Tifa, I-Octane happy to be part of Digicel's Legendary campaign

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Though they are not yet Legends, Digicel brand ambassadors Tifa and I-Octane are pleased with the company's decision to highlight them and others who have made an impact on music over the years during this year's staging of Reggae Sumfest.

As part of the event that will be held next week in Montego Bay, Digicel will be having a 'Legendary' theme.

"I think it's a good look and we often take for granted the treasures that we have here," Tifa told The Gleaner during an interview at Tuff Gong Recording Studio in St Andrew.

She said she had been inspired by people like Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Shelly Thunder, Lady Saw, Lady G, Lady Mackerel (now Macka Diamond), Ninja Man, Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Patti Labelle, Mary J. Blige, and a host of other artistes.

She said she even gets inspiration from 'legends in the making' like Mavado and Vybz Kartel.

"Regardless of what personal issues are happening, they are all legends in their own right. Mi grow up pon dem people deh. My upbringing open me to a wide array of singers. I draw inspiration from a lot of people," she said.

I-Octane lauded the 'Legendary' theme and Digicel's move to fuse younger artistes like himself and Tifa into the theme. He listed artistes like Bob Marley, Sizzla, Beres Hammond, Burning Spear, Freddie McGregor and Peter Tosh as some of those he thought were legends.

High energy

For this year's Reggae Sumfest, Tifa said patrons can expect a "high-energy performance. I am going to try to wow and surprise the crowd as best as I can. I always have an element of theatre. I intend to entertain the crowd."

Keeping his words to a minimum, Octane spoke about what he has planned for the event.

"The place a go bun down," he said.

Tifa recently released music videos for Get Flat, Swaggin' with Wayne Marshall and Fambo and Wedding Chapel as part of the Matrimoney medley video. She said she will also be doing ballads for producers Ward 21 and Donovan Germain. These are all ahead of a mixtape she will release later this year and an album next year.

I-Octane is still on tour and will be returning to the United States for a show that will also feature Jadakiss this weekend. Leading up to an album release in October, he said he has a lot of local gigs lined up.