IN a move to promote its brand globally, Antigua-based sound system Kanabis has released a mixtape titled Vibes Don’t Lie Vol 1. The project, which features more than 40 tracks, was released a month ago and distributed by Riddim Stream.

‘The mixtape was produced and mixed by myself. It has 47 tracks consisting of multiple genres, including dancehall, reggae, hip-hop and soca,” selector Jahny Gwaap of Kanabis Sound told the Jamaica Observer.

He explained what went into the selection of songs on the tape.

“The songs were chosen based on popularity and having a message to tell the people. Our main objective of putting out the mixtape was to market our brand and to show our talent as a sound system,” he said.

Gwaap is quite pleased with the success of the project, which has so far seen close to 5,000 downloads.

“The response has so far been overwhelming, and it has been opening the ears of a lot of persons around the world. It has been downloaded by fans in Canada, America, Mexico, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, China, South Korea and even in Thailand,” Gwaap revealed.

Mixtapes have been critical in raising the profiles of sound systems for years, and the selector believes that Kanabis’ latest project will open doors for the the 18-year-old entity.

‘The mixtape will show fans our versatility as a professional sound, and to send a message to the world that we are a force to reckon with musically,” he said.

The mixtape features songs from acts including, Popcaan, Kabaka Pyramid, Romain Virgo, Protoje, Chronixx, Agent Sasco, Masicka, Kranium, Alkaline, Aidonia, Stefflon Don, Meek Mill, Drake, Migos and 2 Chainz, Patrice Roberts, KES, Machel Montano, Ricardo Drue and Nailah Blackman.

— Kevin Jackson