“Always impressed when artists are able to transcend genres and musical ideas, allowing their personality and unique approach to truly shine through their sound. This is definitely the case of Jaewar & Vibe Riot.”
— Peter Vidani
The Daily Progress - PULSE
Jaewar and Vibe Riot creating buzz with a sound that unites genres
"For Vibe Riot, that can be everything from jazz-inflected hip-hop to a deep reggae groove to a slow R&B burner to a track that beautifully blends all of the other tracks together. It’s a thick, mashed-up kind of sound that, combined with the group’s infectious and spirited live performances, has been creating a noticeable buzz in the local music scene for the past five years."
- Robert Ham, correspondent for The Daily Progress.
Photo by Melody Robbins.
Apropos Of Something
Diversity’s Gotta Dance Beat & Craft Beer’s On Tap
Apropos Of Something hosts Ellen Daniels and Nancy Laurence talk with the musician Jaewar, front man for Vibe Riot, director of Vibe Fest, activist, engineer, producer, on using music to advance positive change, both locally and globally; and Lee Graves, award-winning columnist, essayist and author, on all that’s brewing in craft beers. From colonial days to its golden age.
C-ville Weekly: Vibe Riot Wants to Know What's On Your Mind
[CLICK FOR FULL TEXT] 'Jay "Jaewar" King fronts local hip-hop/reggae/rock/go-go band @viberiot that plays @vibefestcville at @ixartpart on Friday. Jaewar has a certain hope for what his music might accomplish: “If I could have my wish...I would be the Bob Marley of hip-hop...have this music be a force that has political influence and be able to [use that] for good.” With @vibefestcville, Jaewar is making a particular effort “not to leave Charlottesville’s underrepresented underrepresented again.” Music “is a language that we all use,” he says. “We might not speak the same language, but we can still rock to the same beat.”'- Erin O'Hare 2.28.2018 6:06 AM
BELLA MAGAZINE: EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: XE JAH’TWI
[CLICK FOR FULL TEXT] Her voice makes every conversation pause in a venue.Xe Jah’Twi, or Xena, is a lead vocalist with Vibe Riot, an East Coast Indie band with a Bluesy Funk Ragga Rock sound unlike anyone else. She gives her best to every performance, and what results is a remarkable presentation indicative of both her talent and her natural chemistry with the band. Of course, long before Xena took the stage with Vibe Riot, music was her passion. As a child, Xena watched her father become an integral part of the music world while working in promotions.
She fell in love with music in the 1980s, specifically Salt-N-Pepa. Their strong personalities as women, the rapping, the music, the female DJ—to Xena, they had everything. Dancing began to call to her as well, and ultimately solidified her connection to the art. “I wanted so badly to be a background dancer,” she recalls. “but I was too shy to bring it up.”
- HAYLEIGH WORGAN FEBRUARY 12, 2018
The Focus Magazine
#EXCLUSIVEINDIE - JAEWAR - INDEPENDENT ARTIST OF THE MONTH [CLICK FOR FULL TEXT] Jaewar is a born entertainer for sure. The Jamaican-Haitian-American producer, engineer, and frontman for VIBE RIOT offers a full package as Creative Director for ALTER NATIV LLC. The Brooklyn-born lyrcist was raised in the "757" area of VA, and holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in engineering, earned at Virginia Tech. This unique combination of influences, humbleness, and a perfectionist's approach to his love for reggae and hip-hop have taken the sounds created by his funk rock soul band Vibe Riot internationally. "Hayleigh Worgan writes, 'In addition to the sultry sounds that invite listeners to dance and unwind, Jaewar, frontman and songwriter, does not avoid using his poetic aptitude to address current issues. He encouraged the participation of the audience in “Waddup” from his latest EP, “True! Raw Honey.” With their full attention, he called on the crowd to be aware of what is happening in the world, to recognize their responsibility to stay informed, and to stand up to those in support of hateful, racist rhetoric and violence. There is so much to consider in every word of this song, but especially the crucial line, “If it ain’t one love, it’s war.” ' "
Jaewar & Vibe Riot - "Rise Up and Love More"
Charlottesville is a city pulsating with love for music. Despite the sudden drop in temperature on November 10, a line led out from the Violet Crown Theatre into the Downtown Mall for a special showing of “Word is Bond,” a film exploring the “transformative power of lyrics in the world of hip-hop.” The soft hum of excited voices filled the open space, only momentarily interrupted by a small child playing her harmonica for a sibling as their family walked to their next destination. A block away, in The Ante Room, Jaewar & Vibe Riot were preparing for their rescheduled performance, “Rise Up and Love More.” Although The Ante Room is a frequent stop for Vibe Riot, this night was special. The original show, scheduled for August 12, was postponed after Neo-Nazis and KKK members marched into Charlottesville to demonstrate. The violence that ensued caused three people to lose their lives that day. “Rise Up and Love More” was more than a concert. It was a response calling for unity that continues to echo throughout the healing city. As fans began to fill the intimate venue, band members took turns going over the set list and making their way around the room to make everyone feel welcome. Vibe Riot’s connection and dedication to the community enhance the experience, but their talent speaks for itself. In addition to the sultry sounds that invite listeners to dance and unwind, Jaewar, frontman and songwriter, does not avoid using his poetic aptitude to address current issues. He encouraged the participation of the audience in “Waddup” from his latest EP, “True! Raw Honey.” With their full attention, he called on the crowd to be aware of what is happening in the world, to recognize their responsibility to stay informed, and to stand up to those in support of hateful, racist rhetoric and violence. There is so much to consider in every word of this song, but especially the crucial line, “If it ain’t one love, it’s war.” It was almost impossible to not be mesmerized by Xe Jah’Twi. Her voice alone was captivating, and her immersion into every song lit up the room with an energy that was contagious. “They said I brought a little heat today,” she laughed between numbers. Ultimately, every person on stage brought a little heat of their own, which is exactly what the audience needed. Blues and jazz guitarist Jamal Millner joined Vibe Riot for this performance, and when he began to play there were gasps all around the room. With a six-string bass, Tim Burnett added his own funky rhythm to the sound. The result was a show that also unified diverse musical backgrounds, providing that infusion of jazz, reggae, hip hop, and blues-rock for which Jaewar & Vibe Riot are known. By the end of the show, the packed venue was full of fans begging for just one more song. The musicians’ smiles lit up the stage with love and appreciation that will likely carry them through their upcoming weeks in the studio. Check out their website, www.viberiot.com, for updated information on new releases and future tour dates. Hayleigh Worgan
TRUE! RAW HONEY EP - REVIEW
TONEFLAME - REVIEW
BUDDHAMAN'S MUSICIANS CORNER - INTERVIEW
THE EDGE - INTERVIEW
HOME GROWN - PANEL DISCUSSION