IRIE

Photography by: Aisea Taimani

Azato is a singer/songwriter/producer, bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, and roots reggae artist from Oʻahu Hawaiʻi. Azato’s music is spiritual and conscious and recorded live with all real instruments; nothing is programmed.

Brady “Azato” Giusta has been performing, recording, and touring with Local, National, and International bands for more than 25 years. He has toured with all of the greats in reggae music. Azato is releasing his second solo album, Bridges Not Walls, in 2024. His debut solo album, Love Is the Conqueror, was released in December 2018. The new album includes features by Luciano, Kumar, and many other incredible artists.

Born and raised in San Diego, Azato fell in love with Reggae and World Music at a young age. His first instrument as a child was the piano, and at 16, he began playing guitar and percussion. As a percussionist, he has studied West African, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian drumming for years. Azato has a BA in world music from San Diego State University. He started playing live in bands at 16, mostly 21, and in clubs that had to get escorted on and off stage to play.

Over the years, Azato has played with many bands in varying genres, from Reggae to Salsa, Jazz, Blues, Hip Hop, R&B, Afrobeat, and Highlife music.

For over ten years, Azato played percussion and keys for Elijah Emanuel and the Revelations. Played out locally and toured extensively. Opening for International Reggae acts Damien Marley, Rita Marley, Israel Vibration, Toots and the Maytals, Burning Spear, Culture, Sister Carol, Ras Michael, UB40, Big Mountain, The Wailers, Lucky Dube, Pato Banton, Barrington Levy, Michael Rose, The Itals, Cultura Profetica, The Gladiators, Bunny Wailer, Morgan Heritage, Steel Pulse, Leon Mobley and Da Lion, Manu Chao, etc…

Azato’s music is autobiographical, telling the stories of those close to him and the lives of the at-risk youth he works with. It also comments on the struggles and social injustice he has experienced and those he loves in my community.

Azato is a nickname given to me by Akayaa Atule a close friend from Ghana. It comes from the Frafra language in Northern Ghana. Azato means “joyful or smiley one .”Hearing Azato music you can’t help but move your feet and experience life and joy. On a deeper level my life has been transformed dramatically by my Creator. I want my listeners to experience life and life to the fullest through the joy that comes from the Most High.