Chris Martin enjoys jetsetting weekends

Entertainer looks forward to African return

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Chris Martin jetted out on Thursday to the United States where he performed in several cities.

The singer, who late last year embarked on a 22-city tour of Europe with German reggae star Gentleman, before returning in time to celebrate Christmas at home, was the headline act in Charlotte, North Carolina. Martin also performed in Orlando, Florida, along with veterans Sanchez and Wayne Wonder on Saturday. The same line-up will perform on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale.

The pocket-sized entertainer with extremely huge ambitions, performed in Charlotte for the first time. Before leaving Jamaica, he said, "I plan to bring a high-energy performance," adding that he expected lots of screaming girls.

"You know I am always trying to get the females involved."

The shows were all about lovers' rock and reggae soul, the type of music Martin said he prefers.

"I am going there to show my interpretation of reggae music," he said. "It should be something to talk about. That's the impression we try to create in every performance."

Martin returned from the three-city jaunt in time for his birthday yesterday. However, he won't be in the island for long, as he leaves again the following weekend for shows in New York. In early March, he leaves for his much-anticipated return trip to Africa where he is booked to perform in Kenya. Negotiations are also well advanced for him to perform in Rwanda.

Last year, Martin was named Male Artiste of the Year. The award was part of the Kingston 10 Reggae Awards which was in its third year. The awards seek to recognise reggae and dancehall artistes who listeners of Homeboyz Radio 91.5 FM and Uptown 91.1FM in Kenya consider to be the best in reggae and dancehall.

The radio stations are based in Kenya with Uptown 91.1fm being Africa's first dedicated reggae and dancehall station, and are a part of a continuously growing market for reggae music on the African continent. Martin told The Gleaner he was really looking forward to the African experience.

"I am really looking forward to Africa. It's where I was named Artiste of the Year and the people look at us as superstars," he said.

He believed there were opportunities in the 'motherland' for emerging entertainers like him.

"Africa is a developing market so we have to put our best foot forward," he said.