LargeUp Premiere: Watch Karbon Put a Jamaican Spin on an Afrobeats Staple in “Highgrade Maka” Video 🇯🇲🇳🇬🇯🇲

September 5, 2019

The sound of afrobeats is so ubiquitous these days, it’s even seeped into the time-honored realm of the traditional Jamaican ganja tune.

Karbon, a new reggae artist out of Kingston by way of Manchester, Jamaica who is newly affiliated with Yaadcore’s 12 Yaad label and Delicious Vinyl Island, drops his tribute to “Highgrade Maka” over the beat from “Pana,” Nigerian singer Tekno’s massive 2017 afropop anthem.

It’s a fruitful maneuver as Karbon’s ganja toasts (“It taste like cassava”) fit sweetly over the rhythm, providing fodder for a colorful, fun video. The clip features cameos from Yaadcore, Samory I and nuff chalice, not to mention some Jamaican interpretations of West African dances. Looks like everyone had a good time on set, and you can just feel the vibes.