Matrixxx tackles crime in latest song

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

One of the troubling aspects of Jamaica's crime problem in the last 15 years has been the high percentage of young men killed or being sent to prison.

The disturbing statistic has been analysed by sociologists and politicians. Singjay Vibes Matrixxx recently weighed in on the issue with Rude Bwoy Keith, his latest song.

"Is about a youth who neva listen to anything him brethren sey an' end up lose him life," Matrixxx told The Gleaner. "Is not something that happened with me, but is a message to the youth dem to stay focus'," he added.

Recorded on the Boops rhythm, Rude Bwoy Keith was written and produced by Vibes Matrixx (real name Howard Nembhard) who hails from the Hellshire area of Portmore.

Rude Bwoy Keith follows in the message of earlier Matrixxx songs like No Doubt About It and Lord God which were released two years ago.

Lord God was recorded on the Go Go rhythm, which produced hit songs by a number of artistes led by Vybz Kartel. Like Rude Bwoy Keith, No Doubt About It was self-produced for Vibes Matrixxx's Bruck Bulb label.

An electrician by trade, Matrixxx says music has always been his first love. He has been writing songs since his early teens and remembers going to dances in the 1990s, where he rocked to the culture beats of Garnett Silk and Buju Banton.

Matrixxx has been in the music business for some time. His first song, Opportunity, was recorded in the Bahamas, where he lived for two years and performed regularly on stage shows and at the Blue Nite Club in Nassau.