Lupa's Music is available on I-tunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lupa/id579369484 LUPA With a rough and roaring deejaying style and a booming baritone voice, New York native Lupa (of Italian heritage) more than holds his own among reggae’s heavyweights. After hearing reggae on the radio as an early adolescent and being inspired by its stylistic and spiritual depth and political power, Lupa begun collecting records and tapes with his small but hard-earned weekly wage. Initially singing along to his growing collection, Lupa soon began to meticulously study the vocal styles of such dancehall luminaries as Shabba Ranks, General Trees, Chaka Demus, Little Twitch, Terror Fabulous and Muziah, aka Phillip Famous, writing his first original material at the age of 16. In 1992 Lupa found his way to HC&F; Studio where he was first captured on tape by producers Michael McDonald and the late great Phillip Smart. As Lupa recounts, “Throughout the course of time I had mastered patois, and the first time a Jamaican producer heard me he could not believe his ears – ‘This is no Ja-fakin bandwagonist!’”. Although he will not converse with you in patois, Lupa’s immaculate delivery, rockstone voice and rich vocal timbre during stage shows and studio recordings leave you astounded that he is not Jamaican - “Reggae doesn’t sound right any other way”, he muses modestly. In 1993 Lupa met radio DJ and producer Kibret Neguse who took him under his wing. On his first trip to Jamaica in 1994, Lupa was invited into the studios of legendary producers Bobby Digital, Danny Brownie, Philip “Fatis” Burrell, and Courtney Cole to cut some vocals. Since this foundational visit to reggae’s heartland, Lupa has worked with an array of legendary artists and producers, including Sly & Robbie, Kemar (Flava) McGregor, Red Rose, Bulby, Sylton Gordon, Jah Life, Raf Allen, and Ed Robinson. Moreover, urban music producers in the U.S. - the Beatnuts, Chubb Rock, and Just Ice to name just a few - have also taken a strong interest in this unique ITAL-ian. In 1996 Correct Records teamed up Lupa and George Nooks to record “Real Man”. The song charted on Billboard magazine, and won Lupa a Tamika Award. From 1997 to 2009, Lupa cut an array of diverse releases, including singles and standout appearances on riddim compilations, and in 2010 Lupa ushered in a new phase of intense and strictly conscious musical activity by releasing his long-anticipated debut album, Hopes and Dreams, on his very own label, IMAICAN MUSIC INC. Lupa’s second album, Focus, was released by A.1. Records in 2011, and his third album, Heart of a Lion, which included stunning duets with General Trees, Ed Robinson, George Nooks, and Muziah, was released in 2012 by Cool Breeze Records. In 2014 Lupa completed his fourth studio album, Powers, released on Critical 1 and featuring another series of powerful collaborations with Carlton Livingston, Lady G, Norris Man, General Pecos and Shelene alongside varied, commanding and lyrically and vocally rich solo performances. Proving yet again Lupa’s ability to shine alongside reggae royalty, “Trample”, an imposing and fearsome combination with iNi Kamoze, was released in 2016. Highlighting the caliber of his live performances, Lupa has also shared the stage with some of reggae’s finest, including Shabba Ranks, Ed Robinson, Capleton, Cobra, Luciano, Frankie Paul, Lady Saw, Spragga Benz, Gyptian, Barrington Levy, Morgan Heritage, Beres Hammond, General Smiley and Mega Banton.

• published: 29 Jan 2017
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