By Anil Batra
The Lower East Side’s Mercury Lounge transformed into a Kingston-style dancehall on Monday the 12th of May, as Jamaican reggae star Keznamdi delivered a scorching performance showcasing his classic hits and exciting new material.
Keznamdi, son of reggae royalty Chakula (Errol McDonald) and Goldilocks (Kerida McDonald), demonstrated why he’s become one of the genre’s most dynamic young voices. The evening’s emotional peak came during his performance of “So Right”, with the artist’s velvet vocals floating over the band’s airtight groove as the entire crowd sang along to the chorus: “Feeling so right, yeah/Everything irie tonight.”
But it was the premiere of “Burn the Herb”, his fiery new collaboration with dancehall legend Movado, that brought true lightning to the room. Though Movado wasn’t physically present, Keznamdi’s blistering delivery of the dancehall star’s verses sent shockwaves through the audience. The track’s pulsing rhythms and rebellious lyrics (“Light it up, pass it round/Natural healing inna di ground”) transformed the standing-room-only crowd into a sea of bouncing silhouettes.
Backed by his impeccable five-piece band, Keznamdi masterfully balanced the set between soulful moments and high-energy bangers. The transition from the mellow vibes of “So Right” to the incendiary new single demonstrated his impressive range, moving from lovers rock to militant dancehall with effortless command.
A surprise collaboration with musician & actor, Hector Roots Lewis @HectorRootsLewis, sent ripples of excitement through the packed room. The chemistry between performers was palpable, a testament to Keznamdi’s growing status within New York’s Caribbean music community.
As smoke from the imaginary herb referenced in his new single seemed to linger in the air, Keznamdi exited through the cheering crowd rather than retreating backstage. Fans left buzzing about both the nostalgic comfort of his established hits and the thrilling promise of “Burn the Herb”, which suggests exciting directions for this rising star’s next chapter.
In an era where genre boundaries increasingly blur into irrelevance, Keznamdi stands as a reminder of reggae’s enduring power to unite and uplift. His performance wasn’t just a concert; it was a communion between artist and audience, tradition and innovation, Jamaica and New York.
Anil Batra @PicatraMusicJournal attended Keznamdi at Mercury Lounge, Lower East Side, on May 12th, 2025
Photography by RootsmanChin.com
