Iakopo

Last updated

iakopo
Birth nameJacob Scott Jones
Also known asRein Free, Keys of Creation, Kopo
Born30 Dec
Genres Reggae, hip hop
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Vocal
Labels Universal Music Japan,

Sony Music Japan, LionzShare, Island Empire,

Sony Music
Website Instagram

Twitter
YouTube iakopoMusic
YouTube iakopoDaily

SoundCloud

Jacob Scott Jones (born 30 December) better known as iakopo (pronunciation: yah-koh-po) is an international recording artist. Until 2010, he performed as "Keys of Creation" before starting his career as a solo artist and officially recording and performing music under the name iakopo.

Contents

Life and career

Early life

The second of six children born into a strict Mormon family, iakopo's journey started in Fountain Valley, California. During his formative years, iakopo was sent to the all boys facility, Paradise Cove Academy in Western Samoa. With such a diverse beginning, iakopo begin to flourish greatly in Samoa, ultimately being adopted by a Samoan family. As he adapted to island life, iakopo discovered a passion for nature and singing. While attending Pesega Church College in Western Samoa, iakopo sang with a local reggae band, covering Top 40 music. [1]

iakopo said about this time: Samoan culture taught me a lot about life and respect. It also helped nurture my vibe.

2000–2005: Growing as an artist

After graduating high school in 2000, iakopo left Samoa and returned to the US. As he brought his passion for music with him, iakopo started making demos, as well as selling mixtapes on the streets of cities across America. This led to him gaining credibility in the underground grassroots community under the name "Rein Free". In 2004 he self-released an album called Realization under that name. [2] The underground success of this album led to his first record deal offer in 2005. He refused that deal, choosing instead to rename himself Keys of Creation and release a new album called Let Your Light Shine.

2006–2010: Keys of Creation – Let Your Light Shine and Born To Win

Let Your Light Shine was influenced by artists such as Bob Marley. It was released by iakopo independently on 12 December 2006. The singles "Let Your Light Shine" and "Love Jah" made it to the top of reggae charts in the US, Hawaii, Polynesia, Asia and Europe. This success led to a record deal with 1980Entertainment, as well as iakopo sharing the stage with many influential reggae artists. [3] After an independent tour throughout Hawaii and West Coast America in 2007, he co-headlined the Summer Massive Tour in 2008, alongside Tribal Seeds. [4] He also was the opening act for Half Pint's 2008 concert in World Beat Center, San Diego, CA. [5] In 2009 he toured as support for Israel Vibrations, Junior Reid, Midnite, Collie Buddz and Messenga Selah. [6]

While touring, he wrote the album Born To Win. On this, iakopo focused on his island roots, as can be heard on the single "Heart of Polynesia". [7] This single was another No. 1 hit on Hawaiian radio stations, as well as winning the International Music Video Award for World Music 2008. [8] A dispute led to iakopo splitting with his label and deciding to start writing music under his own name.

2011 – 2014: iakopo – 808 Maui, Singles and One Forever

iakopo moved to Japan in 2010, after meeting his new manager in Maui, Hawaii. His manager put him in contact with Universal Music Japan, who signed him for the compilation CD 808 Maui. It contains four of iakopo's songs, including the single "By My Side" whose ‘Fallen’ riddim was produced by Citizen K and made it to the top of reggae charts in the UK. iakopo also released another song with Citizen K called "Be with me" on the 'Blindfold' riddim on 20 November 2011. The riddim is still a top featured one on fiweh as of 2 April 2012. [9] Universal also arranged a collaboration between iakopo and Infinity 16, which resulted in the single "Bounce", released 28 September 2011. The single sold 7,000 units on the release day, was the No. 1 sold single in Japan for 2 weeks and No. 1 on the Japanese mobile download charts. [10]

iakopo started his own label LionzShare.

On 12 December 2011 iakopo released his first single on LionzShare called 'FLY'. It was the No. 1 featured single on reggaezion for the whole first month after its release. [11] This was followed on 2 February 2012 by 'VIP'.

His released the single "Remedy" on 26 March 2012. It was produced by Citizen K and has backing vocals by Fiona. The single was featured on a number of blogs [12] [13] [14] and is iakopo's first single with an official video. 'Remedy' reached #2 on Betelnutradio.com. iakopo has also been featured and interviewed on LionsFace Radio from Amsterdam.

His follow-up single "Hot Summer" was released 18 June 2012. [15] Written by iakopo and produced by Soren 'Cash' Petersen at the LionzShare Studio. As of 30 August 2012, it was featured on the Pacific Top 20 for 4 weeks in a row and reached No. 5. [16]

Between 2013 and 2014, iakopo focused solely on music and introducing his style to the world. In 2013, iakopo launched his annual event "Island Fever" which brings a mix of Reggae and Environmentalism to Tokyo. After the success of "Island Fever", iakopo toured Hawaii in the summer of 2013. Following his return to Japan, singles "I Believe" and "When I See You Smile" (ft Kalisi) were released. By 2014, iakopo returned solidly to the studio to prepare for his fourth album. Releasing chart topping singles such as "One Forever", [17] "Whatcha Say" and "Tonite". To date the videos for "Tonite" and "One Forever" (which is also the title track) have garnered over 2 million views on YouTube and growing. In October 2014, iakopo officially released the One Forever album. [18]

2015 - present

2015 greeted iakopo with his biggest journey since his move to Japan, a career enlightening [19] trip to Jamaica. [20] After spending years in Japan under Universal, iakopo took to Jamaica on a musical exploration. As an avid lover and artist of Reggae Music, iakopo immersed himself with in the culture and raw sound present in the island of Jamaica.

Teaming up with Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage, iakopo released the single "Supernatural". [21] iakopo remains in Jamaica, partnering with Stylez of Blaze Ent Records alongside some of Jamaica's top producers, and working on his album The Introduction.

iakopo teamed up with Rvssian, the famous Jamaican dancehall producer, and created a hit song titled Touch Down featuring Shaggy. [22] [23] the song entered the U.S. Billboard dance charts top 100 debut at 41 and was the fastest bullet to #31 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Charts.

Discography

Song or Album
TitleYearType
Let Your Light Shine2006Album
Love Jah2006Single
Born To Win2009Album
Heart of Polynesia2009Single
By My Side2010Single
Bounce [24] 2011Single
Flying In Love2011Single
Living In Harmony2011Single
Rhythm of Love2011Single
Baby Girl2011Single
FLY [25] 2011Single
WINE SLOW2012Single
Tokyo Party2012Single
VIP [26] 2012Single
Remedy [27] 2012Single
Hot Summer [28] 2012Single
Break Free (feat. Lukie D) [29] 2012Single
Love Like This2012Single
When I See You Smile (feat. Kalisi)2013Single
I Believe2013Single
Lion Stylee2013Single
Another Rainbow (Pop Radio Edit)2013Single
Good Love2014Single
Let It Go2014Single
One Forever2014Album
Supernatural [30] 2015Single
Touch Down (Feat. Shaggy) [31] [32] 2015Single
The World Must Change (Feat. Jah Cure)2016Single
Free up the herb2016Single
Chant [33] 2016Single
In the Back [34] 2018Single
My Revolution [35] 2018Single
Never Letting Go [36] 2019Single
Sometimes2019Single
Brown Eyed Girl2019Single
Stay (feat. JOEY DJIA) [37] 2019Single
How We Do It [38] 2019Single
Late Night Call [39] 2019Single
Merry Like Christmas2019Single
Waves2019Album
Blue Skies2020Single
Switch Up [40] 2020Single
Rockaway [41] 2020Single
Diploma [42] 2020Single
Sugar Plum [43] 2020Single
Deja Vu2020Single
Closer to You (Feat. Sean Paul) [44] 2020Single
Fade Away (With. OZworld a.k.a. R'kuma, Wil Make-it) [45] 2020Single
What I Need2020Single
Back Forth (With. Joe Iron)2020Single
Alone2020Single
Single
Album <One Forever>
NO.Song
1Intro with Tokyonesians
2Break Free feat. Lukie D
3Whatcha Say
4One Forever
5I Believe
6When I See You Smile (feat. Kalisi)
7Love Like This
8Time Of Our Life
9Let It GO
10Here For You
11Tonite
12Chasing Rainbows
13Miracle
14Outro with Tokyonesians
15Bombonai (feat. Los Cativos)
Album <Waves>
NO.Song
1Easy
2Right Now (feat. Moi)
3In the Back
4The Wave
5Never Letting Go (feat. Yaccahmoe)
6On (feat. Bo Napoleon)
7WWYD (What Would You Do)
8My Revolution
9Warrior (No Worry Girl)
10Don't Mash Up the Vibe
11So Nice
12Legends
Featuring song
ArtistSongYear
PeacemekaRide With Us (feat. iakopo)2012
Eric GrayLife & You (feat. iakopo)2019
Francesco DeMeoThis Way (feat. iakopo)2019
Songs in compilation album
SongCompilation AlbumYear
MY EVERYTHINGSome Love 愛の唄2010
Rhythm of Love808 MAUI2011
Living in harmony808 MAUI2011
By My Side808 MAUI2011
Baby Girl808 MAUI2011
BOUNCEずっと君と…2011
My EverythingSome Love Riddim -23Productions2012
When I See You Smile (feat. Kalisi)HAWAIIAN CAFÉ 22017
My Love (feat. Lia Caribe)Nigel Angus Presents Dane Ray Danza2018
My Revolution [Explicit]Kingmaker: The Chronicles2019
Find My Way [Explicit]Kingmaker: The Chronicles2019
KingQuarantine2020
I Love Your BodyQuarantine2020

Awards

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References

  1. ↑ "the Artist known as Iakopo (the KRucial Interview)". archive.is. 8 September 2012. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  2. ↑ "Realization – Tanan the Infinite". Tanan the Infinite. 29 August 2003. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Keys of Creation – Let Your Light Shine CD Album". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "SUMMER MASSIVE 2007, July 21, 2007 at See Description for Location TBA – Clubvibes". Clubvibes.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Prime Picks – The San Diego Union-Tribune". Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Reggae Music live at WorldBeat Center- Midnite Roots Reggae from St. Croix - San Diego - tribe.net". Sandiego.tribe.net. 15 March 2008. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Keys of Creation – Born to Win CD Album". Cduniverse.com. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Past iMVA Winners & Top Videos". 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 1 September 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  9. ↑ "J-Dung Radio Music Submission – Music, TV Shows, Events, Venues, Business". Music.fiweb.com. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "UNIVERSAL J のトップページ – UNIVERSAL MUSIC JAPAN". Universal-music.co.jp. Archived from the original on 9 December 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  11. ↑ "レゲエザイオン(REGGAE ZION)｜iPhone・スマホ『レゲエZION』". Info.reggaezion.jp. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  12. ↑ "Iakopo "Remedy" [reggae riddims] ~ ESSINCE™". Essince.com. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  13. ↑ "Iakopo - Remedy Music Video - Maori Music - Island Beats.TV". 13 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  14. ↑ "New Artist Spotlight: Lakopo - "Remedy" | Dancehall Usa Online Magazine". 12 September 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  15. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Hot Summer – Single by Iakopo". iTunes. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  16. ↑ "This week's Pacific Top20". Top20pacifique.com. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  17. ↑ "iakopo One Forever Music Video - Indie Giants | The UK Music Blog". Indie Giants. 31 October 2014. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Iakopo "One Forever" CD". CDJapan. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "iakopo Shares His 7 Most Beautiful Jamaican Experiences". iReggaeNation. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "Iakopo Makes Reggae Connections While In JA". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  21. ↑ "iakopo Releases "Supernatural"". Jamaica Star. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  22. ↑ "Iakopo: International Reggae Star Touches Down in the U.S." NBC News. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  23. ↑ Longeretta, Emily (10 March 2016). "Iakopo Debuts Sexy 'Touchdown' Music Video Feat. Shaggy — Watch". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  24. ↑ "Bounce – Iakopo". Iakopo. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  25. ↑ "FLY – Iakopo". Iakopo. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2014. Singles
  26. ↑ "VIP – Iakopo". Iakopo. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  27. ↑ "Remedy – Iakopo". Iakopo. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  28. ↑ "Hot Summer – Iakopo". Iakopo. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  29. ↑ "Break Free – Iakopo". Iakopo. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  30. ↑ "YouTube - SuperNatural - iakopo (Official Music Video)".[ dead YouTube link ]
  31. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo - Touch Down ft. Shaggy (Music Video)". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  32. ↑ "YouTube - Iakopo - Touchdown (Acoustic)".
  33. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo - CHANT (Water Protectors)". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  34. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo - In The Back (Official Music Video)". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  35. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo - My Revolution".
  36. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo - Never Letting Go ft. Yaccahmoe". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  37. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo x Drei Ros - Stay (ft. Joey Djia)". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  38. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo x Future Fambo - How We Do It". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  39. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo x Rvssian - Late Night Call". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  40. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo - Switch Up (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  41. ↑ "YouTube - Rockaway - iakopo (Official Rockaway Audio Video) Produced By Rvssian". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  42. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo - Diploma". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  43. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo - Sugar Plum (Rvssian)". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  44. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo, Sean Paul, Mugeez (R2bees), Drei Ros [ Closer To You ]". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  45. ↑ "YouTube - iakopo, OZworld, Wil Make-it [ Fade Away ] Audio Visualizer". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
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