New Day

BLAAK LUNG BIOGRAPHY

Blaak Lung is a self-described “artist first,” with a passion for music since the day he was born. He is also a producer; writer; musician and businessman that believes that music is “not just entertainment” but has a role to teach to the music community and world at large. He has set on a path to “do what wasn’t being done,” the way he saw fit – to spread the joy and splendor of music throughout the world on his terms.

Drawn towards the power of music as a young child, Blaak Lung played drums, piano, and clarinet by the age of ten. He played in school bands in the California Bay area, feeding his love for music. But the spark that got him started on the path he travels as an artist/musician/producer was a Yamaha keyboard/sequencer in 1984, the rest, is history.

He credits his music genius as being born from being influenced by the vintage Roots music works of Reggae greats such as Augustus Pablo, Rockets International, King Tubby and other Dub musician as well as conscious Hip-Hop artists of the 80’s era, notably KRS-One. At the age of thirteen he began creating Reggae, Hip-Hop, and R&B tracks in home-based studios. The influence of this rich mixture of influential music can be heard through his revolutionary lyrics, classic melodies, the heavy bass, and heavy kick songs produced individually and in collaboration with other artists.

Blaak Lung created the independent grassroots label “Greensphere Records” in conjunction with Greensphere Labs (a production facility) in Oakland, California in 1996 in addition to an aspiring career as an artist and musician. Not your typical musician he elevated to producing and recording quality conscious music for a variety of artists such as: Mikey Dred, Andrew Tosh, Turbulence, Jalani Horton of Bambu Station, Ras Attitude, Sheep Advisory Unit, Dugsy Ranks, Wadi Gad, Soul Rebel aka “Windstrong”, Marcus Melody, Malika Madremana, Zareb, Norrisman, and Mega Banton.

In addition to his production works, Blaak Lung began with two solo projects that embody his expression and gift as an artist and boldly introduced his “authentic-yet-unique riddims, powerful messages, and unwavering mission to the world. His first album “To The Souls of Old” was released in 2004. He describes the vibe of this album as “old-school, vintage, foundation, one-drop music.” He dedicated the album as “homage to the Elders that gave him life direction – to let them know that we are still trying to carry on their vision.” Songs like “The Truth”, “Change Song”, and “I Am That I Am,” provide listeners with refreshing new sounds that exemplify Blaak Lung’s unique vocal styles including a hybrid of Rap, DJ, and Poetry.

Blaak Lung’s second album titled “Frontline” was produced in 2006 on his Greensphere Records label. The Frontline album was made in collaboration with D.A.A.P. Band (A talented Virgin Island group then consisting of Abijah Hicks, Dion Hopkins, and Phillip Merchant); as well as legendary guitarist Vince Black. Blaak Lung credits this album as exemplifying his growth as an artist – he describes the sound as “more precise, more solid, than previous works.” The album is a deeply moving collection of tunes he calls “powerfully conscious listening roots – simple, yet solid.” Songs like “Million Miles From Home”, “Free Up Your Mind”, and “Rise and Fall” provide listeners with hauntingly unforgettable melodies and word sound power that force the issues expressed by the artists to the Frontline – literally.

Works & Credits

Since 2006 Blaak Lung has worked in studio with the following artists: Arkaingelle, Mega Banton, Prestige, Elephant Man, Marcia Griffith, Zareb, Nuby Dan, Bambu Station, Malika Madremana, Rankin Scroo, Messenjah Selah, Luv Fyah, Winstrong, Tuff Lion, Noble Culture, BushMan, Jr. Toots, Ras Batch, Ras Attitude, Norrisman, and Jah Warri.

Albums Blaak Lung has worked on and completed since 2006:
1) Ras Batch I-ver Strong (2007); 2) Ras Attitude Trodding Home (2007); 3) Malika Madremana Elixer (2007); 4) Blaak Lung Aspire (2008); 5) Arkaingelle O'pen (2008); 6) Blaak Lung Rooted In Inity (2010); 7) Blaak Lung Be Ever (2011); and 8) Blaak Lung Signs Of Change (2013).

"Rooted In Inity" was an excellent album that Blaak Lung put out in 2010, but he released a solid follow-up a year later, "Be Ever". These two albums signaled a change in direction for the label and Blaak Lung, who had been putting out full albums and singles for others and finally pulled off the brakes to his own musical ingenuity and went full speed down the road to greatness with “Signs of Change.”

"Signs Of Change" is the brand new album release from Blaak Lung, via Green Sphere Records. Although on first listen this new album seems quite similar to its predecessors, this album has a 'looser’ feel than the previous two, offering the listener a wealth of musical joy. Namely, "Signs Of Change", has a very strong Intro on which Blaak, creatively outlines his own intentions with the album then lifts the listener to rollercoaster heights and keeps ascending without looking back. As described by one music critic, “The first actual full song on this album is up and it's a guaranteed signature from this set, 'One Nation'. This is a piece about unity and unification on both the small and large scales,” plus, “it also has that type of big and vibrant sound that you want to hear at the head of an album (as does the intro), which would make a newer listener curious to hear more”.

Recent Performance and Shows:
1) Rooted In Inity Tour (California, Oregon, Washington) (2008);
2) Monterey Reggae Festival (2009);
3) Opened for Louie Culture at Rocket Room, San Francisco, Ca (2010);
4) Opened for Queen Omega, Ashkenaz, Berkeley (2009);
5) Bob Marley, AG Fair, Hilo Hawaii (2011);
6) Opened for Lutan Fyah, Oregon (2012);
7) The Burning Bush Show, Oasis, Oakland, Ca (2012);
8) One Love, One Heart Reggae Music Festival, Sacramento, Ca (2012);
9) Pier 23 July 2011 and July 2012