Mikey Spice trims his dreadlocks

When reggae balladeer Mikey Spice takes to the Rebel Salute stage this weekend, there will be one noticeable change in his appearance.

The singer, who gave hits like Born Again, will be without his trademark long, well-groomed locks, and he is not remotely apologetic about what he calls his "awakening".

"I wasn't born with locks, I had it long enough and needed a change. I am at a place where my I am illuminated and exposed to a wider knowledge and understanding ... I have a purpose and it doesn't take locks to achieve it," the son of a preacher told THE WEEKEND STAR.

A dreadlocked Mikey Spice last performed on Rebel Salute in 2020, and he acknowledged that his new look in 2024 "is going to be a shock", but emphasised that his performance "is not about the physical, it is the word that is given".

He admitted that post locks, he struggled for a while, but now he is embracing the livity.

"Everybody seh mi look younger ... and mi nah lie, mi love the compliments," an animated Mikey Spice said.

But, of course, there are some of the Rastafarian bredren whose comments go something like this when they see him: "How di I cut off di I locks?"

He would prefer if the focus would be to give thanks for being alive - especially after the pandemic that snatched so many lives - and the opportunity to see others face-to-face without restriction.

In-between talk of God, and quoting scripture, Mikey Spice made a strong case for the business aspect of the music to be championed by all and sundry.

"We really need to treat the business aspect of the music like a real business. Everybody just not having any insight," was the lament of Mikey Spice, the bald head, who shared that his hair is growing back.

Determined not to go down a rabbit hole, he instead spoke of his intention to deliver a message at Rebel Salute in Priory, St Ann, that will impact even one person in the audience.

"We never lose that bug in the stomach when we get on the stage ... but to whom much is given, much is expected. It's about what you are asked to deliver to meet the needs of those who are waiting. Rebel Salute is now 30 ... that in itself is a miracle. Tony Rebel is mi friend and we have to lift up him and the team for holding it for 30 years despite the struggle," Mikey Spice proclaimed.