KING KONG AND IRIE ITES REVIVE ‘REPATRIATION’ WITH ROOTS FIRE
When King Kong first recorded Repatriation, it stood as a call for spiritual return and cultural grounding. Now, Irie Ites and Naram have reignited that message with a bold new mix. The track opens with a heavy pulse, then King Kong’s unmistakable voice cuts through, reminding listeners that the journey to Ethiopia means action, not words.
Irie Ites production keeps one foot in the past and the other in the now. Naram’s riddim rumbles with classic weight, while Manuel Malhoeuvre and Jérôme Baccar bring sharp clarity to the arrangement. It feels like a bridge between eras, carrying King Kong’s timeless message across generations.
REPATRIATION’ CARRIES THE FIRE OF ROOTS INTO THE PRESENT
His career has long moved through continents and riddims, but his tone remains unwavering. Guided by Irie Ites’ steady hand and a powerful mix from Calvin Francis and Jérémie Nonorgue, Repatriation carries the fire of roots reggae into the present.
ABOUT KING KONG
King Kong, born Dennis Anthony Thomas, rose from Kingston’s vibrant sound system culture in the early 1980s. Recording first as Junior Kong at Tuff Gong, he captured attention with raw singles like Pink Eye. Collaborations with King Tubby, Prince Jammy and other pioneers soon followed, shaping digital dancehall’s sound.
Across decades and continents, his politically charged lyrics and fearless style have carried dancehall’s energy into contemporary roots reggae, proving his voice still resonates.
MORE FROM KING KONG
LINK WITH KING KONG
ABOUT IRIE ITES
Irie Ites began in France, driven by a love for roots reggae and dub. Over decades, they’ve brought together legends like Sizzla and Barrington Levy with emerging voices such as Queen Omega and Solo Banton, shaping riddims that pulse with history and modernity.
Each release, from rub-a-dub to experimental one-drop mixes, tells a story. Their work proves that reggae’s rhythms continue to evolve and grow across continents and generations.
