Maroon Town's Jesse Royal rises to the top

Claudia Gardner, Assignment Coordinator

WESTERN BUREAU:Young roots reggae star, Jesse Royal, was among the artistes from western Jamaica who ignited the stage on International Night I, last Friday night, at Reggae Sumfest 2014 festival.

Royal, who has his roots in the rural farming community of Maroon Town in St James, was gracing the Sumfest stage for the first time.

Not only did the young Rastafarian take charge of the stage, but he put on a spirited performance similar to that which he did at the Rebel Salute reggae music festival in St Ann in January this year, where he upbraided the political leaders for letting down the people of Jamaica.

displeased with the gov't

When Western Focus caught up with Jesse Royal backstage following his performance on International Night I, the 25-year-old indicated that his earlier onstage utterances and the messages in his songs are being made because he was displeased with the manner in which governments, past and present, have been treating the people of Jamaica.

"What we are deliberately doing right now, is making the people know that the power is back in our hands. We don't have to complain about what the Government isn't doing. We can start doing things ourselves, because in reality the Government is just elected to fulfil our desires that we need as a society; what we think we need fi function comfortably," the artiste, who also refers to himself as 'The Small Axe' said.

"So we realise that these governments really have no love or concept of caring for us, so we have to start caring for each other, and that starts by putting back the power inna di people dem hand. (There are) too much powerless people or powerless vehicle," Jesse Royal added.

25-track mixtape

Any music lover who happens to listen to Jesse Royal music will find him to be a consummate writer and a lyrical powerhouse. His biggest hit to date has been Modern Day Judas, a song which takes aim at deceptive politicians, but he is also known for the widely acclaimed This Morning, Wadada and Hotta the Battle.

Just last week, he released a 25-track mixtape, a collaboration with Walshy Fire of Major Lazer, which has been recognised by many in the reggae music industry as an inspirational masterpiece. The production features lyrical barbs at what Royal refers to as "egotistical governments" via songs such as Preying on the Weak, Talk To Me, Little Did They Know, World Cry and Greedy Babylon.

The compilation also features Royal's romantic side with love songs such as Butterflies, If I Give You My Love and Baby Let Me Be. Gimmie Likkle Herb, an ode to the marijuana sacrament, is also found on the compilation, likewise Clear My Head in which Royal, in criticism of the long-standing denigration of marijuana, notes that leaders "legalise alcohol and even cancer stick (cigarettes)".

Two of the other standouts are the pulsating tribute to the motherland titled Dreaming of Africa and another paying homage to Jamaica titled Jam Rock. Jesse Royal also sings about his personal mission to aid in elevating the youths of his generation through Silent River, This Morning, Light like a Feather, and Journey.

Royal has toured sections of the United Kingdom, as well as Zimbabwe and Brazil, and will leave later this month for performances in Belgium.