MUSIC industry executive Brick Bronson was in Kingston last week as a guest judge for the Digicel Rising Stars talent contest.

It was his second visit to Jamaica; his first was for an entirely different event.

“The first time I came here, I was the best man at a wedding in Montego Bay. I never got a chance to really feel the culture of the people as I have now since my arrival in Kingston,” Bronson told splash.

Bronson is CEO and co-founder of 36Brickhouse, the company which manages American rapper Waka Flocka Flame and hip hop production team 808 Mafia. He also does consultancy work with rappers Gucci Mane, Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug.

Originally from Afghanistan, the 35-year-old Bronson resides between Los Angeles and Toronto. He spoke about working on Rising Stars.

“When they contacted me I was intrigued and curious. I was eager to learn more about the contest and the talent it can potentially produce,” said Bronson who has links to Jamaican artistes.

“I just started to work with Kranium and Chronixx in particular, but my interest in working with various artistes from Jamaica in an effort to provide alternative sources of income, stretch far beyond music.”

Bronson was the latest high-profile judge on this season’s Rising stars. American singer-producer Bryce Wilson and Haiti-born producer Jerry Wonda preceded him.

Waka Flocka Flame’s upcoming album as well as the score and soundtrack to rapper 50 Cent’s hit cable TV show, Power, are among Bronson’s current projects.