Yaksta pushes new music - Artiste also guiding young duo’s rise

Kemaul 'Yaksta' Martin is ready to drop his latest single and album, Chiquita and Late Bloomer, respectively, for fans to feast on in 2025.

THE STAR caught up with the artiste backstage at Saturday's Essence of Reggae Music Festival, held on the grounds of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew, where he opened up about his evolving sound, upcoming projects, and his mentorship of the rising and promising duo, Big 12welve.

Yaksta, who is known for his conscious and uplifting lyrics, addressed the noticeable shift in his music style, blending reggae's rich messages with dancehall's infectious energy.

"The conscious is becoming unconscious, and I see it. It's our music and our purpose to actually fix it. Not just me, because there are a lot of us. But really and truly, I'm just diversifying the message. Sometimes, you have to find a tactic that the youth are in tune with and tap into that to expose the message in the best way possible," Yaksta told THE STAR.

His commitment to broadening his reach is evident in his latest single Chiquita.

He boldly claimed, "I have the biggest song in the world right now! No song is bigger than mine in the universe. When Chiquita drops in Jamaica, come talk to me later." With such confidence, the anticipation for his upcoming album, Late Bloomer, set to drop in March, has only intensified. Yaksta also revealed exciting collaborations on the horizon. Fans can expect a track with Chronic Law titled Cease Fire, alongside features with the legendary Beenie Man and several African artistes.

However, beyond his personal projects, Yaksta is also shaping the next wave of talent with Big 12welve. Comprised of Mula Musa and Abo Dan, Big 12welve brings an undeniable presence to the scene. Discussing their latest release with Yaksta, Force, the duo described it as a song of power and motivation.

"It's uplifting music, and Yaksta came in and did his thing, bringing the energy and vibes to the people," the duo excitedly shared. Released just over a week ago, Force is already gaining traction on YouTube. When asked about their musical style, Big 12welve made it clear that they refuse to be boxed in.

"We do dancehall and reggae. But, really and truly, we dabble in everything because we're versatile artistes. We're musicians at heart, and we're just making music. We feel prepared to take on a bigger fan base now, so we're attacking the game at a different level," they added.

With their rap-influenced track Money Conversations featuring Skillibeng, the duo shows no signs of slowing down. In 2025, they hinted at solo projects that will further elevate their brand while showcasing their distinct artistry. With international collaborations in the works--including partnerships with country music artistes and Australian-based initiatives--they are set to expand their sound globally.