Jahshii ready for Rebel Salute

Dancehall sensation Jahshii says he is "completely overwhelmed" to be appearing on the stage that has featured many pioneers of reggae and dancehall for the past 29 years.

Friday will see Jahshii, whose given name is Mluleki Tafari Clarke, make his Rebel Salute debut at Plantation Cove, St Ann.

"Honestly, me jussa anticipate the performance, and me fully immersed in the rehearsal process," he told THE WEEKEND STAR.

The Grants Pen, St Andrew, native has dominated the streets with songs such as Born Fighter, Born Fi Dis, and Cream of the Crop, a catalogue that is curated to fit the conscious music that patrons of Rebel Salute have come to know the show to deliver. Jahshii demonstrates he is capable of commanding the attention of large audiences and his performance style has been likened to that of dancehall icon Rodney 'Bounty Killer' Pryce, who is also billed to perform on the same night.

Jahshii looks at Rebel Salute as a "great way to start the year" and he is urging Jamaicans to make the effort to make the pilgrimage to St Ann this weekend.

"Is a up and up for me. Rebel Salute is a platform me look forward to grace its stage from me likkle. Me look up to it before me even step out pon the platform of music, before we even reach to where we are in the industry right now. Make sure unuh forward out," Jahshii said.

He also stated that the purpose and concept of Rebel Salute was about saluting "the rebels who come before us" and that he has special plans for his performance which gives tribute to them.

"All ah we [entertainers] ah rebel inna our way and deserve a salute [so] as a born fighter we haffi out deh and represent, yuh see me," the deejay shared. "Me a look forward fi see all the performances."

Jahshii, 21, is one of few who will represent the new generation of reggae-dancehall on Friday. Yaksta, Kabaka Pyramid, Rytikal and Nation Boss comprise that list of fast-rising acts. Tony Rebel is also anxious to see how Jahshii, and others of the same era use the platform.

"It will be interesting to see what he brings to a show like Rebel Salute," said the iconic reggae artiste and CEO of Organic HEART Group. He performs on Friday night as well.

Others taking the stage on night one are Lady G, Duane Stephenson, Louie Culture, Pluto Shervington, Ernie Smith, The Abyssinians and Horace Andy. The annual two-day music festival, which boasts itself a world-class event that delivers a wholesome experience, roots reggae culture and healthy living also features various exhibits, educational demonstrations, and public discussions featuring dynamic panellists.