For most of his career, singer Challenger recorded music to the soca/calypso beats he was raised on in his native Dominica. But three years ago, he took a new direction.

He switched to reggae because of his passion for Jamaican music. Also, it allows him to be more creative than the limited soca and calypso.

“I switch from being part of a Caribbean band singing soca/calypso because I felt I had more to offer as a reggae artiste. My love for culture drives me to bring out messages that can help, uplift and bring changes in people’s lives as it influenced mine,” said Challenger.

Summer Bounce is the 37-year-old artiste’s latest song. Produced by Scrappy Da Rhydim God, it was released in July and is Challenger’s third song of the year.

Born Floyd Challenger, he grew up in a country where Zouk and Bouyon are traditionally popular. Artistes Lord Shorty and Lord Tokyo, as well as music from Trinidad and Tobago, also held their own in Dominica, but it was the sounds from Jamaica that caught the ears of Challenger.

He points to Bob Marley, Culture, Burning Spear, and Dennis Brown among his biggest influences from the 1970s roots era. Yellowman, Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, Garnet Silk, and Sizzla also helped shape his career.

Moving to Brooklyn, he was lead singer of Royalty Band, which plays largely Caribbean music on the Big Apple club scene, as well as Caribbean festivals in Canada and the US.

In 2011, Challenger released the EP, Man Is Just A Man.

— Howard Campbell