Found in the Inbox: Tafari Lives Up to the Name on “Unforgettable”

Zambo Buchanan, known as Tafari, a name that means “Fearless One,” was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to Joan Porteous and the legendary reggae artist Big Youth, whom the Rive Video Promotion campaign for “Unforgettable” calls a dancehall pioneer and a founding father of hip-hop. “Inspired by a musical father, it is only right for a son to follow tradition,” Tafari says.

From reggae rapper to artist

“As the boy becomes a man the musical growth and inspiration heightens,” Tafari explains. “I transcended from a reggae rapper to Tafari the Artist who is inspired by great artists of many genres such as Tupac, Sade, Stevie Wonder, Big Youth, Marvin Gaye, Dennis Brown, Jay Z, and Bob Marley.” With producers Noah Mason and Brett “Beats” Bailey, Tafari fuses soul, hip-hop and reggae into one sound, in an industry the campaign calls reluctant to experiment with reggae.

Charts, film and an independent label

Tafari has toured the world with Big Youth across the US, UK, Europe and South America. The albums Rud3 Lov3 and Desire Fulfilled both topped the iTunes reggae chart, with Desire Fulfilled debuting at No. 9 on Billboard’s reggae chart, and two songs appeared in John Singleton’s film Illegal Tender. Tafari now runs an independent label, Rud3 Music Recordings.

Why it was in the inbox

A famous last name can be a shortcut or a shadow. “Unforgettable” is Tafari stepping out of it.

Watch the official video

Quotes and release details from Rive Video Promotion’s campaign for “Unforgettable.” This feature updates Exposed Vocals’ original February 2017 post.