Irie Souljah Spreads a Message of Global Unity with New Reggae Album World Citizen
- dancehallleaguejm
- Aug 18
- 2 min read
Barcelona-born and Kingston-based reggae artist Irie Souljah returns with World Citizen, a powerful new album released via Ineffable Records. Following his previous releases Immigrant (2015) and All About Love – The EP (2023), this ten-track project marks a bold maturation in sound, message, and musical mission. As a lifelong student of reggae, Irie Souljah continues to evolve as a voice for unity, migration awareness, and cultural exchange.
Speaking on the meaning behind the album’s title, Irie Souljah shares, “World Citizen means knowing that we’re all here on this earth at the same time, sharing the same oxygen, and we should be able to live together in peace. We’re just one big family called World.” The album’s lead single, “Rasta At The Control”, sets the tone with autobiographical verses about his early life in Barcelona, while the title track, featuring Grammy-winner Kabaka Pyramid, takes a strong stance on immigration rights and global belonging.
The auditory journey of World Citizen also reflects the artist’s growth as both a musician and a man. “With Immigrant, I was 22 and figuring things out. All About Love was an experiment. But World Citizen is full reggae again,” he explains. “You can’t play around with reggae music, it has to be done properly. That’s why I moved to Jamaica 11 years ago, and I’m still learning every day so that my music can be relatable and transcend generations.”
Produced primarily by longtime collaborator Genís Trani, World Citizen features rich live instrumentation by Keneil Delisser (drums), Kawain Williamson (bass), Pau Dangla Valls (organ), and Ottmar (keys). The project also includes standout collaborations with reggae luminaries and emerging voices: Kabaka Pyramid contributes not only as a featured artist but also as a co-writer and producer; Alborosie appears on the spiritually charged “Another Way”; and MediSun (formerly King Mas) lends his lyrical strength to the track “So Far.”
The album’s final track, “In & Out,” adds a more intimate layer to the project. Described by Irie as his first time opening up about a personal romantic experience, the song features both vocal and lyrical contributions from Mystic Marley, daughter of Stephen Marley. “Her voice is very fresh, it was the cherry on top,” Irie says. “She brought the sweet and spicy element the song needed.”
Known for his soulful delivery and message-driven music, Irie Souljah has graced major stages such as Reggae Sumfest and Rototom Sunsplash, and toured internationally alongside acts like Kabaka Pyramid, Cocoa Tea, and Iya Terra. With the World Citizen tour underway, he is bringing his conscious sound to fans across Europe, with performances in Denmark, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
With World Citizen, Irie Souljah solidifies his role as a cultural bridge, one who honours the roots of reggae while amplifying messages that resonate across continents. “I want people to listen to the album like they’re watching a movie,” he says. “It’s a trip through my life and how I see the world nowadays.”
The album is now available on all major streaming platforms.
