A-Verse challenging dancehall stereotype

Up-and-coming recording artiste A-Verse is challenging dancehall critics who believe that the genre's impact on the minds of youth is primarily negative.

"I believe my story is a prime example of the good that comes out of dancehall," he said. A-Verse said that he did not grow up with either parent, and moved around various parishes.

"However, I have always gravitated to music whether it was gospel or of the secular genres, but dancehall was always at the fore," he said. "I started high school during the time of the Gaza/Gully saga and constantly tuned in to the clashes and music that one artiste would use to counteract the other. It gave me something to do and to believe in despite the violent nature of some tracks. I would fall asleep with music on my mind."

A-Verse, given name Kevin Francis, also gravitated to the music of Aidonia and Busy Signal and saw their careers as motivation.

"Whatever career path I would take, whether in management or production, I knew I had to be part of the (music) fraternity," he said. The recording artiste has coined the tagline 'R-U-F-F' which he said stands for, 'Revolutionary Uprising Freedom Federation" which he hopes people will hear and follow.

Explicit but provocative

"I can be explicit but provocative for the most part and my writing should inspire people to act in revolutionary ways where they are not afraid to speak against what is considered a standard and it should make them feel good," A-Verse said of his music which is a fusion of pop and dancehall.

His latest project is the Lucid Lunatic EP, a collaboration with Verses Music Group; he anticipates a February release. Two of the six songs, High Together and Winter, have been released.

"Dancehall music has made me into the man that I am and anyone listening to my music would be surprised to know that, based on what people think of the genre. I know there are a lot of new sounds but I know mine can definitely pave the way for better," he said.

Previous releases: Problem, Play and Grind, and Tonight.

Go-to sport/exercise: Football and long distance running. He looks up to Cristiano Ronaldo and the Real Madrid football club.

Surprising fact: He is a former head boy of Glengoffe High School in St Catherine and was elected based on popularity and his talent for speaking.

Good/Bad habits: Has a tendency to sit for hours writing lyrics for songs, so he often finds himself neglecting other responsibilities which he says can be both a good and a bad thing.

Favourite Jamaican proverb: 'Every hoe hab' it 'tick a bush' which he learnt means 'everyone has something and somewhere that is for them'. For A-Verse, he believes music is his 'tick a bush'.