Mesajah, a history. High-quality Polish reggae

Take a seat and make yourselves comfortable; let yourselves be transported to a Polish-sounding Jamaica created by the musician Mesajah. Once you push play, you will feel orange sun rays on your skin, the burning James Bond beach sand, and the soft smell of salty wind. Your hair will grow several inches and turn into dreadlocks with beads. Your clothes will be loose and hanging off your relaxed body. Then, by the time the show is over, your soul will have become clearer and your understanding of the world better.

Mesajah: A history

Manuel Rengifo Diaz, better known as Mesajah, was born 26 November 1985 in Wrocław. His mother is Polish but his father comes from Peru and is of Peruvian and Spanish origin, which certainly lends some authenticity to Mesajah’s music, but it is also good on its own. His father was a musician himself and wanted his sons to learn instruments, but Mesajah didn not want to play any. In time, however, he became interested in music, to the point that it interfered with his school work (as he admitted on the Dzień dobry TVN morning show).

Mesajah i Kamil Bednarek Szukając Szczęścia

In 2023, Mesajah and his brother Paxon started a band Natural Dread Killaz, playing music combining reggae and dancehall. Their debut album was the 2005 Naturalnie and it got mixed reviews, but Mesajah’s voice showed potential which the listeners hoped would one day be realised. The band’s second album, Ile lat?, released in 2010, was met with a much better reception; the musicians had gained enough experience to make a refined and atmospheric album. 2015 was supposed to see the release of NDK’s third album, but the band disbanded before that could happen.

Mesajah: The discography

• Ludzie prości – 2008 rok (11 tracks)
• Jestem stąd  – 2012 rok (13 tracks)
• Brudna prawda – 2013 rok (13 tracks)
• Powrót do korzeni – 2016 rok (12 tracks)

Solo career
In 2008 Mesajah released his first solo studio album, Ludzie prości. Its first single, Każdego dnia, is still one of his most popular songs: on YouTube, putting the original and a revamped versions together, it has over 20 million views. Interestingly, Mesajah withdrew the album from the Fryderyk competition once it was qualified as ethno/folk.

In 2012 Mesajah released his second album, Jestem stąd (‘I am from here’), on the theme of racial discrimination. In it, Mesajah calls for tolerance and equality regardless of ethnicity or descent, but also of views or religion. A year later Mesajah released his third record, Brudna prawda, which reached gold status.

The artist’s latest album came out in 2016, is entitled Powrót do korzeni (‘back to the roots’), and is composed of 12 atmospheric tracks with good lyrics. As the name suggests, the record is based on classic Jamaican reggae. Mesajah’s songs transport their listeners to The Wailers-era island. Even though the homogenous style across the entire album can be monotonous, the artist’s ability to introduce the classic sound into contemporary music is admirable.

The song Wolne from Powrót do korzeni was very well received by listeners and won Konkurs Premier (a debut award) at the 2016 National Festival of Polish Song in Opole.

Many of Mesajah’s biggest hits are not on any of his albums: such as W związku z tym, which has over 24 million views on YouTube, and was made in collaboration with L.U.C, K. Prońko and K2.

Polish reggae
Mesajah and reggae are a great match. The genre is exceptional, though unassuming; it may seem carefree and empty, but it is decidedly not: just look at Bob Marley, arguably the biggest reggae legend and an amazing lyricist. Even though his music has probably very often accompanied the smoking of the most popular narcotic plant, if considered seriously, the songs reveal a lot of depth and wisdom. The song Get up, stand up can serve as proof, as it is a call to fight for your rights, oppose oppressive regimes and systems that limit your freedom: “Get up, stand up, stand up for your right”. The song has become an anthem of fighting for freedom and equality, especially in the context of Jamaica and global human right movements. This song is a must for anyone who considers reggae to be simplistic.

Mesajah – Każdego dnia

I do not mention Bob Marley in vain: Mesajah seems perfectly aware of his music’s power. His lyrics are very good, especially compared to those written by other contemporary Polish musicians. The song Szukając szczęścia is similar to Marley’s in that way, as it considers the true meaning of life and a search for happiness. The lyrics are contemplative and philosophical, in spite of the rhythmic and happy reggae sound, and the main theme is that of looking for true happiness, which the author considers to be heavilt reliant on such values as love, honesty and humility. Mesajah warns against racing after material goods, which may seem attractive but do not lead to happiness, all the while stressing the importance of having loved ones, friends and family, who will support you when you need it. The artist sings about mistakes and consequences of our actions, and reminds us of the passing and fragility of life. He also asks deep spiritual questions humans have been asking for centuries, and all of this in just one verse and the refrain, since the second verse is sung by Kamil Bednarek whose lyrics are not as good.

Mesajah: Top 5

1. Ludzie prości
2. Lepsza połowa
3. Szukając szczęści
4. Ładna i cwana / Ładna i cfana
5. Każdego dnia

Trivia:

• Mesajah was a guest on season 21 of the popular Kuba Wojewódzki talk show.
• When he was 15, Mesajah left for Peru, where his father came from, but eventually went back to Poland.
• Before fully devoting himself to reggae, Mesajah was active in rap music.
• For years Mesajah struggled with undiagnosed Lyme disease which was destroying his body.
• On 30 December 2020 Mesajah cut off his signature dreadlocks in the Nowy rozdział music video.

Opinion by Paweł Skarzyński
Photo from the artist’s official Facebook page
Translation by Adrianna Stańczak

Did you like our article? Check out other music news!

Read also:  Józef Skrzek – a multitalented musician. Do you know his songs?
Read also:  Wanda i Banda – Hi-Fi beyond just the name. The band’s story
 Read also:  Fisz – his history. He’s in his element when he’s making music
 Read also:  Jimek – what connect Ranczo, Wisłocka and Sexify? 
 Read also:  Czadoman – ruda tańczy, my słuchamy
Read also:  Patricia Kazadi – someone who made the most of her chance to be successful