HOT RAIN
The Hot Rain Band is a reggae music group from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, known for blending authentic Jamaican yard-style rhythms with deep Pacific Island roots. Their sound draws inspiration from legendary and contemporary reggae artists such as Bob Marley, Morgan Heritage, EarthKry, Gregory Isaacs, Fiji, and J Boog, resulting in music that is both soulful and dance-worthy, grounded in “feel good” messages and island culture.
Hot Rain was formed in the summer of 1999 by lead singer and guitarist Carl “Capt Kako” Noa as a contemporary Hawaiian artist collective. In 2003, Capt Kako reimagined the band, bringing together a dynamic lineup that included bassist Blaine Mateo, singer/drummer Leslie Ludiazo, and singer/keyboardist Jorell “Jay Keyz” Nacapuy. With each member contributing diverse musical backgrounds, the band emerged with a fresh and energetic sound that would become their signature.
The band gained early recognition by winning the Battle of the Bands competition atop the rooftop stage at Hawaiʻi’s Dave & Buster’s, followed by another major win at the 2005 Ala Moana Mai Tai Rumble. These victories helped establish Hot Rain as a rising force in the island reggae scene.
Over the years, Hot Rain has shared stages with numerous international reggae icons, opening for artists such as War, Yellowman, Don Carlos, Eek-A-Mouse, Maxi Priest, Steel Pulse, and UB40. Their first international tour came in 2008 with performances in Japan alongside J Boog, Laga Savea, Siaosi, and Kiwini. Since then, the band has toured extensively across Australia, Tonga, American Samoa, Guam, Saipan, New Zealand, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Finland, Germany, Poland, Jamaica, and much of the continental United States—often serving as both direct support and the main backing band for J Boog.
Hot Rain has earned a reputation as Hawaiʻi’s premier backing band, frequently supporting local and international artists alike. When not touring with J Boog, they have performed as the backing band for Fiji, Marty Dread, Oshen, Micah G, A2C, and Sahra Indio, and have supported international artists including Tanya Stephens, Cas Haley, Gyptian, Don Carlos, and Junior Reid during their Hawaiʻi performances.
In addition to their live work, Hot Rain has contributed extensively to recorded music, with songs charting on Island Music charts alongside artists such as Fiji, Micah G, Laga Savea, Siaosi, Kiwini, Kiani, Mike Love, The Green, and Anuhea. In 2010, the band began work on their debut album. Their self-titled debut album, Hot Rain, was released in November 2011 through Afflatus Entertainment. The fifteen-track album was written and produced entirely by the band and features vocals from former members Crystal Mateo and Christopher “Reezy” Rodriguera, as well as original band member Laga Savea. The album also includes a collaboration with international reggae star J-BOOG, courtesy of Wash House Music. Hot Rain debuted on both local and national charts, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Reggae Chart, and earned the 2012 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Best Engineering.
Following their debut, Hot Rain released the EP It Crazy But It Life in 2015 under their own label, We Dem People. The band continued releasing a steady stream of singles including “Hawaiʻi,” “2AM,” “Escape,” “Wake Up,” “Reggae Is Gold,” “Little Lovin,” and “Elevated.” In 2017 and 2018, members of Hot Rain received Nā Hōkū Hanohano nominations for their production work on J Boog’s Rose Petals and Wash House Ting albums.
Since the release of It Crazy But It Life, Hot Rain has become fully self-reliant, handling every aspect of their creative process in-house—from recording, mixing, and mastering to artwork production and distribution, in partnership with Empire Distribution.
Nearly 22 years in the making, Hot Rain is more than just a band. Their persistence through the highs and lows of the music industry, combined with their humble beginnings, deep love for music, and unwavering loyalty to one another, can be heard—and felt—every time they take the stage.