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February 02, 2008
Meet Conscious crusader I-Octane
By: Joan Wilson
He wears an infectious smile, does good uplifting music and he is more than ready to launch big time on the entertainment circuit. So far he is off to a great start as he has been nominated in the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) awards for Best New Artiste and in the Reggae Academy Music Awards for Best Reggae Video for 'Stab Vampire.'
YardFlex had a one to one with the 22-year-old Taurian who hails from Sandy Bay, Clarendon – joining the long list of talented artistes coming out of that parish.
I-Octane who prides himself on being a crusader for culture through his hard hitting social commentaries says he writes 90% of his songs and his inspiration comes from life itself.
Although he shared a healthy passion for the music, he never really took it serious in school. In fact he started pursuing a course in architecture at the Knox Community College "but lack of funds soon put a stop to that," he confessed.
With the door shut on that goal he turned his attention to the passion he had for music.
Since than he stepped up his game to become more visible in the often turbulent and cutthroat road to dancehall stardom. He worked at more barbecues and small stage shows, and tried harder to get his voice on a record. As fate would have it, words spread in dancehall circles about his exceptional natural ability, and he was approached by the famed Donovan Germain to do work with Penthouse Records.
In 2000, he recorded 'Oh Jah', 'Stepp A Seed' for Penthouse, plus 'Love In The streets' with Beres Hammond, Buju Banton and Assassin. These artistes are in no uncertain terms the cream of Jamaica music, so Octane took their decision to record the track with him as solid treatment to his talent. Working with than turned out to be much more than a mere morale booster
He later moved on and another friend introduced him to Junior Arrows who was impressed with his talent and signed him to a management contract.
Since then he has recorded songs like 'Stamp Class', 'Gun Rise' (with Teflon) and 'Stab Vampire' which catapulted him into the spotlight becoming a hit single.
YardFlex couldn't help but pick his brain on the state of the dancehall now...but with that diplomatic smile he explained, "life is growth, everything can't be on one page. Everyone couldn’t come with one dimensional music, it would be boring!"
Well, it's more social commentaries, lovers rock and defense songs from this conscious crusader.