I-Octane wants young artistes to ‘respect their elders’
Seasoned entertainer I- Octane believes all young artistes should respect those who have been in the business for more than a decade and are still relevant.
“Don’t confuse legacy with hot. You have to be dominant in the first two years of your career, but I can count 20 artistes before me who were hot and now are nowhere to be found. As an artiste, you have to make long-term decisions to take you to the next level,” he said.
The entertainer also pleaded with young artistes to become better versions of themselves.
“The reason I survived so long is that I realised early that I will not be the favourite, even now. Those who ruled me out have become an inspiration, and I have run an excellent race. Time ah the master, you don’t have to be the favourite, just be the best version of yourselves,” he said.
He said that he feels motivated to mentor young artistes because of the personal fight he got while he was coming up.
“When I was younger and hot, the older artistes bashed me, and said I didn’t know how to get out of Jamaica, I was just hot locally. They didn’t share the knowledge of how to get into foreign markets and establish links. But I learned the hard way and I am ready to share that knowledge with everyone who will take the time out to listen,” he said.
SEVERAL SINGLES COMING
I-Octane will be releasing several singles in the coming weeks as he prepares to launch his fourth studio album, Reggae Booth, in the first quarter of 2021.
He will be shooting visuals for singles like Check Out, Rasta Love, and Next. Reggae Booth is the follow-up to Love and Life, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Reggae charts and hit #1 on ethnic reggae charts in 21 different countries.
The album will feature collaborations with artistes like Gentleman, Agent Sasco, Demarco, and Stephen Marley. I-Octane’s daughter, Octavia, and his protégé, Banxx Di Artiste, will also be featured.