'Like A Lion' roars on to airwaves

Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer

Reggae artiste Cali P's latest song, Like A Lion, has been creating waves since its release.

The song's greatest endorsement thus far is being used as the soundtrack for a documentary feature film of the same name about seven-time ESPN X-Games gold medallist, Tanner Hall.

Speaking with The Gleaner, Cali P said, "It's a really positive step for my music and reggae music in general. Mi really happy because when mi see what I can bring to Jamaica, it's a great feeling. I have been getting a lot of good feedback from the people about the song and the fact that it was used."

Originally from Guadeloupe, Cali P lived in Switzerland and has decided to settle down in Jamaica to grow his fan base from the origin of reggae.

He started doing music professionally about 10 years ago and, since then, has done performances all over the world including at the ESPN Winter-X Games in Aspen, Colorado, and at major stage shows such as Summerjam, Rototom Sunsplash and Zenith.

He said, "I've been all over Europe and the Caribbean. The only place(s) that I haven't been is Australia and Japan."

He kicked off his musical career in 2000 as MC of the Gideon Soldiers sound system.

Born in music

His father, Marso, is also a musician as he is one of the founders of Akiyo, one of Guadeloupe's biggest bands.

Against that background, music was mostly what he did in his spare time. He played drums, sang, wrote, and listened to songs by Bob Marley, U- Roy, Peter Tosh and Burning Spear, as well as R'n'B, jazz and other genres.

In 2008, he formally introduced himself to the reggae industry when he released his 20-track debut album, Lyrical Faya. The first single, Keep In Touch, was recorded live and speaks about love over distance, feeling close to someone who is far away. The video for that song was recorded in the United States.

Like A Lion, I Know There's Life, Right Around The Corner, Dreadful, and the inspirational Jah Rules the World are just some of those that have become popular.

Like A Lion is the most popular, Cali P said it has been getting a lot of airplay on Irie and Zip FM, as well as radio stations in France and Switzerland.

"People from all over a call mi, a seh dem hear the song a play on the radio, and everywhere wi tune in wi hear it a play," he said.

The Josh Finbow-directed video for Like A Lion is to be released in a few days.

Cali P is also one of the heads behind Inspired Music, a newly formed company which deals with various aspects of entertainment.