ZiGGi RECADO 

Ivan Ricardo Blijden was born in 1981 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and raised by his grandparents on the island of St. Eustatius in the Caribbean, where they gave him the name Ziggi. Of Antillean descent and shaped by both European and Caribbean culture, he would go on to build one of the most internationally diverse careers in independent reggae music.
 

Emerging in Amsterdam as “Best Artist” and “Best Live Act” (PP2G Awards), ZiGGi’s early career announced a singular voice in the genre. His debut album “So Much Reason” earned him “Best Album” at the PP2G Awards, while his track “Blaze It” peaked at No. 1 in the official German reggae charts. In 2009 he received the prestigious Silver Harp at the Buma Harpen Gala, one of the Netherlands’ most respected music honors.

With his second studio album “In Transit” released via VP/Greensleeves Records, ZiGGi toured extensively throughout Europe and beyond — performing at Roskilde (Denmark), Lowlands (Netherlands), Couleur Café (Belgium), Cabaret Sauvage (France), Reggae on the River (California), and stages as far as India and Africa. “Need to Tell You This” from that era became a landmark record, generating tens of millions of streams and building a dedicated following that spans Europe, the Caribbean, and Central America to this day.

His third studio album “Ziggi Recado” on VP Records followed in 2011, with the hit “Mary”, and 2014 saw the release of “Therapeutic” via Zion High Productions — produced entirely by the Zion I Kings and widely regarded as one of his strongest full-length works, featuring the standout collaboration “Earthstrong” with Midnite.

In 2016 ZiGGi took full control of his creative and business future, founding Nayamari Music — his independent label based in Aruba. As CEO, producer, and anchor artist, he has since built a growing catalog of fully owned releases including the EPs “Ivan The Terrible” (2016) and “The Commission” (2017), featuring collaborations with Pressure Busspipe, Gappy Ranks, Wafande, Cali P, and Blakkamoore among others.

Now based in Aruba with his family, ZiGGi Recado enters 2026 in his most prolific and focused chapter yet. His recent singles “Same Realness” and “Trod Straight” on Nayamari Music reflect an artist operating at full creative command. His latest single “Boom Meditation” via Oneness Records has been making strong waves internationally, with the follow-up single “One Step Forward” releasing May 29th, 2026 — the second single from his upcoming EP “Elevation” on Oneness Records.

Beyond his own artistry, ZiGGi produces and develops artists under the Nayamari Music umbrella, including Statian artist Big Shenn, whose debut album “Born to Be” — produced entirely by ZiGGi — releases June 2026.

With over 20 years of international career experience, tens of millions of streams, and a catalog built on ownership and longevity, ZiGGi Recado is not chasing trends — he is building something that lasts.