Barrington Levy secures int'l acts for new album

Reggae tastemaker Barrington Levy is preparing for the release of his first album of brand-new, original Levy-led music in 25 years.

Now the Living Dangerously hook man is ready to come back on the scene, with a star-studded album called Survivor.

"We all have faced some difficult times in our lives. This album is for those people who have not crumbled under defeat. This song celebrates those who have the strength to carry on and be strong," he said.

Levy said the album is about where he's coming from and wondering where he's going.

"I am a great survivor, but Survivor is not only about me. It's about people who been through stuff and live to tell the tale," Levy told THE STAR. The first single, G.S.O.A.T was released on March 10.

"It's a musical puzzle," Levy said of the song. "There's gonna be times when it's gonna be a question. G.S.O.A.T? What does it mean? Listen to the song and you'll know. They will get it in the long run," he continued.

Levy told THE STAR that the upcoming album will feature the likes of reggae stars Damian Marley, Beres Hammond, dancehall star Ce'Cile and American rappers Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss and Busta Rhymes.

Levy began his performance career at the age of 14, and his career has achieved international and critical acclaim.

BEST VOCALIST

In 1984, Levy was awarded Best Vocalist in the British Reggae Awards, cementing his status as a successful international reggae star.

In that same year, Levy was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the first reggae artiste to simultaneously hold the number one and two positions on an international music chart.

He said the album is completely mixed and mastered, but still not ready to be released. The second single will be called Virus, but fans are not to expect the new tune for a least the next six months.

"We're gonna work this one, so we give the fans a chance. You confuse the fans with too many releases," he reasoned.