Taj Weekes prepares to release a new album titled “Pause”

Taj Weekes is a singer and songwriter, poet, musician and humanitarian hailing from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. In 2020, the government of St. Lucia appointed Taj as a Goodwill Ambassador and Brand with the official title His Excellency, Taj Weekes. On August 9, 2021, Taj will release his seventh studio album, titled PAUSE.

In 2020, Covid-19 brought the music industry to its knees. Taj Weekes would not be suffocated by the loss of touring opportunities or the psychic demands of quarantine. His mind worked overtime, synthesizing a new reality, imposed by a humanitarian crisis unlike any other in our lifetime. In strange synchronicity, hundreds of thousands died from the violent virus, while black political activism in America was simultaneously initiated with the death of George Floyd. The resulting Black Lives Matter movement imposed harsh decisions on many social activists to choose between live demonstrations in the streets or staying home in safety or isolation. Many moved on, others did not. It was a struggle for survival under the most terrible circumstances.

Taj has poetically captured this striking reality with a deep reflection of the times, writing deeply rooted emotional lyrics that make up his new album, ‘PAUSE’. Taj believes that this may well be his most remarkable album to date.

“This album was written during the most important year of my life. The year when music stopped and about everything else.”~ Taj Weekes

“PAUSE reveals a musical diary of introspection imposed by conflicting confrontations and affronts to humanity. The album touches on the insidiousness of politics, racism and disease. We all endure these painful realities of the struggle for survival, but only a gifted poet could capture the painful essence of confusion and pain. Taj’s reflections are painfully accurate, but the sweetness of his voice also gives me a sense of calm and hope. ” ~ Sista Irie, Majesty Media

Many of the album’s tracks on PAUSE include a harsh assessment of political greed. “CRISIS,” the first single and video released in July 2021, raises our consciousness to the frightening sound ‘a siren is a sign of crisis. If you leave too late, we will lose investments.’ In the ska infused melody related to an ill-fated presidential prediction, ‘all lives matter except on Easter Sunday’. where we outgrow, money outgrows life. “Memories” guarantees that the truth will come out and ‘everything that was hidden to cover up a crime’.

Lyrics of the song Crisis

Crisis
Fly open too soon
Here comes the next rush
uncertainty looms
a novel virus
It’s alright to come out slowly
it’s alright to bend the curve
and will history see you clearly 
for your greed and not your verve
Come out the water is safe
No need for testing
If you come out to late
we lose Investments 
but a siren is a sign of crisis 
siren is a sign of crisis
Fly open to soon
Here comes the next wave
Dark side of the moon
a novel death plague
It’s alright to come out slowly
It’s alright to bend the curve
and will history see your clearly 
for your greed and not your verve
Come out the water is safe

No need for testing
If you come out to late
we lose Investments 
but a siren is a sign of crisis
Siren is a sign of crisis
Siren is a sign of crisis
Truth deniers we see you clear
Front liners smile behind their fear
Of people first that’s what you say
But actions speak and we hear very clear
Come out the water is safe
No need for testing
If you come out to late
we lose Investments 
but a siren is a sign of crisis
Siren is a sign of crisis
Siren is a sign of crisis
Siren is a sign of crisis
 (Bridge)
(Chorus)
Fly open to soon….

Watch Taj Weeks-Crisis

“Bang Bang”, ” March of the Silent “,” Sister Mary “and” Rainstorm “are songs deeply expressive of emotion and at the same time speak to the power of the people. The perfection of the instrumentation, Taj’s commanding voice, the perfectly synchronized guest singers and background singers finalizes a highly executed work of art. One that will stand the test of time and mark one of the most challenging and frightening moments of our generation. Taj has been caught in the storm and sings ‘the whole world’s been shaken, but I can’t make a PAUSE, simply because, long ago it ceased to do.’

Taj has a long history of giving back to the community not only through the lyrical power of his music, but through his ongoing humanitarian work to promote support for the children of the Caribbean. Her non-profit organization, They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), spearheads projects such as after-school sports programs, diabetes awareness, domestic violence awareness, and arts activities. During the recent 2021 election season in St. Lucia, Taj worked with the Rotary Club to deliver 10,000 pounds of food to social service organizations on the island to feed the hungry. Taj Weekes is a hiking and speaking artist, teaching his own children the joy of giving, something he learned from his own mother.

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