JESSE Jenda has developed a reputation as one of the most controversial artistes in contemporary reggae. His unapologetic stance on social issues has ruffled many feathers. In 1999, he even offered then Prime Minister PJ Patterson two pounds of ganja during a meeting at Jamaica House.Kween of the Morning Star. The lovers rock number is produced by California-based Infinity Records and distributed by VPAL Records.Kween of the Morning Star are appropriate at this time “because the empresses and queens have been stereotyped as gal, bitch and the most derogatory names. We want to address the real-life issues that put an equilibrium in the relationship between kings and queens earth-wide in perfect love ‘iniversally’.”Africa a Mi Land and Strong Black Woman which won him an audience in Europe and the United States.Kween of the Morning Star is expected to be part of an upcoming album Jenda is currently recording.

Now living in California and managed by Mightyful13 Records, Jenda (aka King Furnace) tones it down on his latest song,

The fiery singjay said songs such as

Many of Jenda’s songs encourage or salute black empowerment. These include

Another of his popular songs, Rude Boy Remember, was recorded in the early 1990s before he embraced Rastafari.

Born and raised in Vere, Clarendon, Jenda said he has been making music since 1977. Several of his songs were for producer Philip ‘Fattis’ Burrell’s Xterminator label.

Some of Jenda’s pronouncements, and actions, have not endeared him to conservatives.

His most controversial move came 17 years ago when Patterson met with music industry figures to discuss the industry’s impact on Jamaican youth. Jenda, an unapologetic advocate for the legalisation of ganja, presented a parcel of the weed to the surprised Patterson who declined his offer.

He has no regrets.

“Not in a trillion years. What I was telling tell the former PM is what they are trying to do now. How much I would have loved that the PM was the late PM Michael Manley. It is not shocking to I now, to see PJ Patterson mobilising the marijuana programme,” he said.

Howard Campbell