By SHAILA A. MENTORE
Trinidad & Tobago’s newest singing sensation Jamelody is not a soca artist, but a multi-genre entertainer. The lover’s rock crooner is the reggae world’s next Garnett Silk; with his flowing locks and soothing voice, Jamelody is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
His debut album Be Prepared , which was released in May, features hits like the title tack “Be Prepared,” “Love Crazy,” “Ithiopia” and “Pressure”. Be Prepared was the first song Jamelody released, and he says that since people are likely to recognize him for it, he wanted to give the album the same name in an effort to maximize his record sales. A potent mix of reggae, soul, gospel, rock and R&B, the album does a phenomenal job at showing Jamelody’s versatility as an artist. “I want the world to know that Jamelody is not an ordinary artist, he is a brand new voice, with brand new vibes, and brand new everything toward music,” the artist said during a Telephone interview with WhereItzAt.
Jamelody mentions the difficulties and challenges with being a reggae artist coming out of Trinidad & Tobago and credits hard work for his success thus far. Michael “jamelody” Williams was born and raised in Carenage Trinidad back in the early 1980s. “Nope, I’m not giving my age,” says Jemelody. The youngest of six children, it was not long before his parents and older siblings saw that he had a talent for singing. As a member of a very tight-knit religious family, it’s no surprise that young Michael would be part of the church choir. There, he sharpened his chops while embracing his savior.
As a teenager he started to write songs that were highly characteristic of classic R&B. Listener’s began to take notice of the fledging soul man. On a trip to Jamaica he was introduced to super reggae producer Bobby “Digital” Dixon and the rest is history. Though it was a challenge for him, he’s excited to be one of the first reggae artists out of Trinidad & Tobago to be signed to VP Records. “I always knew getting this opportunity would be a lot of hard work,” Jamelody said, but contends “who Jah bless, no man curse.”
It is not often that an artist with such a calm and laid back disposition enters the music industry, and is genuinely passionate about his music and wants to touch people’s lives in a meaningful way.
Though Jamelody is a new artist, he is ready to put in the work, and plans to set himself apart by making his music more touching and different. “I have to practice what I preach, I want to be real, my music has to explain a lot about who I am,” the artist said.
Originally part of a group called Brothers with Voices, Jamelody decided to pursue a solo career because his island did not have the support and strength to sponsor the group, which later split because, according to Jamelody, the members were more occupied with their jobs and family. However, he maintains that he has not forgotten them, and still has love for them.
The spelling of Michael Williams’ stagename was previously Jah Melody, but in order to make himself and his sound more marketable, he was advised to change the spelling of his name, so as not to be labeled or pigeon-holed by Rastafarian misconceptions.
Some of Jamelody’s musical influences include Boyz II Men, Take 6, Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Sizzla, Jah Cure, Burning Spear and Peter Tosh. His personal influences are God, his parents, his siblings, his friends, and his girlfriend, who he calls his wife because of her love and support for him.
Jamelody is aware of his responsibility as an artist and is not afraid to let his fans know that he is always going to give them the right music to keep them in the right mode and state of mind. So be prepared to fall in love with this sweet voice from sweet, sweet T&T.
