As reggae continues to evolve for a new generation of listeners, Kingston-born artist Simon ‘Skygrass’ Bowden is carving out his own lane with the genre-blending album Walking on Water. The Barbican-raised musician’s 14-track project fuses classic roots reggae with rock-driven instrumentation, positioning him among a new crop of artists reshaping the modern reggae sound while maintaining the genre’s spiritual core.
Released worldwide through DubShot Records, Walking on Water boasts an impressive list of collaborators including Mykal Rose, Turbulence, Lutan Fyah, Jesse Royal, Rory Stone Love, and Aspekt Mafia. Much of the album was self-produced by Skygrass, underscoring his reputation as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. The project launched alongside visuals for singles “Lightning” and “Riddim Fyah,” with another video slated for the focus track “Inna Deh.”
The rising artist has also been building a reputation as a compelling live performer. Over the past year he has shared stages with international names such as Maroon 5, Inner Circle, Chronixx, and Mykal Rose. One standout moment came when he performed to a sold-out crowd at the Brooklyn Bowl during a New Year’s Eve show alongside reggae rock outfit Iriespect and British reggae legends Steel Pulse.
Industry observers are already taking notice. The Source recently spotlighted the artist in a feature titled “The Future of Reggae Is, Skygrass,” praising his blend of witty lyricism, melodic hooks, and guitar-driven arrangements reminiscent of Damian Marley and rock icon Lenny Kravitz. Reflecting on the album’s deeper message, Skygrass shared with fans: “It’s about faith, it’s about focus, it’s about locking in on the spiritual power that allows us to do everything that seems impossible to us.” With Walking on Water now circulating across streaming platforms, the Kingston musician appears poised to continue pushing reggae into bold, genre-crossing territory.
