FORMER Rising Star top-10 finalist, Universe, is hoping to make his mark in 2016. He is pinning his aspirations on his latest singles Taking Off and WPR (Waltham Park Road).

Produced on Jepomax imprint, both singles are scheduled to be released in the next couple of weeks. “We’re promoting them ahead of the official release. The videos for both singles have been shot as well,” the singjay told Jamaica Observer yesterday.

Universe describes Taking Off as a “girl’s song”, while WPR is an ode to the community he has calledhome for the past three years. “Taking Off is a song for the ladies. It’s about meeting a girl at a party and feeling the chemistry between us… falling for her. It’s a nice song.

WPR is about Waltham Park Road. It just biggin’ up the whole community … from Bay Farm to Cassia Park, all the areas pon the Waltham,” he said. Universe said he’s also booked to perform at Spring Break at Long Bay Beach in Negril on March 12.

He plans to unleash his new material at the event. “It’s the first time I’m performing on that show. As a youth growing up, mi always hear about Spring Break and wanted to go and see what it was.

But right now, mi a go down deh and a perform… That to me is extrodinary,” he told the Observer. Universe (given name Devon Clarke) was a top-10 finalist in the television talent series Digicel Rising Star.

He feels the exposure has prepared him for the next phase of his career.

“Me have a package for the music industry, mi just waan a chance fi show the people,” he said.

A former student of Old Harbour High in St Catherine and Calabar High in Kingston, Universe got his studio break in 2003 with Gimme di Weed. His other tracks include What a Gwaan and Hard Life.

— Brian Bonitto