Kiddus I began his music career with Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus as a percussionist and harmonist. It was there, in 1971, that he met a musician who would accompany him for a long time: guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith. He then embarked on a solo singing career and started making a name for himself in Jamaica.
He recorded his hit "Graduation in Zion" in 1974 at Harry J's studio. Producer Jack Ruby attended the recording with Ted Bafaloukos, the future director of the film Rockers. When Bafaloukos heard Kiddus I, he said: "I want this song in my film." He then asked Kiddus I not to release his song until the film's shoot. Kiddus agreed, and two years later, he re-recorded "Graduation in Zion" in the same studio. This resulted in the iconic scene from that must-watch film for reggae enthusiasts. Kiddus I was now popular. Later, he recorded his album Graduation in Zion, which was finally released in 2007 thanks to the Japanese label Dub Store.
Nevertheless, he recorded many singles in the 1970s, such as "Fire Burn" in 1975 and "Security in the Streets," released in 1978 on his own label, Shepherd. But Kiddus is not one to hold back his words; on stage, he delivered fiery political speeches that displeased the reggae community. As a result, studio doors closed for him, and he never managed to replicate the success of Graduation in Zion.
However, some artists, like Earl "Chinna" Smith, continued to support him, and in 2000, he participated in the Inna de Yard project initiated by the French label Makasound. In 2005, Makasound even gave him his own Inna de Yard album. Kiddus' career remains forever marked by his one major hit, Graduation in Zion, but today, he has come out of his shell, and we may soon be hearing about him all over the world. No, it won’t be too long!
