Taj Weekes is a Rastafarian musician raised in the Caribbean but shaped by the experience of intercontinental life. He is a creative, poetic singer-songwriter and former leader of the dynamic band called Adowa.
He is an unwavering and energetic humanitarian whose dedication extends beyond the lyrics of his songs to his social activism, culminating in his 2020 appointment by the Government of Saint Lucia as Goodwill and Brand Ambassador with the official title, Your Excellency. Taj Weekes. This follows his official role at the United Nations as “UNICEF Children’s Champion” and its children’s charity: They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO). With a big brain, heart, and smile, he has six acclaimed reggae-style albums in his career.
His seventh album “Pause” is his first solo project since he parted ways with the band Adowa. The official launch took place on August 9, 2021. Although he is a formidable idealist, Taj Weekes maintains a sophisticated and unflinching view of the world. This balance between seeing what is and what should be clearly empowers his social activism. His songs are of a great pragmatic and non-judgmental optimism that is not merely unusual in reggae, but almost unique. So what makes Taj Weekes special can be summed up in three words: musician. poet, and Humanitarian. What makes him amazing is the easy and spontaneous harmony between all facets of his existence.
His mind worked overtime, synthesizing the new reality imposed by a humanitarian crisis like no other in our lives. In a strange synchronicity, hundreds of thousands died from the raging virus, while black political activism in America ignited simultaneously with the death of George Floyd. From there, the resulting Black Lives Matter movement imposed difficult decisions on many activists, to choose between live demonstrations in the streets or staying home in the safety of isolation. Many went ahead, others did not. It was a fight for survival at worst. Taj Weekes has been able to poetically capture this astonishing reality with a deep reflection of the time, writing deeply ingrained emotional lyrics that make up his new album “Pause.” Many of the album’s tracks include a stark assessment of political greed.
Crisis”, the first single and video released in July 2021, awakens our conscience to the disturbing sound of a siren that is a sign of crisis. The ska tune is related to an unfortunate presidential prediction. The song “Memoir” ensures that the truth will reveal itself and everything that was hidden to cover up a crime. On the other hand, the songs “Bang Bang” with Quino de Big Mountain as a guest, “March of the Silent”, “Sister Mary” and “Rainstorm” are deeply expressive and very moving songs that are within the new release of Taj Weekes who said in statements: “This album was written during the most important year of my life. The year the music stopped and everything else. “
“Pause” is emotion and at the same time speaking with the power of the people. Great instrumentation with the predominant voice of Taj Weekes, which together with the backing singers perfectly timed to the guest chants, complete a highly executed work of art. An album that will stand the test of time and mark one of the most challenging and terrifying moments of our generation. Taj Weekes was caught in the storm and sings: “The whole world has been shaken, but I cannot pause, simply because there is so much to do.”
On the island of St. Lucia, Weekes worked with the Rotary Club and gave 10,000 pounds of food to social service organizations to feed the hungry. Taj Weekes is undoubtedly an artist who walks and talks to teach his own children the joy of giving, something he learned from his own mother.