About this Artist
In their electrifying new album "Rockin' Like a Champion", Mykal Rose, the Grammy-winning former vocalist of Black Uhuru, and Subatomic Sound System, the former band of dub inventor Lee "Scratch" Perry, have masterfully combined the finest aspects of classic reggae and cutting-edge electronic production to captivate listeners. Full up on sweet melodies, profound deep bass lines, and an array of next level beats, their live shows are like no other and have festival crowds rocking and bubbling. Mykal's powerful voice, Subatomic's improvisational mixing, swirling dub effects, and the inclusion of live horns and percussion create a performance not to be missed.
For over 45 years, Mykal Rose (FKA Michael Rose) has been recording and performing his brand of hardcore Jamaican music to the delight of reggae fans around the world. He achieved superstar status during his tenure with Black Uhuru 1977-1984, leading the reggae super group, powered by Sly & Robbie, to win the first reggae Grammy. He has since released 22 solo albums and continues to tour the world non-stop. He has collaborated on hits with reggae artists across generations including Damian Marley, Dennis Brown, Alborosie, Big Youth, The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Sly and Robbie, and many more. As a solo artist, with Black Uhuru, and back as a solo artist, the “Ruff” Rose has achieved great success throughout his career, even as different Jamaican musical styles have phased in and out of popularity.
NYC’s Subatomic Sound System has been on a 2 decade mission using electronics and live musicians to build a future foundation sound and performance style drawing on the intersection of the bass heavy, spacious soundscapes, and improvisational remixing of classic 1970s Jamaican dub and the best new possibilities of electronic music. In 2009, Subatomic caught the eye of dub and reggae’s eccentric pioneer, Lee “Scratch” Perry, the original producer of Bob Marley, who recruited Subatomic Sound System as his go to band to create his unique Black Ark studio sound live on stage. Subatomic produced numerous releases with Scratch including several early dubstep remixes back in 2007 and the acclaimed “Super Ape Returns To Conquer” in 2017. In 2023, Black Uhuru’s Grammy winning singer Mykal Rose enlisted Subatomic for a new album (releasing July 26, 2024) & live tours including sets at Cali Vibes Fest, Cali Roots, and 4/20 KayaFest at Red Rocks with The Marley Brothers & Steel Pulse. Beyond the Jamaican reggae scene, Subatomic in 2023 produced collaborative tracks for both Jack Johnson and Sublime.
The Subatomic band is spearheaded by Emch on the electronics and production wizardry, with Troy Shaka Mobius providing distinctive sax melodies and horn arrangements, and Jamaican conga legend Larry McDonald on percussion. McDonald brings a lifetime of heritage as a reggae originator having worked with everyone from The Skatalites, Count Ossie, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, & Lee Perry in Jamaica to Gil Scot Heron, Taj Mahal, and even Bad Brains in the USA. Subatomic has toured on almost every continent including festival appearances at France’s Telerama Dub Festival, Coachella, Mexico’s Vive Latino, Hungary’s Ozora Featival, Dubai’s SoleDXB, Europe Dub Champions Festival tour and opening for tours by Julian Marley, Stephen Marley, and Jack Johnson in the US and Europe.
With unrivaled heritage, a relentless drive to break new ground, and infectious melodies and grooves, Mykal Rose & Subatomic Sound System deliver a vibrant new musical experience that transcends boundaries.