THE day reggae singer Joseph Hill died his son Kenyatta’s music career began.

Joseph Hill, who was the mainstay of influential roots-reggae group Culture, collapsed and died in Germany in August, 2006 at age 57.

To the amazement of fans, Kenyatta stepped up to complete the remaining 19 dates on the group’s European tour.

He remains Culture’s frontman, singing the songs that made the trio famous, as well as new material.

“I decided my father’s work should go on. We will be chanting reggae music forever and ever,” a determined Kenyatta told the Jamaica Observer.

He admits things were tough in the beginning but he and longtime members Albert Walker and Telford Nelson have weathered the storm.

“It was a challenge, because I never knew I could sing. I was a nervous wreck. There was pressure, because I had a big role to fill,” he said.

Joseph Hill was originally from the town of Linstead in St Catherine. He got his start as a percussionist with the Soul Defenders band out of Linstead, which played on several hit songs at Studio One in the early 1970s such as Picture Hanging On The Wall by Freddie McKay.

He branched out as Culture in the mid-1970s, getting the breakthrough with Jah Jah (See Them a Come). Other hits followed, such as the seminal Two Sevens Clash and I’m Not Ashamed.

Kenyatta says Culture’s music still resonates with fans.

“My father still has a message that needs to be sent out. There were a lot of lyrics not finished, so I said, I’ll try to finish them.”

In his debut song, Daddy, he confronts the emotional challenges he felt after his father’s death. Other songs he has recorded include Take My Hands, Empress Haffi Clean and Mar iwanna.