Jah Innocent credits mother for his determination

Former ‘Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall’ contestant Christopher ‘Jah Innocent’ Nembhard has stepped on to the dancehall floor and dropped the single ‘Tip Up’, released by a self-titled independent record label.

The reggae singer told THE STAR that dabbling in the genre showcases his versatility as a recording artiste.

“I’m not abandoning reggae; dancehall is our culture, too,” he said.

He hopes the song will rival his most popular reggae single, Mama You’re The Sweetest, dedicated to his mother, Pamela Johnson, and all maternal figures who have endured hardships to raise their children to be strong and independent.

The last child for his parents, Jah Innocent credits his mother for his resilience.

He recalls missing school because he went to the market to assist with transporting the goods she sold there.

There, he would entertain residents from the community of Elliston District, Manchester.

“When it comes to music, my mom does not have anything bad to say, whether it is dancehall or reggae. Moreover, she is my biggest fan. That is why it was important to do a song dedicated to her,” said Jah Innocent.

Even before entering the competition in 2010, Jah Innocent had made many attempts to break into the music arena.

Despite the lack of success, he remained unworried.

He continued to showcase his talent at every opportunity, always repeating his mother’s words, “Whatever dream you have, you must go for it”.

“I have a genuine love for reggae music, but no matter the genre, my mom is always happy to know that new music is coming out with my name on it. So, any song – reggae, dancehall – they are dedicated to her struggles to make things better for me and my siblings,” he said.