Walshy Fire, a member of the multi-platinum selling EDM outfit Major Lazer, while working on several musical projects, has taken on various business ventures.

One of his latest ventures is a farm that he recently purchased in Miami.

“Yes, I bought a land and plan to do [plant] mangoes, vanilla beans, and rear a couple animals. Just a few things, but me just get the land,” Walshy Fire disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer at the re-opening of Sora Japanese Restaurant and Urban Lounge in the Progressive Plaza on Barbican Road.

Asked what inspired his move into farming, Walshy Fire said; “I’m an old man. Weh yuh ago do wid di money? I think an investment like this is a great investment. I think it will turn some profit, but will also be something that I can maintain and build a house on it. I just think its time to separate yuhself from the hustle and bustle, and just relax, and get the mind in tuned to the universe.”

Walshy Fire is also one of the owners of a Japanese style vinyl club called Dante’s Hi-Fi which is situated in Wynwood, Florida.

“I went to Japan and saw this vinyl bar, so that’s where the idea came from. It’s doing very well, and we’ve had some famous people coming through. We had Jazzy Jeff a couple weeks ago,” shared Walshy Fire.

Another business venture he is involved in is a weekly Afrobeats, Caribbean and Aamapiano party called The Shrine, which takes place at Red Rooster in Miami.

“We do this every Saturday in South Florida and we’ve had a couple of concerts, so we’re thinking of moving it to different cities. Hopefully we can bring it to Jamaica. It’s black people music,” said Walshy Fire.

On the music side, Walshy Fire released his latest single My Own, which features Ward 21’s Sukku and dancer Tahiri.

“Big up Sukku, a one a di baddest artistes inna di planet. I’m so glad to have been able to work with him from Black Chiney days straight to Major Lazer. The song is called My Own and it features one of Spice’s dancers, Tahiri, and she is bad. The song has the old dancehall feel, heavy bassline,” Walshy Fire said.

In March, Walshy Fire and his Major Lazer group teamed up with Major League DJz from Africa for an album of Amapiano music called Piano Republik.

“The Amapiano movement is a big one. We dropped an Amapiano album in March and this is slowly making an impact. Again, it’s black people music, house music. It’s just breaking down every wall,” he said.

A few months ago Walshy Fire was the subject of the American Masters series, which was produced an aired on the PBS.

He is excited to have been a part of the series.

“That was an amazing experience. If you know anything about American Masters, its nothing but legends that are featured on there. And so, for me to be in that group of people, I mean its strictly legends. So big up and I appreciate the experience of someone documenting me. I’ve put in a lot of work, and for me to be recognised on that level, is just unbelievable” said Walshy Fire.

The 47-year-old, whose given name is Leighton Paul Walsh, is the brother of former West Indies cricketer Courtney Walsh. Though born in Florida, he grew up in the Molynes Road area.

Since 2012 he has been a member of Major Lazer and has toured with the Black Chiney sound system. He contributed to the production of Major Lazer’s Apocalypse Soon and the gold-certified Peace is the Mission albums, as well as the Know No Better EP.

He released his solo project Walshy Fire Presents: ABENG featuring various artistes in 2019. That project peaked at #5 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

In 2021, Walshy Fire: Riddimentary Selection was released by VP Records.