KINGSTON, Jamaica – Magnum Top Peforma winner for 2021, King Calie is among three Jamaican artistes selected for a nine-day songwriting retreat and performance festival.

The retreat is a collaboration between the Telem Uncommon Sounds, the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington, DC, and the Honorary Consul of Sierra Leone in Jamaica.

The event is being held from November 10 to 19.

The other participating artistes are Rica G, whose primary mediums of expression are spoken word, bass guitar, and tuba; and Jamila Falak, Jamaica’s only singing upright bassist. Jamila is also the founder of the Plant x Play initiative, which is a community of creatives working towards philanthropy and climate action.

These artistes will be joined by additional guests from the United States

Reacting to his participation in the event, Calie said, “It feels good to know that you put in the work and it a get recognised. [It’] another thing under mi belt where I can say ‘I did that’. Recognition is always good and everything counts as a stepping stone.”

Expressing gratitude at being selected, Calie added that she is working closely with a professor who had close ties with the Honorary Consul of Sierra Leone in Jamaica.

“She was also a part of the master’s in residence programme we did with FiWi Jamaica back in 2015, where we did songwriter’s workshops and performance workshops and kind of just started the process of polishing the craft so that we can be here today to say we do this professionally,” Calie further stated.

After winning Magnum Top Performa, King Calie released several songs, including King Inna Dis, which was released earlier this year.