Iakopo (born 30 December) (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.
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.
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. 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. After an independent tour throughout Hawaii and West Coast America in 2007, he co-headlined the Summer Massive Tour in 2008, alongside Tribal Seeds. He also was the opening act for Half Pint's 2008 concert in World Beat Center, San Diego, CA. In 2009 he toured as support for Israel Vibrations, Junior Reid, Midnite, Collie Buddz and Messenga Selah.
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". This single was another No. 1 hit on Hawaiian radio stations, as well as winning the International Music Video Award for World Music 2008. 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. 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.
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. 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 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. 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.
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", "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.
2015 - present In early 2015, iakopo took a trip to Jamaicaon a musical exploration. As a fan and artist of Reggae Music, iakopo engaged himself within the culture and music present in Jamaica.
Teaming up with Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage, iakopo released the single "Supernatural". 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. 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 Title Year TypeLet Your Light Shine 2006 AlbumLove Jah2006SingleBorn To Win 2009 AlbumHeart of Polynesia 2009 SingleBy My Side 2010 SingleBounce 2011 Single Flying In Love2011SingleLiving In Harmony2011SingleRhythm of Love2011SingleBaby Girl2011SingleFLY Singles 2011 SingleWINE SLOW2012SingleTokyo Party2012SingleVIP 2012 SingleRemedy 2012 SingleHot Summer 2012 SingleBreak Free (feat. Lukie D) 2012 SingleLove Like This 2012 SingleWhen I See You Smile (feat. Kalisi) 2013 SingleI Believe 2013 SingleLion Stylee2013SingleAnother Rainbow (Pop Radio Edit)2013SingleGood Love2014SingleLet It Go2014SingleOne Forever 2014 AlbumSupernatural 2015 SingleTouch Down (Feat. Shaggy) 2015 SingleThe World Must Change (Feat. Jah Cure) 2016 SingleFree up the herb 2016 SingleChant 2016 SingleIn the Back 2018 SingleMy Revolution 2018 Single Never Letting Go 2019 SingleSometimes2019SingleBrown Eyed Girl2019SingleStay (feat. JOEY DJIA)2019SingleHow We Do It2019SingleLate Night Call2019SingleMerry Like Christmas2019SingleWaves2019AlbumBlue Skies2020SingleSwitch Up2020SingleRockaway2020SingleDiploma2020SingleSugar Plum2020SingleDeja Vu2020SingleCloser to You (Feat. Sean Paul)2020SingleFade Away (With. OZworld a.k.a. R'kuma, Wil Make-it)2020SingleWhat I Need2020SingleBack Forth (With. Joe Iron)2020SingleAlone2020Single Single
Album <One Forever> NO. Song1 Intro with Tokyonesians2Break Free feat. Lukie D3Whatcha Say4One Forever5I Believe6When I See You Smile (feat. Kalisi)7Love Like This8Time Of Our Life9Let It GO10Here For You11Tonite12Chasing Rainbows13Miracle14Outro with Tokyonesians15Bombonai (feat. Los Cativos)
Album <Waves> NO. Song1 Easy2Right Now (feat. Moi)3In the Back4The Wave5Never Letting Go (feat. Yaccahmoe)6On (feat. Bo Napoleon)7WWYD (What Would You Do)8My Revolution9Warrior (No Worry Girl)10Don't Mash Up the Vibe11So Nice12Legends
Featuring song Artist Song YearPeacemeka Ride With Us (feat. iakopo) 2012Eric GrayLife & You (feat. iakopo)2019Francesco DeMeoThis Way (feat. iakopo)2019
Songs in compilation album Song Compilation Album YearMY EVERYTHINGSome Love 愛の唄2010Rhythm of Love808 MAUI2011Living in harmony808 MAUI2011By My Side808 MAUI2011Baby Girl808 MAUI2011BOUNCEずっと君と...2011My EverythingSome Love Riddim -23Productions2012When I See You Smile (feat. Kalisi)HAWAIIAN CAFÉ 22017My Love (feat. Lia Caribe)Nigel Angus Presents Dane Ray Danza2018My Revolution [Explicit]Kingmaker: The Chronicles2019Find My Way [Explicit]Kingmaker: The Chronicles2019King Quarantine 2020I Love Your BodyQuarantine2020
Awards International Music Video Awards Best World Music Video 'Heart of Polynesia’ Billboard Top 40 Dance 'Touch Down'
External links
Instagram: @iakopomusic Twitter: @iakopomusic YouTube Official Channel: iakopoMusic YouTube Daily Channel: iakopoDaily SoundCloud: iakopo
References