Supakeith

Born and raised in the legendary community of Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica — the birthplace of the great Bob Marley himself — Keith Blake, professionally known as Supakeith, grew up surrounded by the kind of musical richness that only Trench Town can produce. From the very streets that shaped reggae music’s greatest icon, Supakeith developed a deep and unwavering passion for music that would define his entire life.

As a teenager Keith moved to Spanish Town where his musical journey took its first major step — joining a local marching band as both drummer and bugler. It was here, in the rhythms of the band, that fate introduced him to the legendary Emperor Ricky Trooper — a meeting that would change everything.

Keith and Trooper forged a strong friendship in the early 1990s, just as Trooper was establishing himself as the top selector with the world famous Kilimanjaro Sound System. Through Trooper’s guidance Keith got his start with Jaro — lifting speaker boxes, rolling out speaker wires and dusting records to be played. Humble beginnings, but the foundation of something great.

Before long Keith was travelling daily with Trooper, immersing himself in the world of custom songs and dubplates — working directly with artists and learning the art of sound system culture from the inside. Travelling overseas with Kilimanjaro Sound System, Keith was exposed to the highest level of the game, and he absorbed every lesson.