Weh Dem Up To: Yvad hopes to make comeback with new EP

Reggae artiste Yvad was once touted as the next big thing in reggae music.

His debut album, Young, Gifted & Dread, released back in 1996, received rave reviews from music critics, and after meeting Cedella Marley, who became interested in his music, he went on to tour the world with the Marley family. The singer got off to a blazing start in the industry, but eventually fell off the grid and was relatively quiet for some time.

Determined to make a comeback on the music scene, the singer recently released a new EP, and he believes the project has what it takes to jump-start his musical revival.

"I spent a lot a time in the studio working on this EP and the album to come early 2018. Next year, I want to make my mark, so I hope to be touring and promoting my works," he said. "The EP will feature five tracks, including Riverton, Tribute, Hungry Belly, Just Waiting, and No Chalice. Tribute and Riverton have been getting great rotation on radio and TV, so I'm expecting the entire project to do well. This EP represents the first step on the next album journey and will certainly feature some collaborations that we are currently working on."

The EP was officially released on November 13.

MANY DOORS OPENED

Yvad told THE WEEKEND STAR that signing with Tuff Gong opened a lot of doors for him as an entertainer and allowed him the opportunity to work with a host of established music personnel, including Clive Hunt, Wayne Hammond, Lenky Marsden, and Twiggy.

The singer explained that perhaps the competitive nature of the reggae industry had something to do with him not blazing the trail many expected him to. But having attained a musical maturity over the years, the entertainer has welcomed the idea of competition.

"The industry is highly competitive, but a little competition is also healthy," he said. "Every industry has a lot of players in it, and so reggae is no different. It is the voice of the masses, and like everything else, some will rise and some will fall."

Yvad is currently signed to Nubeat Entertainment Limited.