FRUSTRATED at not being able to get a breakthrough after 17 years, singjay Venjahnce walked away from music in 2009.

This year, the 42-year-old entertainer decided to take another crack at it by returning to the recording studio and creating fresh material.

“Wi jus’ write some tune an’ get mi thing back together ’cause wi have a lot to sey,” he said.

Going the Wrong Way, Only Love I Know and Looking For a War are some of Venjahnce’s comeback songs. He plans to perform a mix of new and old songs when he appears on the GT Taylor Christmas Reggae Extravaganza Thursday at Independence Park in Black River, St Elizabeth.

Going the Wrong Way, his latest release, reaches out to wayward youth. Venjahnce, who is a farmer, believes he matured during his five-year break.

“Wi put a lotta thought in the music, yuh nuh. Even if wi bun Babylon wi keep pon a certain level,” he said.

Venjahnce was born in Sheffield, Westmoreland. He grew up listening to acts like Dennis Brown, General Trees and Papa San, his biggest influence.

His first recording, Gal Ginigog, was released in 1992. He considers 1996’s Defend Money as his most successful song to date.

— Kevin Jackson