Ilements is the alter ego of Paris-based Thomas-Pérez-Iñigo, a singjay from Saint Martin (the French-speaking part of the island of Saint Martin), who returns with 'As It Is', his first new full-length in six years.
For the album, Ilements surrounded himself with the core of Danakil: bassist Boris Arnoux, drummer Saymon Roger, keyboardist Martin Bisson and percussionist Manjul, joined by Kubix on guitar and Nelly Adjo on backing vocals. Production was handled by Twan Tee, himself a successful solo artist.
Stylistically, Ilements draws heavily on the singjay style of Jamaican artists such as Sizzla and Capleton, as it was popular in the early 2000s.
Unfortunately, 'As It Is' doesn’t manage to hold our attention for all ten tracks, but a personal favourite is certainly 'I'm From A Place', in which Ilements paints a picture of his native island without glossing over the reality: "It's a tax haven plagued by poverty, where the local population lives in misery, corruption and injustice. The song paints a picture of a daily struggle for survival, inviting reflection on social inequalities and calling for change. It is not just a statement, but a call for awareness and liberation!"
Tippy I rounds things off with enjoyable dub versions of 'Modern Slavery' and title track 'As It Is'.
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About the author
Jah RebelMore Less
Together with Jah Shakespear, one of the founders of Reggae.be, he first started as a critic and a reporter before in the end of 2014 becoming editor in chief. Divides his time between his two passions: music and Haile Selassie.
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Published
March 14, 2025