I had to prove myself at Sumfest - Rygin King

Dancehall's youngest sensation Rygin King was perhaps the biggest surprise act to come out of Reggae Sumfest this year. The entertainer, who dubs himself dancehall's 'young king', was making his debut performance at this year's festival. He perhaps had a lot to prove, as many, save for some in his hometown of Montego Bay, have never seen him in action on stage.

Having performed in a prime-time spot on Dancehall Night, there was a lot riding on his performance. But the fast rising star did not disappoint, as he delivered an exhilarating set that helped to seal his place as one to watch out for in the near future.

In an interview with THE STAR, Rygin King said that he was well aware he had to prove himself worthy of being called dancehall's youngest king. The latter, he said, fuelled his performance as he did not want to be given the crown based on the fact that he was on home soil.

"Me know me did haffi prove miself. As the young face in dancehall, you always have something to prove. Me know how people stay and me never want dem say me people dem bias towards me because me inna me place. Me go out there and give it me all, because me want show people say me worthy," he said. "Of course, your people a go rail fi yuh. Dem see you go through the struggles and happy yuh reach a stage like Sumfest, but dem also a rail because dem know wah me capable of. My performance was never about proving myself to MoBay people, me come give it everything fi show everybody else say me have it."

The entertainer said that he was nervous about his debut performance, but says he is happy with his delivery last Saturday morning. "Me happy wid wah me do on stage. A nuh just now me a wait pan sup'm like dis, so me did haffi go out and give it everything. A me first time, but me sure it nah go be me last. It was the most anticipated performance for the whole night and me show the people dem who in demand right now and why."

Delivering songs such as Tuff, Learn and How Me Grow, by the end of the night the artiste was dubbed by many as the best act on Dancehall Night.