FOUR years after coming to prominence, Jahmiel felt it was time for the release of his debut album. Produced by DJ Frass and Chimney Records, that project, titled Great Man, will be released on July 26.

“I’ve been headlining shows where thousands of fans come out to see me perform my singles, so I was like, ‘why not?’. If I can pull such a large crowd then I think it is only fitting to make an album for my fans,” the 26-year-old singjay told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.

Great Man has 12 songs, including Don’t Wanna Lose Yuh, the lead single which is produced by Chimney Records. Treasure, which has also been released, is produced by DJ Frass.

The set also features collaborations with up-and-coming singer Moyann and Tarrus Riley. Though there will be no tour to promote the album, the Portmore-reared artiste is set to perform in Bermuda and Europe this summer.

Jahmiel, given name Jamiel Foster, broke out in 2015 with the hit song Gain Di World. Other popular songs followed, including Strongest Soldier (2017) and A Better Tomorrow.

With his career showing signs of an international take-off, he realised it was time to finally produce an album.

“Well, this is something that I love; I love recording an’ I’m always in studio, so it wasn’t hard to record the songs. I put out the work an’ now it’s just for me to watch it do weh it fi do. I’m not saying, ‘Oh I’m expecting a Grammy from the album’, but this is something I feel good about an’ expect greatness from,” he said.

The 26-year-old artiste had a strong European summer tour last year, performing in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Sweden, France, and Spain. He also did a show in The Gambia.

Young artistes are known for facing obstacles along the path to stardom, some even falter. For Jahmiel, challenges propel him.

“If mi go through something weh mi nuh like, mi put it in a song an’ the people dem feel it. Remember, what is to be must be, so it’s not about how easy or how difficult things are. Whatever happens, I just put that into my music an’ turn it into something positive,” he reasoned.

Jahmiel added that he is progressing at his own pace.

“I live without limits, so for me there’s no three or five-year limit on what I can achieve. Without putting out the work you, cyaa expect much…I’m doing what I love an’ all I expect is straight upward movement from here. Every day, I put in the work an’ is just upward movements,” he said.