released 10 March 2011
Acknowledgements

I’d firstly like to thank the man upstairs – upstairs because he was a lot closer than I thought he was initially, and his advice and guidance has been greatly needed.

I’d like to thank my brother Justin for firstly havin’ his foot up my arse and telling me when I’m procrastinating, but also for having so much enthusiasm in the project, ultimately giving me more courage to do what I enjoy and to be myself. Without you the project would not be where it is today. Thanks man.

Special thanks to the management team Nike Durosaro and Mike Cottom; Nike for being really available despite full-time commitments, dealing with many behind-the-scenes tasks, and for having the same musical mentality and being able to share the vision; Mike again for the time, but also for reiterating the “Can’t Fail” ideology (which has gotten me through many stressful studio sessions) – thank you both for being my reality checks and also for sharing the excitement.

Shout out to Reuben ‘Incisive’ Adamah for bearing with my occasional slight technical incompetency, helping with mixing, recording, and at times, also challenging me on the concept of the project, and in turn helping me have more clarity of the purpose of it all. Let’s show dem what a fishaman kyan do!

Kwame Charles – you design genius. Many thanks for taking your spare time to help me with the imagery, branding, themes, and many other visual concepts and ideas that helped Shakka Crown come to life. You really put a lot of effort and imagination into this, and for that I’m very thankful. We DEFINITELY have to do this again! Also thanks to Alex for throwing some ideas and questions into the mix. Definitely helped a lot.

Special thanks to Jason Lewis, Luke ‘GKid’ Grant, again Nike Durosaro, and good friend Sarah Joy Dawoud, for taking time out of your busy schedules to voluntarily work on this project with me, and for honest critical feedback. (Sarah, this is only the beginning, I assure you.) A big thank you to Nigel Ruwende, who, on such short notice, sorted me out with formal attire that would make Pierce Brosnan walk off in embarrassment. Styling couldn’t have been done any better. Kudos man. Also to Junior Kirton and Boyan Bojan for the time, effortless and genius performances, and also just simple interest and natural WANTING to add stuff and improvise. That’s hard to find, and I appreciate that.

And lastly, thanks to everyone else for the support and feedback. You have no idea how it keeps me goin’. I love you all man. Hold tight.