Ten years ago when Bamm Holt decided to take music seriously, he was hesitant about jumping into a recording career before learning the basics. But there was something even more important on his mind.

“Mi neva waan people hear mi song dem an’ sey, ‘A John Holt grandson dat an’ him soun’ suh?!’ Right now, mi ready fi di world,” he declared.

Bamm Holt, whose sound is a mix of reggae and hip hop, is scheduled to launch his music career on Friday with Money Problems, a song produced by Alan Ulisses from Spain.

“Mi glad to finally get it out. Wi making different music, something dat people can look forward to listening,” he said.

One Thing is another song Holt hopes to release soon. Produced by Gold And Goals Productions, it and Money Problems are included on Bolt, his EP, which is scheduled for release in November.

The Spanish Town-reared Bamm Holt (born Scwayne Holt) refers to his sound as reggae-fusion. It is a hybrid inspired by his roots as grandson of John Holt, a reggae giant, and his father Junior Holt. The hip hop-driven beats he heard while living in New York can also be heard on the two lead singles.

While Jay-Z and Nas are among his biggest influences, the 27-year-old artiste points to his grandfather as the teacher who guided him when he began mulling a music career.

“Gramps a di man! Him teach mi how to approach di music wid melody,” said Bramm Holt of his legendary grandfather, who died in 2014. He feels no anxiety following in the elder Holt’s path.

“I don’t really consider it pressure, it’s more like a blessing,” he said.

John Holt has one of the most extensive catalogues in reggae, studded with songs like A Love I Can Feel, Stick by Me, Stealing, Stealing and Strange Things. Though not as prolific, Junior Holt has had relative success in a 30-year career.

After a decade-long educational procedure, Bamm Holt is happy to get off the mark. Like his beloved “Gramps”, he plans to keep busy and record quality songs.

“Mi cyaan stop listen him catalogue. Dat’s what I want to do, do a lotta song an’ give di people something fresh all di time,” he said.

— Howard Campbell