Common Kings

Common Kings is a pop/rock ensemble that draws heavily on soul and reggae influences, with guitarist Taumata Grey, lead singer JR King, bassist Ivan Kirimaua, and drummer Jerome Taito comprising the lineup. Ancestral connections to Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga informed the group, who established themselves in Costa Mesa, California, and built a reputation through live performances marked by a relaxed yet energetic atmosphere. Independent singles they produced themselves began appearing in 2011, and two EPs followed in 2013: #WeOnTour Soundtrack and Summer Anthems. Three additional tracks surfaced in 2014—"Your Turn," "Kingdom Come," and "Before You Go"—each shaped as complete, radio-friendly singles. Their six-track EP Hits & Mrs. came out the next year while they assembled material for a longer project. The band’s first full-length album, Lost in Paradise, appeared in 2017 and included production from Poo Bear, DJ Flict, Dwayne "Supa Dups" Chin-Quee, Jens Koerkemeier, and Rami Jrade.