the family's Chicago bakery where his talents as a master bread maker has also become evident.
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"To some the Creator gives many talents and gifts. A man must not sit on those gifts or God will take them away. I'm first a servant to the Almighty. If that being true, the blessed words of the father's guidance says that 'Charity begins at home'. This is how a man must live to share the gifts that God has given with those closest to him and those farthest from him". Osezua says in his trademark philosophical delivery.
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A hard working artist, Osezua is a constant figure on the concert and summer festival trails. He has shared the bill with some of reggae's biggest names such as Inner Circle, Bares Hammond, Tony Rebel, The Meditations, Junior Marvin, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley, Everton Blender, The Itals, Yellowman, Nasio Fontaine, Daniel Emmanuel Brown, Burning Spear and the Wailers, among many others.
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Look for Osezua's third CD Ungodly Alliances (to be released in the fall of 2004) to take the world by storm. An artist often release a work that becomes the staple of his or her identity -Ungodly Alliances is that work for Osezua. The world is encouraged to look, listen and learn from Jamaica's next rising level.