Veteran Athens hip-hop artist's new single inspired by a chance meeting in Jamaica

Andrew Shearer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
(L-R) Reggae artist Kuanna and veteran Athens hip-hop artist Amun Ra meet in Jamaica in this contributed photo from October 2021. The pair can be heard on Amun's single "Going Back to Jamaica," released Jan. 25, 2022.
(L-R) Reggae artist Kuanna and veteran Athens hip-hop artist Amun Ra meet in Jamaica in this contributed photo from October 2021. The pair can be heard on Amun's single "Going Back to Jamaica," released Jan. 25, 2022.

Though Athens is currently experiencing chilly temperatures, a new single from one of its formative and most enduring hip-hop artists is bringing a welcome ray of sunshine to heat up the winter, and the story behind its creation is just as warm.

'Going Back to Jamaica," the latest track from veteran local musician Amun Ra, is a breezy collaboration with rising reggae star Kuanna. But unlike many of today's virtual team-ups, this one was the result of a chance meeting of the minds when Amun, whose real name is Cedric Huff, made a recent visit to the Caribbean.

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"I've visited Egypt, Africa, but Jamaica felt like home to me," Huff told the Banner-Herald. "It was beautiful, like heaven on Earth."

While taking in the sights with his wife and daughters on a family vacation to Trelawny Parish, Huff made it a priority to meet and spend time with the locals, which led him to a merchandise booth run by Kuanna. After Huff played some of his music for her, Kuanna shared her song "Royal Queen," and the two discovered they both had tattoos of the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol of the ankh.

(Center) Athens hip-hop artist Amun Ra sits with his daughters in Jamaica in this contributed photo from Oct. 2021. The family vacation inspired Amun's latest single, "Going Back to Jamaica."
(Center) Athens hip-hop artist Amun Ra sits with his daughters in Jamaica in this contributed photo from Oct. 2021. The family vacation inspired Amun's latest single, "Going Back to Jamaica."

Upon returning to Athens, Huff shared the story with childhood friend and Billboard Award-winning producer Randall Lumpkin of Georgia-based RBL Productions, whose credits include work for Colt Ford's Average Joes Entertainment and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. Lumpkin was instantly inspired, and Huff then contacted Kuanna over Instagram to develop the song's irresistible hook together.

"The lyrics you hear me singing tell the story of how Amun and I met," Kuanna told the Banner-Herald via Zoom from Jamaica. "I was a part of his journey, and I think the track is beautiful."

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Rather than hint at or speculate on future collaborations with Kuanna, Huff is intent on enjoying the moment and reflecting on the unexpected artistic gift that came about from spending time with his family rather than the traditional hustle that so often goes hand-in-hand with the music industry.

"I'm keeping it light with this one," said Huff. "It's one of my more commercially-accessible songs, and I want people to just have a good time with it."

"Going Back to Jamaica" is available to stream or purchase on Tuesday. Visit Amun Ra on Instagram @amunra7 or at amunramusic.net.

Athens hip-hop artist Amun Ra (right) locks arms with a man in Jamaica in this contributed photo from Oct. 2021. The family trip inspired Amun's new single, "Going Back to Jamaica," released on Jan. 25, 2022.
Athens hip-hop artist Amun Ra (right) locks arms with a man in Jamaica in this contributed photo from Oct. 2021. The family trip inspired Amun's new single, "Going Back to Jamaica," released on Jan. 25, 2022.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Reggae artist Kuanna featured on new track from Athens, Ga.'s Amun Ra