ONE of St Thomas’ latest reggae acts Jah Currant, whose given name is Paul Morgan, has vowed to perform only conscious lyrics and not to be swayed by popular culture.

“I always sing cultural songs and even when I do dancehall lyrics I ensure it remains positive because crime and violence ‘tun up’ and so I need my music to be different,” Jah Currant told the Jamaica Observer North East from his Trinityville home town in his parish, recently.

The sing-jay, who is preparing for a two-month tour in Canada this summer, said he views it as a personal responsibility to write lyrics which will have a positive influence on the nation’s young people.

“My music has to be different so the youth can be inspired to make a difference in society,” he said, further explaining his reason for not descending into the arena of dirty lyrics.

There is a market for positive lyrics, he said, and getting the right music out to the populace is more important to him than the glitz and glamour of the entertainment business.

Jah Currant said the lyrics of his latest single Jail House, produced on the Old House Label, is an example of incorporating positive messages in his music.

“That song Jail House is telling the youth that jail it is not a good place to be and that ‘sorry’ ah di song weh ah sing a jail house and so yuh nuffi try fi reach there,” he explained.

The artiste said his repertoire consists of an ever-expanding number of original pieces.

“I write all of my own lyrics which are inspired by daily happenings all around me,” Jah Currant told the Observer North East.

Like a lot of other performers, Jah Currant said he developed his musical talent as a youngster in church and this was influenced by his mother who is a gospel singer. However, it was not until 2005 that he got the opportunity to pursue his dream and recorded his first single entitled To be a Man.

He has received rave reviews from local fans, having performed at shows all over Jamaica. But Jah Currant has bigger dreams and wants to not only become a household name in Jamaica, but to win over the international crowd as well. Hence the upcoming tour.

Jah Currant previously went by the stage name Humble Prophet, but changed it because he felt the current name is better aligned with the spirited performances he is known for giving.

“One day I was in MoBay performing and when I finish and come off stage a lady come to me and say she felt the current and that is how me teck di name Jah Currant,” he said with his trademark smile.

In addition to prepping for tour, the artiste said he is currently working on an album, which is about four songs shy of being completed.

“I am getting a lot of air play both locally and internationally and I can see that this is just the beginning,” he maintained.