**Name**: Tefkemet (often stylized as *TEFKEMET*)
**Real Name**: Tef
**Origin**: Brooklyn, NY (Parents from Trinidad and Tobago)
**Genre**: Roots Reggae, Afrobeat fusion, Soca, Latin
**Label**: TefkemetMusic
**Active Since**: Early 2000s
### **Musical Style**
Tefkemet blends traditional roots reggae with Afrobeat rhythms, incorporating Nyabinghi drumming and lyrics in both Jamaican and Trinidad Patois ( languages). His music emphasizes themes of **Pan-African unity**, **spiritual awakening**, and **social justice**.
### **Key Tracks**
1. *"OutsideCold"* (2020) – A call for African diaspora solidarity through the Covid19 pandemic.
2. *"Call on di MostHigh"* (2020) – A modern take on the classic, critiquing systemic inequality.
3. *"God in we life "* (2022) – Collaborates with Da Prophet Tishamba-X.
### **Public Persona**
- Known for performances in traditional white cloth and Rastafarian colors.
- Advocates for **reparations** and **climate justice** in the Caribbean.
- Rarely grants interviews; communicates primarily through music and social media symbolism.
- Criticized by conservative groups for lyrics challenging political corruption.
### **Affiliations**
- Member of the *The Ethiopian World Federation*, EST 1937 Harlem NY a grassroots group.
- Collaborates with Trinidadian Soca artist MonnayVa
- Collaborates with Jamaican Dancehall artist like Terry Linen, Wippa Demus, Ikonji, RasKimani to name a few
- Collaborates with Virgin Island artist like Da Prophet Tishamba-X & Lion Brimstone
- Collaborates with Nigerian Afrobeat artists like Ajaeze
### **Current Status**
Reportedly working on an Producing his third reggae album, rumored for release in late 2025.
Soon to release a power conscious reggae single entitled
" Forward "
4. What are some unique musical elements introduced by Tefkemet's collaborations
Tefkemet’s collaborations introduce several unique musical elements:
Genre Fusion: He seamlessly blends soca, Latin, and conscious reggae within single performances, creating a genre-hopping experience rarely seen in live music.
Dynamic Setlists: His live shows feature transitions from high-energy soca to deep roots reggae and sultry Latin ballads, showcasing versatility and broad musical influences.
Collaborative Diversity: Working with artists like LionBrimestone, Da Prophet Tishamba X, and Monnayva, Tefkemet incorporates varied vocal styles and instrumental arrangements, further enriching his sound.
Cultural Hybridity: His music reflects both his Trinidadian heritage and Brooklyn roots, introducing Caribbean rhythms, Latin melodies, and reggae consciousness into collaborative tracks.
These elements set Tefkemet apart as an innovator, expanding reggae’s boundaries through collaboration and creative genre blending.
5. Why He Matters?
Tefkemet embodies the evolution of reggae as a vehicle for cultural preservation and global activism. By blending Trinidadian soca, Afrobeat, and Rastafarian spirituality, he creates a sound that resonates with both Caribbean traditions and modern diasporic struggles, positioning him as a vital voice in "consciousness music"
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