WHEN Superstorm Sandy ripped through parts of the United States east coast last November dub poet Akuna Matata was transfixed to coverage of the natural disaster that left hundreds homeless.

It inspired him to write Sandy, a poem he eventually recorded for Main Focus Records, a small label located in the Grants Pen area of St Andrew. Like many message artistes, current affairs provides material for most of his work.

“What I write is mostly about the times, it really depends on what is happening at the moment,” says Akuna Matata, who is in his early 50s.

Other major events, such as the election of Barack Obama as America’s first black president in 2008, have influenced his recordings. So too sensitive social issues such as abortion and Jamaica’s unreliable transportation system.

Abortion and Transportation are two of the nine songs Akuna Matata has recorded for producer Diavallan Fearon. Those songs comprise an album yet to be released by the label, which also operates out of Grants Pen.

Born Errol Smith in nearby Barbican, Akuna Matata grew up in Grants Pen which had a vibrant music scene during the 1970s and 1980s. It was once the stomping ground of roots singer Edi Fitzroy and his Food, Clothes and Shelter band as well as deejay Burro Banton.

Typical of Jamaican youth in the turbulent 1970s, Akuna Matata says music was a big part of his upbringing especially the roots message of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear and Culture.

But though he wrote profusely, Akuna Matata never got an opportunity to emulate his heroes until four years ago when he cut Obama for Fearon.

Lack of recording opportunities have never frustrated the self-described entrepreneur.

“Nuthin’ happen before it time, yuh nuh, cause the songs wi do are timeless,” he said.