Bun in the Sun

Kiko Bun presents his own cosmopolitan blend of contemporary roots and dub with a live performance on the main stage at Wilkswood Reggae 2023. 

Like so many other kids growing up in West London, it’s no surprise the half-Panamanian, half-Italian Kiko Bun grew up obsessed with reggae and hip hop, immersing himself quickly into London’s ever-thriving subculture of musicians, MCs, DJs, shops bursting with revival Studio One singles and the all-important sound system mixtapes imported straight from Jamaica.

Kiko has since developed into is one of those rare artists, offering a contemporary voice for his generation over music that feels timeless. Kiko’s music, while influenced by the sounds of Jamaican Roots, Dub, Rocksteady and Boom Bap, is a reflection of his laidback lifestyle, and the reason why his fan-base has been building rapidly on the festival circuit including performances at Glastonbury, Boomtown, Leeds and Reading.

After establishing an authentic reggae sound over the years, working with the likes of Alborosie, Shy Fx, Chase & Status and Ticklah (of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings), as well as receiving radio support from world renowned tastemakers such as Sir David Rodigan and Julie Adenuga, Kiko is now making things happen on the national and international stage.

A rocksteady-sampling, instantly memorable summer boombox anthem, Kiko’s debut release Sticky Situation sparked an extraordinary level of online interest, swiftly resulting in Kiko’s signing to a very natural home at Island Records. His first release with Island, Where I’m From, mixes his deep love of Jamaican roots music with crisp young London bass culture to create a heavyweight soundboy killer perfectly suited to rock anywhere from Bestival to any self-respecting blues dance.

Following a handful of singles, including 2020’s ‘Bad Boy Tenor’, the London native has performed with his band across the UK on a headline tour as well as performances alongside David Rodigan and The Outlook Orchestra at Rototom, and performances at Outlook Festival and the Royal Albert Hall to name a few. 

Island’s Guillermo Ramos says, “Kiko has it all: the songs, the charisma, and most importantly – the voice. He has kept things completely authentic, quietly but diligently doing his thing until now, and we are excited to help him step things up. As debut singles go, things don’t get much better than Where I’m From… it’s got the crunchy bass sounds reminiscent of the boom bap 90s era which he so loves, but the sensitivities of the roots which he grew up on. We see his massive potential – and feel that he will quickly transcend the genre.”