HE was once known as Bobby General. Later, he took the name of a character in the popular 1970s mini-series, Roots.

Kunta Kente has been flexing his musical muscles since he was a teenager.

After gaining experience on sound systems and church and school choirs, Kunta Kente — whose real name is David Swaby — became an electrician.

However that didn’t put the brakes on his musical aspirations.

“Music has been a part of me for a long time now. Even though I was working as an electrician, I still did music on the side as a hobby. Now I want to pursue it further,” Kunta said.

Now based in Florida, he recently recorded Celebrate Jamaica, a tribute to the Jamaica 50 celebrations. Celebrate Jamaica was produced by Troyton of the Black Shadow label in Florida. Black Shadow previously scored with the Buzz rhythm which yielded hits including Pump Up Har by Sizzla and Gimmie the Light by Sean Paul.

Kunta Kente believes the new generation of artistes have more opportunities than in the 1980s when he started.

“It’s much easier for the artistes today. Back then the sound systems were the only vehicle for us to get promotion and recognition,” he said.

Kunta Kente’s songs include Hands of The Wicked, Think Before You Act, Them Got Him, and Immigration. He has also released an album titled Smile a While.