Ziggi Recado and The Renaissance Band

With outstanding performances on major European festivals and venues like Roskilde (Denmark), Lowlands (Netherlands), Festineuch (Switserland), Coleur Café (Belgium), Cabaret Sauvage (France) and Super Bock Fest (Portugal), Ziggi Recado proves once again that he is amongst the world’s top reggae acts.

Growing up on the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius the young Ricardo Blijden was given the nickname Ziggi by his grandparents who raised him. In 1999 Ziggi Recado moved to the Netherlands to study. Through the influence of friends who were aspiring artists, Ziggi began experimenting with music around 2001/2002. This gradually grew into a hobby that he had a natural talent for. In 2003 Ziggi was signed to Rock(N)Vibes entertainment which became Ziggi’s first Label/Management.

In February of 2006, Ziggi Recado released his debut album “So Much Reasons”. With this album Ziggi gained national notoriety in The Netherlands and managed to capture several awards such as “Best Album”, “Best Artist” and “Best Live Act”. His track “Blaze it” also had a major impact internationally and peaked at the #1 position in the official German reggae charts for weeks.

Ziggi Recado and his Renaissance Band closed off 2007 at a peak by touring as the official support act on what was considered the biggest reggae tour that year, Gentleman’s Another Intensity European Tour 2007.

In 2008 With the cooperation of VP/Greensleeves records Ziggi’s 2nd studio album “In Transit” was released. This album which included the hit songs “Need to tell you this” with 3 million youtube views, and “Gonna leave you” received raving reviews throughout Europe and the rest of the world. Ziggi was now drawing attention on a global level. Ziggi & The Renaissance band toured extensively in 2009 playing well over 100 shows and solidifying his reputation as an outstanding live act.

In 2010 Ziggi continued to tour and also released his first EP exclusively on iTunes

called “Same Difference ”. This was the first project on which Ziggi added ‘Recado’ to his name to help him distinguish himself.

In 2011 Ziggi's 3rd studio album, the self entitled "Ziggi Recado" was released by VP records. This proved to be a very diverse album with Ziggi combining a wide range of musical styles to create a very unique album. He also produced a large portion of this album himself for the first time. This album contained the hit single "Mary"

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2012 marked a new beginning for Recado who started working on his first ‘independent’ projects. The first 2012 release, an EP entitled ‘Liberation’ was released on march 8th . This EP contained 6 solid reggae tracks including the smashing ‘Cool & Humble’ feat. Taranchyla. It featured Recado returning to his more traditional reggae sound, as opposed to the very experimental sound from his previous offering.

This EP was produced largely by top European reggae producers(Special Delivery Music, Silly Walks disco & Oneness records) including 1 production from Ziggi himself. This EP layed the foundation for what would prove to be a very progressive musical year for Recado.

In November 2012 ‘Liberation 2.0’ was released by Dreddarecords. This EP, produced by Dreddarecords featured Ziggi in what would become his most Roots sounding offering to date. It contained the hit single ‘Liberation’, as well as 2013 single "Nothing but love".

Ziggi has also collaborated and toured with many success reggae artists and accomplished iconic musicians such as Anthony B, Etana, Gentlemen, Alborosie, Midnite, Tristan Palma... the list goes on.

In May 2014 Ziggi's most recent full length album, 'Therapeutic' was released by Zion High Productions.