‘King’ Beale sets out to restore reggae music to original glory

King Recordings Entertainment CEO, Basil "King" Beale. 
King Recordings Entertainment CEO, Basil “King” Beale. 
Courtesy Rari Films

Outkast said it best, “Music Makes the World go ’round,” and Dr. Basil “King” Beale says he has the “secret sauce for keeping the world moving” through King Recordings Entertainment.

Music mogul and serial entrepreneur, “King” Beale said King Recordings Entertainment is a full service, international record label dedicated to artist development and management.

He has vowed to change the world through music, one artist at a time.

“I just want to develop artists and show them the world,” said “King” Beale, who, in 1994, set out on his music journey with the start of his first record label Wicked Wax records.

The visionary owned a limousine company and drove music executives, celebrities,and tastemakers around the Atlanta area. His strong business acumen allowed him to gain support and grow a loyal customer base.

In addition, he learned from his clients. As artists and producers like Jermaine Dupri, Tank, and Ludacris filled his seat, he picked their brains and became well connected.

“King” Beale said dancehall artist Shaba Ranks told King to start a label, adding that “the rest was history.”

He said Wicked Wax Records became home to famed international recording artists such as Luiciano, Mikey Spice, Verdy Green, Gold Teeth, Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton.

In 2020, a new chapter was written when King realized that the direction in which music was going was unconducive to the culture or its roots.

From Hip-Hop to Reggae, “the vibes were missing, the culture was getting lost and the business was getting worse,” King said. “The Grammys even took Reggae completely off the charts.”

He said this is what birthed the label that has “become the heart and pulse of Caribbean, Gospel, R&B, and Hip-Hop music.”

With 28 years of experience in the music industry, King said he has learned the intricacies of the business. From partnerships, promotions and management, he said he has had his “hand tied in it all” and is ready to build an empire.

Just two short years, King said the label has represented over 20 recording artists, such as Michael Star, Razi, Miikey, Priscilla Manning and legendary dancehall artist, Junie Ranks, just to name a few.

In addition, King said the label has played “an integral part” in the success of the Queen of Dancehall, Spice’s GRAMMY nominated album, TEN.

King said his overall mission for King Recordings Entertainment is “to give reggae music worldwide visibility and the global recognition that the genre deserves.”