Guyanese dancehall star to make Sting debut

For the past week, Toronto-based Guyanese recording artiste Negus has been checking out the dancehall hotspots in Jamaica to get a feel of the atmosphere in preparation for his Sting debut.

He made a guest appearance at a community treat in Bull Bay, and was hoping to make it to Ghetto Splash but met with some challenges. Negus told THE WEEKEND STAR that he has been having an amazing time on the island.

"Even though I've worked with Jamaican dancehall acts, I have never been here before and I came about a week ago, in anticipation of gaining some experience of the night life. The people have been receptive to my music, and I'm fully prepared to take on the main stage next Monday," he said.

Negus, given name Alwin Nurse, has always gravitated to music and it's no surprise that dancehall became an interest. It helped that his father has a long history in the entertainment industry in Guyana. Kenneth Nurse, more popularly known as Small Man, was the manager and recording artiste of a popular Guyanese music band called the Mingles Sound Machine.

"The band would back artistes like Red Rat among others, and I was exposed to that from an early age. I come from humble beginnings, growing up in a volatile community of Middle Town and Albouystown and I knew that music could be my way out," he said. "I moved to Canada over 15 years ago, and established a studio and record label, Street Platinum Records, as well as a tattoo shop there. That's where the business is at. Every now and again I go back to see my family in Guyana, and have even performed there at the Revelation Sound Clash which also featured Tommy Lee (Sparta)."

He has been able to capitalise on collaborations with talented dancehall acts and producers. Negus worked with Billboard producer Jr Dillinger on his EP Survivor, and produced tracks for Tommy Lee Sparta, the most recent being I'm Holding On which was released last year. He also worked with Konshens on a track titled Dah Whine Yah which was produced by Blackspyda Records. Most recently, he co-produced and was featured on Hungry Days with Chronic Law, which was released on October 1. Negus said that Jamaican culture is his style and that he feels at home here. His accomplishments and singles such as Love You Forever and Sell You Out have caught the right ears.

"It's a great feeling to be a Guyanese, doing dancehall and to be invited on a mega platform like that (Sting). I'm not looking to gain anything but more listeners. But if somebody wanna clash me ... mi psycho and mi think me can deliver. I can't wait to experience it and I just want every person who comes out to watch and every artiste to unite even as persons look for the action-packed performances and even the clashes," Negus said.