With Reggae Sumfest’s live concerts slated for July 22-23, the Jamaica Observer‘s entertainment section continues with the sixth in the series on key moments from the show as well as artistes slated to perform.

AFTER earning a Spotify plaque for more than 2.5 million streams for Soy Una Estrella, Mexican reggae artiste Jah Fabio is preparing to deliver a memorable set tonight at Reggae Sumfest.

“I’m just gonna enjoy and live the dream. [This] is more than a dream mi ah tell yuh. Give thanks Jamaica, give thanks to the people and also people can feel my vibes and seh, ‘OK, him good.’ Cause really and truly I don’t want to thief your culture and stuff like that. I respect your culture a lot. I respect everything from Jamaica so I want to show that to the people pon stage,” he told the Jamaica Observer‘s Splash through a thick Spanish accent.

Soy Una Estrella was produced by local Jamaican-based Contractor Music Group. It also features incarcerated deejay Tommy Lee Sparta.

The entertainer — born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico — said he is honoured by the latest achievement.

“I feel really happy with the plaque. I have to say give thanks Contractor Music. I have to say give thanks my team…I feel really happy because mi ah come from overseas and mi get a plaque. It’s really good for me,” said Jah Fabio.

The Mexican native said he was first introduced to the reggae genre over two decades ago, and fell in love immediately. He first performed at Sumfest in 2018.

“I was introduced in 1995. I hear dancehall from the ’90s. After that, about 1997, I hear reggae with Bob Marley. I decide[d] [to pursue] reggae because I feel the vibes. And at that time, I don’t understand nothing; but I feel the vibes,” he explained, noting that his favourite reggae acts are Shabba Ranks, Papa San, Michigan, Bob Marley, and Peter Tosh.

Jah Fabio has collaborated with Al Pancho, Gyptian, Tommy Lee Sparta, Bobo David, and Vybz Kartel.

“It was always a dream to visit Jamaica one day, but I never dream [of] being in Jamaica and doing music and having a career and people enjoy my music. Mi haffi seh give thanks to Jamdung,” he said.

His second stint at Reggae Sumfest comes through familiarity with the team at DownSound Entertainment and Sean “Contractor” Edwards.

“Contractor help me a lot to stamp my name in Jamaica. Give thanks DownSound Entertainment too ’cause they open the door for me and support me and push me and mi can deh yah two time,” said Jah Fabio.