Ras Michael, a distinguished Jamaican Reggae artist and Nyabinghi specialist, is renowned for his contributions to Rastafari culture and music. Also known as Dadawah, he holds the prestigious Order of Distinction for his impactful legacy.Born in Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica, Ras Michael grew up in a Rastafari community. As a teenager, he relocated to Kingston's Waterhouse district, where he immersed himself in the local Rastafari music scene. In the mid-1960s, he established the Zion Disc label and worked as a session musician at the legendary Studio One under Coxsone Dodd, releasing several singles. Notably, Ras Michael became the first Rastafari member to host a Reggae radio program in Jamaica, The Lion of Judah Time, which debuted on JBC in 1967. His band, The Sons of Negus, is celebrated for its traditional Nyabinghi drumming and chanting.In 1974, producer Tommy Cowan discovered Ras Michael’s group and released their music as the album Nyahbinghi. Though the album struggled commercially, Cowan produced a follow-up album, Rastafari (1975), which featured top studio musicians like Robbie Shakespeare, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Robbie Lyn, and Peter Tosh. With its iconic cover art by Neville Garrick depicting a young Haile Selassie, Rastafari achieved greater success and was followed by Kibir Am Lak (1977), which solidified the group’s popularity in Europe and the United States.Ras Michael's influence extended beyond his own music. He contributed to sessions at Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark studio, including recordings with Bob Marley. He also performed alongside Marley at the historic One Love Peace Concert in 1978. With the Sons of Negus, he recorded Love Thy Neighbor at Black Ark and collaborated with Suns of Arqa on their 1984 album India?, recording the track Give Love. Over his career, he has released more than 25 albums.Beyond music, Ras Michael has served as an evangelist, ambassador, and diplomat for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawahido Church. He is a founder and president of the Rastafari International/Marcus Garvey Culture Center in Los Angeles and the Fly Away Culture Center in Kingston, Jamaica. Currently, he resides in Los Angeles, continuing his mission to promote Rastafari culture worldwide.In 2015, the Jamaican government honored Ras Michael with the Order of Distinction for his outstanding contribution to the nation’s musical heritage.