Fortunate Youth is a collaboration of South Bay Reggae stand-outs. Rising from various bands, they’ve created a phenomenal 7-piece masterpiece bringing more fire to the stage than ever before. Combining rootsy vibes and unique bass lines united with multiple harmonies, boisterous guitar solos, and heavy keys separates Fortunate Youth from every other mainstream Reggae band. With their high energy approach and positive stage presence they provide an unforgettable show to every music fan. Fortunate Youth’s objective is to ensure a performance that leaves you feeling euphoric and curious of what might happen at the next show.
In 2011 they supported Tribal Seeds on their nationwide Tribal Youth Tour to spread their conscious music to the nation. F.Y. linked up The Green, from Hawaii, for a Midwest/Westcoast run before jumping back in the studio to record. They have hit the masses promoting only their 6-song EP titled “Up-Lifted EP” and just released their full-length album, “IRIE STATE OF MIND” on July 1, 2011. Fortunate Youth will also be touring very heavily through 2011 including a Naitonwide CD Release Summer Tour.

Upon Releasing their full-length album they quickly rose to #2 on the iTunes Reggae Charts and also locked in a #13 position on Billboard Top 100 Reggae Albums. Receiving great praise for early success Fortunate Youth strives to spread their interpretation of Reggae music to Music Lovers worldwide.

They have had the honor to share the stage with bands such as Groundation, Toots & The Maytals, The Green, The Wailers, Katchafire, Tribal Seeds, The Expendables, Pepper, Dirty Heads, Natural Vibrations, Tomorrows Bad Seeds and Sashamon.

Imagine a roots-reggae sound accompanied by a soulful, yet pop-like voice with the ability to match an acoustic setting while also being capable of freestyling to a skanking rhythm and you are left with… HIRIE.
Led by HIRIE on vocals, the female-fronted band stormed onto the reggae music scene in 2013 with the release of their first single, “Sensi Boy.” HIRIE’s debut self-titled album was released on September 3rd, 2013, and reached number 4 on the iTunes Reggae Chart in its first day. Nominated for San Diego’s best World Music Award, the band has enjoyed further success as the music video for the popular, “Sensi Boy,” has reached over 150,000 views on YouTube. That same single, along with a few other tracks, have received constant airplay on all major Hawaiian Islands, as well as local and college stations around the United States, Guam, New Zealand, Tahiti and more.
The immediate success of the band’s first full-length album created a label for HIRIE as reggae’s newest female sensation on the rise. As a result, the 7-piece band received an invitation to join two of California’s hottest reggae acts on the road for the “Tribal Youth Fall Tour 2013.” Upon completion of their first nationwide tour, demands for a strong and dedicated female-fronted band continued as HIRIE was sought out to provide entertainment at some of the most popular venues and festivals around the United States. Most recently, the band took stage in front of an estimated 2,500 fans to kick off day three of the 5th annual California Roots Music and Arts festival.
HIRIE’s live set provides those in attendance with a performance that guarantees to please and leaves the fans wanting more. With the exception of an acoustic song or two, HIRIE can be seen on stage feeding off the energy of the band and the crowd, as she spends a majority of her time dancing across any platform while she sings. From a core rhythm section with drums, keys and bass, to a highly energetic horn section, HIRIE has quickly mastered a formula to gain new fans with each opportunity they are given on stage, regardless of the crowd’s musical preference. The band’s appreciation for her tone and body language, carries over beautifully as their synchronized dancing and contagious melodic lines provide the perfect platform for HIRIE’s voice to shine.
Following their tour with Tribal Seeds, HIRIE has secured a strong fan base along the west coast while sharing the stage with headlining acts such as Fortunate Youth, Matisyahu, The Dirty Heads, J Boog, Stick Figure, and more recently, The Green. The band has also been blessed with the opportunities to provide direct support for reggae legends such as Steel Pulse, Sly & Robbie, The Wailing Souls and Pato Banton. Additionally, HIRIE has ventured out of the reggae genre to do shows with mainstream artists like Shwayze and Cisco Adler.
With another nationwide tour confirmed for Fall of 2014, HIRIE will once again take their rising talent across the U.S. for 34 shows in hopes of exposing their one-of-a-kind sound to thousands of potentially new fans. While currently writing their second album, HIRIE has managed to grab the attention of producers in both reggae and mainstream music alike. During the month of June, the band plans to record a demo CD of their most successful singles to date and pitch the compilation to indie and other major labels for a chance to help fund another sensational album that will surely take its carriers to the next level.
In a genre dominated by male voices, the rise of HIRIE in 2013 came as a breath of fresh air just as the reggae scene had begun to emerge from the underground and into the mainstream. With so many accomplishments in such a short time, it’s hard to believe the band has only been together for a year. HIRIE’s ability to flawlessly mix multiple styles of music into a reggae-pop song rooted with conscious lyrics makes for the perfect starting point to help reggae music deliver its’ message to the world.
“Music that brings you to a positive place: that’s reggae. Music that lifts you to a higher space: that’s HIRIE.” – HIRIE

“As I was pulling into my parking spot I could already hear the sounds of Hirie coming from the California Roots stage. The energy is contagious as the crowd is bouncing up-and-down with fans along the rail singing along to every word. The beautiful Hirie works the entire stage playing to her band members and to the fans. Both VIP sections were filled with people trying to get a glimpse of the Hawaiian girl that’s causing such a rage in the reggae scene” – – CALIFORNIA ROOTS FESTIVAL
“But Hirie, who may be reggae’s newest sensation, has the potential to turn heads and create a name for herself after releasing her self-titled debut album earlier this month” – – SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN
“In a genre dominated by male performers, it is refreshing to hear a female voice set to reggae. HIRIE combines just the right mix of flare, relatability and authenticity” – – THE PIER
“As was the case for 90% of the set, the entire band was jumping up and down as Hirie skanked across the stage” – – THE PIER

New Roots reggae and DubFire Rock for the motion of your soul

Highdro is a young motivational leader in the hip-hop community. He has dedicated his time, energy, and creative gifts to give back to the hip-hop community ten fold. Highdro has earned his title of a true master of ceremony. He began freestyling to random beats at the age of ten. “Growing up music played a parental role in my life, it basically raised me.” His love for hip-hop and performing only grew stronger over the years. It was never a plan of Highdro’s to become a rapper but his following continued to grow and fans demanded more from him as an artist. It then became evident that enlightening and empowering people through the message in his music is what Highdro was meant to do.

Residing in Las Vegas Nevada Highdro started and still runs “Hip Hop Roots” which is Las Vegas’ longest running weekly hip-hop night. His event is the premier location for hip-hop in Las Vegas. Hip Hop Roots has been operating for almost 6 years now with 300+ consecutive weekly events on record and no breaks/weeks off. Highdro is a true grassroots entrepreneur and has expanded the show from an event to an organization. He has opened 5 more chapters of Hip Hop Roots across the nation and is currently touring/traveling in hopes to put a chapter in every state one day. The plan is to eventually unify serious independent hip-hop talent of all kinds and to help improve each cities local hip-hop scene.

Highdro’s high standards of respect and professional etiquette have been a trademark of Hip Hop Roots, with not a single episode of violence being documented in over a half decade of shows. He’s a team player and instills an essence of respect, appreciation, and happiness in everyone around him.

Highdro’s enlightening message and passion for hip-hop and the growth of the culture are exhilarating to say the least. His music and movement are a fresh breath of air for hip-hop heads worldwide. Combining a classic roots hip-hop vibe with his unique, versatile, lyrical style provides listeners with a distinctive new sound that leaves them wanting more after every song. The content is relevant to every day people so fans can still relate to it even though it doesn’t sound like everything else on radio today. Highdro is a definite trail blazer.

Highdro is one of the most explosive live hip-hop performers you will ever see. He has a natural charm and a stage presence that captures a crowd almost instantly. His high-energy performances maintain the crowd’s attention from beginning to end. Highdro has performed along with some of the biggest names in hip-hop. The most notable acts are; Bone Thugs N Harmony, Mob Deep, Hieroglyphics, Aesop Rock, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Tech N9ne, Everlast, Slaughterhouse, Cormega, Large Professor, Fashawn & Exile, Blu, Supernatural, Rittz, Jean Grae, Akil (Jurassic 5), Sage Francis, Rakaa Iriscience (Dilated Peoples), Canibus, Bliss N Eso (Australia), CappaDonna, Tash & E Swift of Tha Liks, Ras Kass, and Percee P to name a few.

Highdro is also the front man for a reggae/hip-hop band called “GDB & Highdro” and together they have opened for, The Wu Tang Clan, Barrington Levy, Reel Big Fish, Mayor Hawthorne, Kotton Mouth Kings, The Skatalites, The Slackers and English Beat(UK). The band’s debut album “GDB & Highdro” hit #46 on the Reggae iTunes charts with no major support. Highdro infuses hip-hop and reggae to make a style of music unlike anything heard from an artist in the industry today. Lyrical skill, diversity, and the passion to constantly improve are what make Highdro stand out from the rest. “He’s one of Vegas’ most multifaceted MCs: political, party-friendly, laid-back and galvanized all at once. A local hip-hop lightning rod, HighDro’s not just blowin’ smoke:” -Jason Bracelin – Las Vegas Review Journal.

Highdro has taken the ride all the way from small 5-10 person bar shows to sold out events at the World famous House of Blues and Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip. With perseverance, he built everything from the ground up. He has an enormous drive for success and slowing down is not anywhere in his future plans.
Highdro is original, soulful and an inspiration to many.