INTRODUCTION

Although I have known Fikir Amlak for years, I only know part of his story. With Caribbean and Latin-American heritage, his early years were split between the Caribbean and the USA. He came into contact with the Rastafari order at a young age and the resonance was immediate. He rapidly embraced Rastafari culture, philosophy and music which has regulated his life since. After moving to Santa Cruz, California he took part in a series of solo and collective musical works from 2002 to 2006. Growing disillusioned with the music business, he took a 7 year sabbatical from recording. During this period he lived a severely reclusive life, studying and training with Rastafari in the hills of California and Jamaica. He continued to release previously recorded music but did not record again until 2013, when various producers encouraged him to return to the music world. Since then, he has recorded extensively but only a small portion of this music has been released. The roots – reggae - dub - sound system world has embraced him, and his rise has been meteoric. Promoting a balance of mental, spiritual and physical fitness, his message has arrived on the scene like a breath of fresh air. While he remains in the public eye, look for more releases, live performances, and insight from Fikir Amlak.

Mike B, Akashic Records

 
 

BIOGRAPHY

Fikir Amlak, born and raised in Los Angeles, CA has been professionally involved in the music industry for 20 years as a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. In the past 8 years, Fikir Amlak has seen his music released by various international labels in the form of 57 vinyl records, 21 CD albums and 58 digital singles. Since 2014, he has become a regular on the European ‘sound system’ tour circuit, frequently performing as a singer alongside King Alpha Sound System from the UK. Fikir Amlak’s most popular album releases to date have been in collaboration with King Alpha and the American music label, Akashic Records Reggae, although his projects with San Diego based producer Brizion have also received popular support. Along with several vinyl records, albums and digital singles slated for release in the coming years, Fikir Amlak recently launched his own record label, Tikur Anbessa Records operating out Los Angeles, CA with an emphasis on limited, polyvinyl releases. As a producer, Fikir has worked with artists such as Wellette Seyon, Karim Israel, Koro Fyah, Ras Amlak and Kazayah.

 
 

DISCOGRAPHY

Vinyl Releases (57)

  • Rootsman (Shere Khan/2023)

  • Conquering the Wicked (Red Peak Sound/2023)

  • Johnny Come Lately (Jah Works Promotion/2022)

  • Warriors Rise Up (Lion’s Den/Black Redemption/2022)

  • Pay Day (Lion’s Den/Black Redemption/2022)

  • Sinking Ship (Steppas Records/2022)

  • Resist Dem (Dub O Matic Records/2022)

  • African Gem/Royal Son (BHW/2022)

  • Jah Rain (Apoff in Dub/2021)

  • Power of the Word (Chalwa & Fire Sound/Green King Cuts/2021)

  • 42 Laws (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Prepare/Limitless (Dub Up Records/2021)

  • Middle Pillar (Akashic Records/Green King Cuts/2021)

  • Never Sell Out (Dub Invasion/2021)

  • One Africa/Three Wicked Men (Blackheart Warriors/2021)

  • Banton (La Tempesta Dub/2020)

  • Showtime (Steppas Records/2020)

  • African Rain (Conscious Sounds/2020)

  • Wicked Teachings (Nyabinghi Dub Records/2020)

  • Up In the Hills (Green King Cuts/Akashic Records/2020)

  • Lalibela/Addis Ababa (Akashic Records Reggae/2020)

  • I Know (Victory Train HiFi/2020)

  • Overcome (Yaksha Sounds/2020)

  • Levi/Fasting & Prayer (Blackheart Warriors/2020)

  • Prophet, Priest, King/Mau Mau (Blackheart Warriors/2020)

  • Ancient Man/Ekos (Tree of Life/2019)

  • Zion Surround (Dub Dynasty/Steppas Records/2019)

  • Divine (Steppas Records/Alpha & Omega/2019)

  • I Believe (Dub O Matic Records/2019)

  • Walk With Jah (Akashic Records Reggae/2019)

  • Don’t Sleep (Lion’s Den/Black Redemption/2019)

  • On My Mind (Alchemy Dubs/2018)

  • Rasta Tell Dem (Lion’s Den/Black Redemption/2018)

  • Live Like a King (I Lion Records/2018)

  • Feel the Pain (Inner Standing/2018)

  • Hear Me Chant/Ancient Man (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Selassie I Great (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Love Your Life (Universal Love/2018)

  • Manna (Name By Nature/2018)

  • Fallen Soldier (4 Weed Records/Bass Pirates/2018)

  • When the Lion Roars (WhoDemSound/2018)

  • Back Away (Lion's Den/Black Redemption/2018)

  • Ekos (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Eastern Star (Akashic Records/2017)

  • Murderer/Blood Spiller (Black Redemption/2017)

  • Frontline Rasta (Dub Invasion/2016)

  • No Fear (Imperial Roots 2016)

  • I Am That I Am (Akashic Records/2016)

  • Forever Jah/New Song (Blackheart Warriors/2016)

  • No Mercy (Imperial Roots/2016)

  • Africa I Call (Ma-Kaya Records/2016)

  • Warn Dem (Higher Regions/2016)

  • Ethiopian Sunrize (Blackheart Warriors/2015)

  • Starlight (Nyabinghi Dub/2015)

  • Carry On (Roots Youth Records/2015)

  • Kingdom at the End (Lord Hissayas/2014)

  • Doyen/Bravery (Imperial Roots/2014)

Albums (26)

  • Medhane Alem (Blackheart Warriors/2023)

  • Immense Ocean (Akashic Records/2021)

  • House of Words (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Exponential (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Victory (BHW/2021)

  • Higher Level (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Congo Natty meetz Fikir Amlak (Congo Natty/Akashic Records/2020)

  • 7 Powers (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Kukulkan (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Empress (ULMW/2019)

  • Bless the Place (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Rasta Tell Dem (Black Lion Sounds/Dub Strand/2019)

  • Selassie I Great (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Some Dread (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Axum (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Key to the Universe (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Lewi Showcase (Blackheart Warriors/2017) 

  • Simply Warrior (Akashic Records/2016) 

  • Roots & Dub (Black Lion Sounds/2016)

  • Roots & Culture (Black Lion Sounds/2016)

  • I Love Jah (Imperial Roots/2015)

  • The Lion Lives (Black Lion Sounds/2012)

  • Highest Regions (Black Lion Sounds/2007)

  • Seed of Zadok (Black Lion Sounds/2006)

  • Love Jah and Live (Black Lion Sounds/2006)

  • Fiqir Amlak (Black Lion Sounds/2004)

Digital Singles (58)

  • Holy Grail (Blackheart Warriors/2023)

  • Kilombo (Akashic Records/2023)

  • Kebra Negast (Blackheart Warriors/2023)

  • Hiero (Akashic Records/2022)

  • Rastafari Music (Zed2DiZee/2022)

  • Great Work (Akashic Records/2022)

  • Bongo Watto (Akashic Records/2022)

  • Temperance (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Eternal Rewards (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Simran (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Fifth Seal (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Cornerstone (Iron Gate Sound/2021)

  • Royal Son (BHW/2021)

  • All Fall Down (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Berhane Selassie (Recovery Records/2021)

  • Not Be Moved (Akashic Records/2021)

  • Jah Rain (Apoff in Dub/2020)

  • Lalibela (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Addis Ababa (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Freedom Time (Dub Culture Records/2020)

  • All Fall Down (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Lalebela Almaz (Congo Natty Records/2020)

  • African Rain (Conscious Sounds/2020)

  • Warrior King (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Yemaya (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Banton (La Tempesta/2020)

  • Without a Doubt (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Natural Law (Medicated/Gdash/2020)

  • Thrice Great (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Sunshine Ray (Paul Fox/2020)

  • Zumbi (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Obatala (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Awa Lebe Binu (Akashic Records/2020)

  • Black Pearl (Creation Muzik/2019)

  • Teotihuacan (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Golden Stool (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Jah Worthy (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Quetzalcoatl (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Ziggurat of Ur (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Darshan (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Holy (Tree of Dub/WSPC/2019)

  • Olmec Head (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Worthy (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Nefertiti (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Forgive Me (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Digitally Minded (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Sumer (Akashic Records/2019)

  • Pressure (Black Lion Sounds/Dub Strand/2019)

  • Lion Strong (Black Lion Sounds/Dub Strand/2019)

  • Train (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Selassie I Great (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Warrior (Addis/2016)

  • So High (Young Mind/2016)

  • Murderer/Blood Spiller (2014)

  • Be Joyful (Just Enoch/2014) 

  • Born to Win (Jah Youth/2013)

  • Love & Affection (Jah Youth/2013)

  • Train Jah Youth (Jah Youth/2013)

EP's (8)

  • One Africa & Three Wicked Men (BHW/2021)

  • Ethiopian Sunrise (BHW/2021)

  • Jailhouse (Most High/2021)

  • I Am That I Am (Akashic Records/2018)

  • Warn Dem (Higher Regions/2016)

  • My Time Will Come (One Drop Records/2014)

  • King of Kings (Jah Youth/Black Lion Sounds/2014)

  • Praise HIM (UniRidd Project/2014)

Compilations (15)

  • Rastafari Music (Zed2dizee/2022)

  • Zion Surround (Steppas Records/Dub Dynasty/2019)

  • Self Reliance (Akanni-I/2017)

  • Wicked Teachings (Imperial Roots/2016)

  • Legacy (My Fortitude Riddim/2016)

  • Shift and Go Round (Outernational Message/2016)

  • Royal (Westend Sun Riddim/2016)

  • Fallen Soldier (Bro/2015)

  • Call On Jah (Ras Riddim/2015) 

  • Discipline (Fiyah Maka Riddim/2014)

  • More Than Average (United in One Heart/2014)

  • Watta Hi Grade (Kif Kif Riddim/2014)

  • I'll Be Praising Jah (RSTTW28/2014)

  • Rasta No CIA (Indo Riddim/2013)

  • Stand Firm (Troddin' East/2010)