Representing the islands of Orange County, as they so playfully put it, powerhouse reggae act Common Kings has grown from humble beginnings to the biggest stages in the world, becoming one of the most recognizable Polynesian acts in recent memory. Defined by their high energy and community values both on and off the stage, they have earned their good reputation across the globe.
Grateful Web got to sit down with the group right before their set at this year’s Cali Roots festival to speak with them about their relationship with their fans, how they give back to their community, and why their recent acquisition of Uncle Ed’s Damn Good Vodka was so much more than a business decision.
Grateful Web: Over the last few years, Common Kings has grown into arguably the most in-demand Polynesian act in the world, but all weekend, you guys have been spending most of the day walking around, interacting with fans, and really making the time to make sure to talk with those who appreciate your music. Why do you feel giving back to your fanbase is so important?
Junior King: Because they’re everything. There’s no Common Kings without our fans, so we feel like it’s such a privilege, and the least we can do is just say hi to our fans. We’re all about celebrating and having a good time, so that’s why we came here. We definitely don’t want to take that for granted, so we appreciate all the fans out there.
GW: You guys have played almost every Cali Roots over the last many years, and your shows are consistently among the best-attended shows at the festival. What is it about your shows that you think connects so well with this audience?
Mata: I think it’s just the vibe and the high energy we bring to the stage. Everyone who listens to our music, they already enjoy it, so when you bring in that live aspect, it’s a party every time.
GW: You guys collaborate so much with so many other artists, and reggae really has been the genre that features the most features and collaborations. What is it about this community that you think invites so many artists to come together in the recording studio?
Uncle Lui: I think reggae is a community first. I think everybody comes together, and when you listen to this music, you want to share that feeling with other people. I think there are some kinds of music where, when you listen to it, you want to be by yourself, but with reggae, there are things that you want to enjoy with others, and that's why the collabs come easy. It’s inviting, it has a unity.
Big Rome: And we all get along with each other. It’s not like rap where we’re beefing. There’s no dissing or anything like that. The community of reggae, it's all about unity and love, so I think that’s why it invites everyone to collab with each other.
M: Yeah, you’ll never hear a diss reggae album. We all love each other.
GW: Anything cooking in the studio you’re excited about?
UL: We’re always cooking in the studio. We’re trying to have a big presence in 2026 with some bangers and collabs. You never know who we’re going to be collabing with, and we’re always cooking.
GW: You recently expanded your business ventures and partnered with Uncle Ed’s vodka. How did this start?
M: Oh, story time with Uncle Lui about Uncle Ed’s.
UL: Look, we’ve 100 percent been blessed with some of the most amazing fans, and that has created a lot of amazing opportunities. During Covid was one of those times where we connected with two brothers, they were fifth generation distillers out of Idaho, and one of their brothers, Ed, moved to the Big Island, experienced Hawiian and Polynesian culture, embraced it, the community embraced him, he was really into sustainable farming, and he taught that and it was reciprocated back to him. Because of their expertise in the vodka and spirits business, he wanted to figure out a way to give back. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2021, but one of the things he wanted to do before he passed away was to give back. So, his brother, Walt, presented us with an opportunity to own the company, and when they did that, there was a lot of talk about whether we should change the name and call it something else, and we said no way. This vodka line wouldn’t exist without Uncle Ed.
BR: We wanted to keep his legacy alive.
UL: And his legacy to give back. And it pairs well with us because we love to celebrate life. We are of Polynesian heritage, the highest form of respect for us is to serve, and we serve through creating experiences that people will enjoy and talk about for the rest of their lives. It only makes sense that we have a vodka line where, when people taste it for the first time, they light up. So, for us, we celebrate life, we celebrate those who came before us, those who came ahead of us.
JK: The other part, too, is we were blessed to partner up with Kīnā'ole, a native Hawaiian organization, so a portion of every bottle purchased goes to help these native Hawaiian organizations and Polynesian communities. It’s a good cause, it makes sense, and we wanted to stick by a brand that is in line with Common Kings. So party and have a good time for a good cause.
GW: Do you guys have a favorite flavor of Uncle Ed's?
M: Yeah, bro. It’s jackfruit and dragonberry, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. 60 proof, no sugar additives.
GW: Where can we pick up a bottle?
M: Online. Uncleeds.com. You can hear more about the story there, and also purchase it online. Uncle Lui bought it on Monday, and it arrived at his house on Wednesday in St. George.
GW: Over the last few years, you guys have kept getting more active in your work. Relentless touring, constant album release, and a new vodka line, how do you find time to balance all the time you spend on these projects with making sure those closest to you get the attention they deserve?
UL: Look, we’ve been doing this for so long, and just the music industry by itself is pretty demanding. We wouldn’t be here without our fans, but most importantly, our home base who have fully bought into, and fully support, what we do. It would be tough if they didn’t get it and wanted us to stay at home with a nine-to-five and do that whole thing, but they completely bought in, they completely support us, they completely understand, and that’s what makes it easier to be able to be this busy.
GW: Anything you want to plug that you haven’t already?
UL: Big shoutout to our fans again, big shoutout to Dan Sheehan, the Cali Roots crew, the Good Vibez crew for always taking care of us, we’ll always be rocking with them. They treat us like family, and that’s what it is. Again, big shoutout to our fans, make sure you check out uncleeds.com, and commonkings.com.
