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Karen Morrison, professionally known in the Reggae industry as “K Vibes” is a gifted song stylist and writer with a firm grasp on her Jamaican culture that reflects strongly in her distinctive soulful singing style. Deeply influenced by the musical genius of artists such as Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Lauryn Hill, Jim Reeves and Billie Holiday, K Vibes artfully fuses together the genres of Reggae, Gospel and Jazz. She delights audiences with original music that is an unforgettable blend of electrifying melodies and musical commentary true to the tradition of Reggae music.
Raised in New York City in a large Jamaican family and the second youngest of six children, at an early age K Vibes held a passion for Reggae music. She began singing with a local sound system in the Crown Heights neighborhood where she grew up, under the name of K Vibes. It was then that she first met artists like Screechy Dan and Knight Rider of Vital 2000 who encouraged her to move to the next level of professionalism as a vocalist and song writer and not take her talent for granted. A defining moment occurred in 1992 during a visit to Sir Tommy’s Recording & Dub Studio in New York where K Vibes made her very first recording.
By 1996, K Vibes began receiving rave reviews for her first recorded single (released under the name Karen Morrison) entitled Raggamuffin Soldier with the popular UK producer Val Saunders, (a.k.a/ Digital English); this was closely followed by the recording How Long Shall The Wicked Reign on the same label. With growing popularity, in 1997 she recorded two additional releases for the Don One Sound Recording Company entitled Who God Bless, released on a 7 inch single, and then Sister Sister, released on the compilation CD New York New York, Volume 1, using for the first time the stage name K Vibes.
K Vibes explains that “my first true inspiration as a Reggae artist occurred after meeting the late great Clement Coxsone Dodd, CEO and producer of the famed Studio One in Jamaica West Indies.” Impressed with her vocal skills and powerful lyrics Mr. Dodd encouraged K Vibes to work professionally. He recorded her original lyrics releasing Bye-Bye Rebel, on Studio Ones Dancehall 14 Current Hits Selections. As a Studio One artist, K Vibes also recorded the soundclash favorite Frenemies that among numerous international reviews included a particularly generous mention in the famous French Reggae publication Natty Dread Magazine.
In 2008 K Vibes began performing extensively on the NY Reggae circuit working with professional Reggae musicians such as the One Drop Band, Cannabis Cup Band, Ruff Stuff Band and the A-Team Band, to name a few. Since then, her concert stage experience includes Central Park Summerstage, the Annual Dennis Brown Memorial Show staged by industry professionals, the Annual Bob Marley Birthday Celebration at BB Kings, Gospelsplash, Baba Roots 1st Annual Tribute To Women In Reggae. Most recently K Vibes has performed in Jamaica West Indies at the Redemption Emancipation Celebration concert and Sunday Nice 1980’s Flashback in NYC. K Vibes has also been an opening act for celebrity artists Luciano and Maxi Priest and shared the stage with many others such as Ed Robinson, Papa San, Lt. Stitchie, Shelly Thunder and I Wayne. An artist with a deep sense of community, K Vibes has professionally supported numerous shows for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission and the production company Black Unity in Jamaica, West Indies. In 2009 Jamaica West Indies, she won (Big Tune) of the week on What’s The Verdict Radio 96.1 Roots FM and was a featured artist on Caribbean Billboard TV, the longest running and respected cable show in New York featuring caribbean music.
Additional noteworthy recordings are produced under the Manila Jeepney label entitled, Me & My Man (2004) Ghetto Cry (2007 combination with Lloy-D-Stiff on the Noni Musik label) and Deal with Love (2008 on the Ghetto Roots label). Through inspirational lyrics and songs, K Vibes most recent release is on the Manila Jeepney Record Label entitled Calling Up For Love(2009). At present this talented vocalist/songwriter can be found hard at work in the studio completing her first album scheduled for release in 2010.
K Vibes is currently managed by Realrow Entertainment, New York. For bookings and interviews please contact Realrow Entertainment at 646-708-2005 or via E-mail at realrowentertainment@gmail.com.
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English
