Koli ready and rehearsing to hit another stage

Cahban Rekords signee Koli is reminiscing about his performance as an opening act at the 2019 Hennessy Artistry Dancehall Acoustic live show.

"It wasn't nerve-racking," he says modestly. The up-and-coming artiste's catalogue is miles away from that of established entertainers who were the headliners, but, motivated to please the audience, he put his best foot forward.

"I was rehearsing for some time, and that stayed in my head, along with the voice of people hyping me up to give me confidence. As an entertainer, you know it might nuh guh as planned, but that's exactly what happened. I ended up having to interact with some females at the front of the stage before returning to my original routine ... that felt good," Koli told STAR on the Rise.

The St Catherine-raised artiste has been rehearsing for when the time comes to hit another stage and sticking to a routine of writing, recording and releasing music that feels good, like Lockdown, that dates before the pandemic; Jamaican Billionaire, a motivational breakthrough, and his latest On Me, "a straightforward, raw reflection of a personal reflection".

The new single, like most of the 31-year-old's music, sounds like a fusion of several genres but unmistakably has Jamaican roots. Whether he is deejaying about his dreams or the pain of dealing with the heartbreak of losing a child, his music reads like a story of maturation that could resonate with any man.

"Everyone has their own story; mine is just about me doing me. I won't say too much, if people just listen to the songs they will hear that life has taught me some valuable lessons," he said.

Koli did what he knew best, spoke from the heart, and, in the moment, realised another reason to make a change to focus on his passion, music. He said, "I'm learning to balance; balancing your passion with academics, because from experience it gives you power and enables you to take on life more maturely."

His professional career as an artiste started about five years ago, but he's still just as excited to push further.

"People take life too serious. Even on social media, people are too sensitive, and I want when my music is introduced to the reggae and dancehall industry or globally, they get that I am just telling them to just enjoy life and how to explore ways in doing that," Koli continued.

Previous releases: Lockdown, Jamaican Billionaire, Titanic, Anti-Friend, featuring A-Verse, and Epitome.

Choice of name: It comes from Coley, his surname, which means 'bright fame' or 'people's victory'. It is spelt Koli for artistic expression.

Past performances: High Beam Live Music Series (July 2019) and Hennessy Artistry Dancehall Acoustic (November 2019).

Most dangerous/bravest thing done: Tattooing the word 'anomaly' on his left eyelid.

Three books Koli recommends: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki, Richest Man in Babylon by George Samuel Clason, and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.