Ras Mikey

Ras Mikey born Michael Gamboa is an early pioneer of Reggae Music in Southern California and Hawaii. Cultivating authentic, classic, timeless Reggae Music that he has been writing, recording, producing, and performing since the early '90s, Ras Mikey always comes fe rock up the dance with positive vibes and conscious Reggae Music rooted in Sound System Culture. In the tradition of foundation Reggae Singers and DJs he performs with a live band or inna Sound System style or more often as the mic man for Solomonic Sound System Hawaii.

Having spent his formative years in the Surf/Skate Youth Culture of late 80s/early 90s Southern California, he rode for and represented the 3rd Generation of Z-Boys under George Wilson. During those days the sounds of Punk & Hip Hop were prevalent of course, but to Ras Mikey, the various eras and styles of Jamaican Music including Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Dub, and Dancehall were much more sonically pleasing and inspirational. He spent these early music years immersed in his adoption of the Rastafari Livity and Jamaican Sound System Culture. This influence would spark a lifelong mission to create a legacy of powerful Reggae Music that he could call his own, while keeping the Roots of Reggae and Sound System Culture alive outside of its homeland Jamaica. His musical calling would begin with his first band ISOULJAHS, which he formed in 1992 with a group of childhood friends from Santa Ana and Costa Mesa. They would go on to release 2 albums and various singles, touring, and promoting, performing live throughout the West Coast and Hawaii for over 20 years. His connection to the skateboard world would also find his songs being placed in early skate, surf, and skimboard videos which brought him international exposure.

Over the years Ras Mikey has largely gained his following through his strong live shows at clubs, concerts, showcases, festivals, and tours – consistently playing, performing, and touring throughout Hawaii, California, and the Western portion of the US continent and is looking forward to reaching out to new audiences in other regions.

Throughout the years he has released various singles and collaborations for a few producers and artists as well as his solo work and those with ISOULJAHS.

He first broke in to the Jawaiian/ Island Reggae music scene as a solo artist in 2000, unexpectedly. While still living in California, a close friend connected him with a Hawaii Music Producer in L.A. that needed an artist to bring some authentic Reggae vibes to his production of a cover of ABBA’s All That She Wants with the all girl group Anime FX. Though not his first choice of songs to record, it was his first payed studio gig, and his vocal delivery showed his adaptability, versatility, and creativity. This single was released under his given name, Mikey Gamboa, in Hawaii on the compilation 98.5 Island Rhythm by Global Sounds International.

In 2004 he released a 7” Single record , Wadada under the name I-Key & Natty Roots in collaboration with Junior Reid’s JR Productions label out of Jamaica. Printed in limited amounts, this 7 inch vinyl record is a rare find for today’s Reggae Collectors.

He recorded Keep the Faith for Producer Jimmy Cui’s Rumble Rock Records in 2011 along with various artists including Anthony B on the Step by Step Riddim.

His debut solo album, Heart of Love was released in 2012 which found him collaborating with veteran artists and musicians such as Mykal Rose, Pressure Buss Pipe, Sidney Mills and Wayne “C#” Clarke of Steel Pulse, Pablove Black, Sharon Forrester, Sam Ites as well as members of ISOULJAHS. Recorded at Soul Sound Studios Hawaii.

In 2014 he was featured on Maryanne Ito’s “How I Feel” with Jemere Morgan of Morgan Heritage Family. The song is a Dub Reggae remix version of the R&B/Soul singer’s hit song.

After a short hiatus from the business, Ras Mikey is back to bring forth some crucial roots music to the masses.

2021 saw the release of 2 versions of King Sound produced by Sam Ites/ Ites Productions and in 2022 the King Sound Hip Hop Remix and Video were produced by Quique Cruz who is also featured on the track.

The early 2023 release “Polytricks Man” is the first of many upcoming releases, this one produced by the BDB Collective, a collective group of producers, musicians, and artists organized by Ras Mikey. This and other new music is gearing up for release as Mikey continues to bring his unique voice and sound to the world and the current stage of Reggae Music and the Industry.