Typical of major cities, London has an indiscriminate music scene that encourages the expressive artiste, like singer Sweet P.

The 25-year-old and his Manager Andrew Taffe of ARD Records are in Jamaica for recording sessions with producer Sheldon “Calibud” Stewart. After being part of a vocal group and writing songs for other acts, he is reintroducing himself, as a reggae artiste.

“I wanna establish myself here by releasing some singles. The world looks at Jamaica for reggae music and once that happens, anything is possible,” he said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Sweet P introduced himself to a Jamaican audience last Monday, performing live at Triple Century Sports Bar in New Kingston.

His main assignment is recording songs with Stewart, one of contemporary dancehall’s top producers whose credits include Warrior King’s Never Go Where Pagans Go.

Though he has been recording for 10 years, Sweet P is using his Jamaican experience to rebrand himself as a “fresh artiste”.

Born Paul Matovu to Ugandan parents in West London, he remembers soaking up the city’s cosmopolitan sounds as a youth.

“You hear everything in places like Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove…Polish music, reggae. All those things were in my head,” he said.

In terms of Jamaican music, he tuned in to Beenie Man and Capleton.

“I like the older dancehall artistes, I think they were more creative,” said Sweet P.

After three years in the garage duo, Unyson, he went solo. But he also wrote songs for up-and-coming British artistes such as singer Loick Essien.

His appearance at Triple Century exposed his new persona.

“This is the first time people are seeing me as Sweet P,” he said.

His songs from the Calibud sessions are expected to be released this summer.

– Howard Campbell