Ras Tree

Although born in St. Louis: MO: Ras Tree was raised in the rural NE part of the state in a town named Macon: Missouri. It was in this small town that began to shape and mold Ras Tree a.k.a. Kenneth Beauchum. He was active as a youth in the community through many organizations and influenced by his by his father Eddie Beauchum: his grandfather Wallace Jackson and the elder generation . “I remember as a youth being disciplined by any and all the adults. If you were acting bad they would woop your butt and take you home to get another woopin by your parents. ‘It takes a village to raise a child‘. Most of the blacks in our community were poor and didn‘t depend on the grocery stores. We grew our food: went fishing and hunting. My grandfather‘s generation were carpenters they would build houses and the furniture in them. The women would make the curtains: quilts: clothes: everything… make bread everyday.“ In the rural farming community of Macon: Ras Tree grew to connect with nature in the countryside. This led him to writing poetry: which later led to songs. He went on to graduate from high school and went to college in Quincy: IL and Atlanta: GA. The culture and livity of the Rastafari took hold of Ras Tree in the mid 1990s in Atlanta: GA. There he would be a member of Almighty Rastafari Kingdom / Atlanta Rastafari Community (A.R.K./A.R.C.) an all area organization focused on the advancement of Rastafari. This only led to a much deeper connection to his faith in which he found through the Nyahbingi Order in Atlanta. “The heartbeat is the first sound we hear when we were in our mothers‘ womb……the original sound. It’s an honor to sing ises at the Nyahbingi for Jah is worthy to be praised….to make that connection with the Almighty : to purge: to chant down wickedness in high and low places….. ”. He was baptized in the reggae music by selector Aba Shaka of Cosmic Lovebeat International a roots n’ culture sound system. This is where he would start to sing and chant at places like the Culture Center of downtown Atlanta : “I remember many a night when we would be up to 4 or 5 in the morning passing the mic around with nuff singers and chanters bringing the vibes.“ This eventually led to Blaq Hole HiFi a sound system created by Ras Tree and his bredren I-Wah. They would throw sets through out the city and deejay on WRFG 89.3 fm Atlanta. In 1997: he moved back to Missouri and immediately took root. He took a volunteer radio position at the Lincoln University’s KJLU show named “Africa Panarama” in which he still hosts to date. Blaq Hole HiFi branched into two when Ras Tree moved: yet he continued to spread the music throughout the region. He continued writing and would eventually link with Russ Ranx from St. Louis. Ranx’s band ’Dubronix’ specializes in reggae dubs and he invited Ras Tree to perform with them. They performed at various venues in St. Louis including opening up for Burning Spear in front of 5:000 plus at Union Station. Just recently at the venue Blueberry Hill of St. Louis he had a cameo appearance with Dubtronix at the Bob Marley Birthday Bash and excited the St. Louis massive. Ras Tree has also entertained in Nashville: TN and all throughout Missouri. While Ras Tree performs as a reggae artist: most of the massive in mid-Missouri where he resides know him as a radio deejay. Recently: at the Bob Marley Birthday Bash in Columbia: MO: he made his local debut performing songs from his upcoming album “Root to the Fruit” backed by Dubtronix. He was well received by the surprised sold-out crowd who knew him as a deejay and not a performer. The crowd joined in and sang along on his new single “No More” a song about no more worries or problems on judgment day. “No More” is the featured song on the extended play “Due Season” released in February 2005. “Due Season” has six other songs including “Dub No More” displaying eight songs in all. This EP can be found at Vintage Vinyl St. Louis: and record stores in Columbia. The full length album “Root to the Fruit” is being recorded and the release date will be determined . For more information: interviews or bookings contact (573)219-0928 or email [email protected]