Kollah Bone : Trappin’ From the Islands to the Eiffel Tower
From gospel roots to global stages, Sint Maarten's own Kollah Bone is redefining Caribbean trap on his own terms.
In an era where music is often filtered through trends and algorithms, artists like Kollah Bone emerge as rare forces—self-made, deeply rooted, and globally minded. Born Lucienne A. M. Roosberg on February 22, 1990, in Sint Maarten, Kollah Bone is more than just a rapper. He’s a music producer, songwriter, engineer, and the visionary founder of Omnitune Records, known for fusing trap, dancehall, and Caribbean authenticity into a sound that’s as cinematic as it is raw.
Now, with the one-year anniversary of his breakout hit “Trappin in Paris”, Kollah Bone has officially planted his flag in the global hip-hop landscape—and he did it all without waiting for anyone’s permission.
From Church Choirs to 808s
Growing up immersed in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, music was Kollah Bone’s first language. “Church was my first sound system,” he says. “The choir, the organ, the harmonies – that was my foundation. That’s where I first felt the power of music to move your spirit.”
But it wasn’t just hymns and hallelujahs shaping his sonic vision. His older sister’s mixtape collection became his gateway to hip-hop royalty: 2Pac, Biggie, Missy, Aaliyah, DMX, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent. “She was like my first DJ,” he recalls. “I used to sneak into her room and bump those tapes with headphones. That’s when I realized storytelling could be raw, painful, and still poetic.”
A DIY Visionary
The lack of studio access didn’t stop him—in fact, it lit the fire. Kollah Bone taught himself music production using FL Studio, spending 10 to 12 hours a day trial-and-erroring his way into sonic mastery. “Nobody was offering me a way in,” he says. “So I built it myself.” His beats were gritty but alive, echoing his life experiences and island upbringing, and he soon co-founded the beat-making group DBK (Da Beat Kings) with George “G-Wattz” Martin and Rodrique “G-Bone” Richardson.
Fast-forward to today, and Bone’s name is etched into over 83 production, writing, and engineering credits, with 49 million lifetime streams to his name. On Spotify and other streaming platforms, he’s earned elite rankings: top 1% of global artists (ranked 75,824), top 2% of producers, and even top 5% in audio engineering.
The Making of “Trappin in Paris”
In mid-2024, Kollah Bone dropped “Trappin in Paris”, a high-energy trap anthem with over 100,000 views on the official video and climbing. But for Bone, it wasn’t just about numbers—it was about testimony.
“‘Trappin in Paris’ came from a real-life moment,” he explains. “It’s more than just flex – it’s about the mental shift. I went from broken nights in Rotterdam to walking through Paris like I own it. I wanted to blend beauty and struggle — show people you can come from small places and still walk through big cities with purpose.”
The song’s cinematic visuals, shot guerrilla-style in the heart of Paris, reflect this duality—rooftops, metro lights, and a protagonist walking with both humility and power. “A Black man in Paris, blending in and standing out at the same time,” he says. “We had no budget, just vision and timing.”
The message behind the track is crystal clear: “Start with what you have, where you are.” Bone wants listeners, especially youths from small islands or overlooked neighborhoods, to know that every sleepless night, every beat, every lyric matters. “If you broke, hungry, sleeping on a bus bench — that’s your studio. That’s your movie set.”
Fusion of Identity and Art
Kollah Bone’s music is layered with West Indian slang, island cadence, and raw narratives. His flow might echo American trap, but his tone is pure Caribbean grit. “I rep the islands heavy,” he affirms. “Too many people sleep on where we from. I won’t water down my accent. If you hear me say ‘gyal’ or ‘weh yuh deh’ – that’s authenticity. That’s my superpower.”
His sound is an evolution of cultures: rooted in Sint Maarten, influenced by the church, expanded in Europe, and elevated by a hunger to break molds. “I ain’t tryna sound like anybody else. I’m a product of cultures colliding.”
Omnitune Records: Building Legacy
The formation of Omnitune Records marks more than a business decision—it’s a declaration of independence. “Omnitune ain’t just a label – it’s a movement,” Bone explains. “I control my releases, my narrative. And I get to lift up other artists like me — from forgotten hoods, overlooked islands.”
This self-ownership extends to his long list of collaborators—over 40 artists across regions. But he’s selective. “Energy don’t lie. I link with artists who got passion, who ain’t scared to bring their truth. I want collabs that feel like conversations.”
He’s now part of a growing movement of Caribbean artists who aren’t seeking validation—they’re creating their own blueprints.
The Process and the Future
When asked about his creative process, Bone doesn’t mention trends or formulas. Instead, it’s feeling-driven. “It starts with a mood. I’ll hum a melody or catch a vibe from a memory. I write in layers — emotion first, bars second. Then I mix the beat around my voice until it hits.”
That emotional depth is at the core of his next big release, “Pain in My Soul”, slated for 2025. “It’s deeper than trap,” he says. “It’s about grief, betrayal, growth. It’s darker, more cinematic — real instruments, hard drums. This next chapter? It’s truth over trend.”
And beyond that? The goals are boundless. “Global stages, no question. I wanna score films, perform with orchestras, tour Asia, Africa, Latin America. Ain’t no ceiling.”
A Word to the Underdogs
When asked what advice he’d give to upcoming artists from the islands or other overlooked places, Kollah Bone doesn’t hesitate:
“Don’t wait for validation. You already enough. Learn the business. Talk your truth. Use your accent, your story, your scars — that’s your weapon. Be consistent, even when no one clapping. Never, ever dim your light to fit in.”
Legacy in the Making
With powerful visuals, deep lyrical conviction, and a sound uniquely his own, Kollah Bone is more than just an artist to watch — he’s an artist with something to say.
He doesn’t just represent Sint Maarten. He represents resilience, resourcefulness, and reinvention. And with “Trappin in Paris”, he’s proven that no matter where you’re from, your story can light up the world — one beat, one bar, one vision at a time.
📲 Watch “Trappin in Paris” on YouTube and stream it on all major platforms. For more on Kollah Bone, visit www.kollahbone.com and follow him on social media @kollahbone.
