Weh Dem Up To: I-Wayne remains busy touring and collaborating

Usually delivering his high-minded, Rastafarian-focused music at the top of his vocal register, I-Wayne has rooted himself as perhaps one of the most identifiable falsetto voices in contemporary reggae music.

His signature easy and delicate tone, coupled with a robust catalogue featuring classic songs like Can’t Satisfy Her and Book of Life, have assured this roots-and-culture and dancehall performer a regular place on the stage.

That’s why this summer, despite having no new, notable releases, I-Wayne remains as busy as his colleagues on the European summer music festival circuit.

THE WEEKEND STAR caught up with the reggae star upon his return from Canadian Reggae Sunfest at the end of June.

“We have a few shows inna Jamaica as well. I’m bringing as usual the same reggae stuff with a ‘blem’ of dancehall, because, you know, we have to be versatile,” I-Wayne said.

During his visit to Europe, fans can look forward to I-Wayne’s usual treatment at Bagnols Reggae Festival in Bagnols Sur Ceze in France from June 25 to 27, at Reggae Geel in Belgium on August 2 and 3, and at Reggae Jam Festival in Germany from August 2to- 6.

I-Wayne said he looks forward to going to Europe because it’s always a great, albeit different vibe.

“They love the reggae. The reception ... I just find a different vibe, you know wah me ah seh?” he said.

With summer in full swing and dates on the books, it would be the best time for I-Wayne to release some new music – and he plans to.

However, the releases are not a matter of self-promotion. Now in the recording booth, the Life Seeds singer is working on collaborations with some young artistes.

“Ico Flames, Cece Capone, Clymaxx, just to name a few,” he said.

Some of the collaborations are ready for listening, while some are not yet mixed and mastered.

“We still working on some,” I-Wayne continued. Additionally, the artiste has tried on the ‘producer’ hat.

“Mi have a riddim named ‘River Nile’ with Sizzla Kalonji, Queen Ifrica, Turbulence, just to name a few. A whole heap of artistes on it; some young artistes, too,” he said.