Stoneface Priest: A Roots Reggae Journey From Meru to the World

From writing songs as a teenager in Kenya to building a catalogue of roots reggae over three decades, Stoneface Priest has continued to pursue a musical path shaped by patience, perseverance and a commitment to the genre.

For Kenyan roots reggae artist Stoneface Priest, the journey into music began long before the recording studios, album releases and festival stages. It started in Meru, where a young Charles Adams Majau began composing songs during his high school years, carrying a musical ambition that would take years to develop into a recording career.

Born on March 29, 1977, Majau, known professionally as Stoneface Priest and also called “The Roots Man,” discovered his inspiration in the music of Jamaican reggae singer Don Carlos. In 1993, influenced by the artist’s sound, he began writing his own material, laying the foundation for a career that would span decades.

At the time, however, pursuing music in Meru presented a practical obstacle: recording studios were unavailable in the area. Rather than abandoning his ambitions, Stoneface Priest continued writing songs and waited for an opportunity to take his music further.

That opportunity came in 1999, when he joined Kenya Utalii College and moved to Nairobi. The relocation brought him closer to the infrastructure he needed to begin recording.

From songwriting to the recording studio

Stoneface Priest recorded his debut single, “Lonely,” in 2004 at Wilnag Studios, working with engineer General Onyx. After recording another track, he moved to Vineyard Records in Buruburu, Nairobi, where he completed his first album, Warrior, with Dr Eddy serving as engineer.

Released in 2006, Warrior marked an important step in the development of his recording career. His second album, Pressure, followed in 2008, produced at Music Empire Studios in Zimmerman under the direction of Lambho the Beat Master.

The early releases, however, did not achieve the commercial results he had hoped for. In 2009, Stoneface Priest moved to Mombasa after securing full-time employment, later relocating to Meru town in 2012.

Balancing employment and music became increasingly difficult, forcing his musical activities to slow down. The interruption did not mark the end of his ambitions, but it represented a period in which pursuing a recording career had to compete with the demands of earning a living.

By 2015, he had resumed releasing singles, this time through his own musical venture, Linkingstone Music. The move gave him a platform to continue putting out material while managing his professional responsibilities.

Building a catalogue on his own terms

Since returning to regular releases, Stoneface Priest has continued developing his catalogue through a series of singles, including “Wolf in a Sheepskin,” “Africa Be Wise,” “After Pride Come Fall,” “The Plan,” “Do Good Today,” “Roots Man,” “Shera” and “You.”

The titles reflect recurring themes associated with roots reggae, including social awareness, personal conduct and cultural identity. His catalogue also includes “Nelson Mandela,” “Forward,” “Mind Your Tongue” and “A Gathering,” alongside other recordings listed in his press kit.

His work has extended beyond Kenya through collaborations with international reggae producers and musicians. Among the names associated with his career are French producer Marshall Neeko, Irie Ites Records, Gidimani Records, Calibration Alert, Dr Traska, Black Omolo, Natty Konshanz and Uwe Banton.

One significant collaboration came through his work with Marshall Neeko on Keys to the Gates, a 12-track album. The project brought the Kenyan artist together with a producer from France, extending his recording work beyond his home country’s music scene.

Taking Kenyan reggae to the stage

Stoneface Priest’s career has also included performances at major events in Kenya. His press kit identifies the Africa Bound Summer Fest 2023, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre grounds in Nairobi, among his performance highlights.

He has also performed at Kenya’s 60th anniversary Jamboree Festival.

His stage experience includes serving as a curtain raiser for international reggae acts such as Mighty Culture, Luciano, Glen Washington and Everton Blender. These performances placed him on bills alongside established names in reggae, providing opportunities to present his music to audiences attending major events.

Looking toward the next chapter

Stoneface Priest’s career has unfolded through several stages: early songwriting in Meru, his first recordings in Nairobi, the challenges of balancing employment with music, and a return to releasing singles through Linkingstone Music.

Rather than following a continuous recording schedule, his path has been shaped by the circumstances surrounding his life and work. Yet his continued releases and collaborations demonstrate an ongoing commitment to making music.

The artist has also outlined plans for another album, which his electronic press kit identifies as a project intended for release in 2026.

For Stoneface Priest, the journey from a teenager writing songs in Meru to a recording artist working with collaborators across borders has been a long one. His story is not simply about the albums released or the stages performed on, but about sustaining a musical ambition through years of change.

With a catalogue spanning multiple albums and singles, and further work planned, Stoneface Priest continues to build on the roots reggae foundation that first inspired him more than three decades ago.