Norris Man to make Reggae Sumfest debut

Following three decades in music, veteran reggae artiste Norris Man is set to perform at Reggae Sumfest for the first time this year.

The artiste said his last performance in Jamaica was nine years ago on Rebel Salute.

"I have never worked Reggae Sumfest yet in my life. So that's supposed to tell you the struggles and where the fight is coming from and the politics and all of the things dem. I was blacklisted for being an outspoken person and also the controversy that surrounds me," the Home and Away singer told THE STAR, clarifying that he was speaking generally about the industry, and not Reggae Sumfest. He expressed gratitude to the show's director Cordel 'Skatta' Burrell for "vouching for him for the past two years" to be booked for the event.

Norris Man is scheduled to perform on International Night Two on July 20, which he said is a "good segment" for him to show his "maturity in music and the direction his career is currently going". Among the other performers are Beres Hammond, Luciano, D'Yani, Nigy Boy, Anthony B and Babyface.

"We are '90s artistes and we come upon the foundation of making good music, and we will continue to make music like that. [However] the sweetest thing for me is the whole excitement around the [show] and the anticipation of the people. It's harder if you're an artiste who have to go up there and try to go out of your way or do something out of your performance. But I have classics, I have timeless hits, so it is just for me to go out there now and show the people," shared Norris Man, who has been residing in Sweden for the past decade. Reggae Sumfest is slated for July 14 to 20, 2024 in Montego Bay.

Recently, dancehall/reggae superstar Sizzla addressed the 2007 fracas between him, his entourage and Norris Man at a staging of St Mary Mi Come From. An argument over performance times led to both artistes exchanging words, with Norris Man uttering lewd comments which incurred the wrath of Sizzla's team. Norris Man then received several physical blows. Sizzla also acknowledged that tension backstage due to the show's running order also played a part in the fracas. Norris Man told THE STAR that he believes the brouhaha has "tainted my career ever since".

"In your truth, it's very hard to go up against an artiste who is a much bigger artiste than you and an artiste of great influence and who have a big fan base. What would you expect, especially in a social media space?" he said.

"I will never be able to redeem myself because the fact that I stand corrected which the brethren [Sizzla] say I apologise to him [in] which he speak the truth, because I did apologise to him. But, whether he's responsible or not, his friends never have the right to put them hands on me," Norris Man continued.

Norris Man said that, despite not receiving an apology from Sizzla, they are "good [and] spoke on several occasions following the incident". Therefore, he is ready to move along with a refreshed approach and branding.

Norris Man is set to embark on a tour leading up to his Reggae Sumfest debut. His 17-track 'one-drop roots-reggae' album, titled Freeman, is also set to be released on July 26.