KINGSTON, Jamaica — From when he was a child, Garfield “RealJedii” Fishley developed a love for football.  Although he often played for fun with his friends at school and in his community, he never thought of playing the game professionally. However, he’s honouring the sport in his day job as a musician.

Late last year, Fishley made his production debut with the rhythm project aptly titled Balla.

“The name for the project was inspired by my love for the game. The inspiration also came from the need to alter the trajectory of dancehall music for this generation. Just like football, I want to start a movement that pushes and inspires, and brings that energy and dedication to the music,” said Fishley.

Florida-based Fishley, who is originally from Portmore, worked with a number of up-and-coming and established acts to get the project off the ground.

Featured on the Balla rhythm are Sugar Daddy by Future Fambo, Balla by Frassman Brilliant, Style a Chop by Flexx in the Complex, Roll Out by New Kidz HD, Dangerous by Dehjavue, Murder by Inezi, With You Tonight by Cathy Matete and Bag Juice Money by King X.

“The Balla rhythm compilation juggling is actually my first full project that was released on my label Jediimusiq late last year; however, Summa by GLe was released on April 5 this year,” said Fishley.

He added, “Getting the artists on the project was not very difficult at all, in fact they all were very receptive of the project.  Ironically, doing the Sugar Daddy track with Fambo was an epiphany to say the least and the Balla track by Frassman Brilliant was just profound in how it became the signature track.”

According to Fishley, his interest in music grew during his teenage years.

“My passion for music developed naturally from my early teens and grew stronger, as most of my friends were either making beats, producing music or singing,” Fishley disclosed.

He is pleased with the feedback to the project, which has seen significant streaming numbers around the world.

“The response to the project has been a super positive one so far! Judging from the DJ’s and disc jockeys spinning the records. And from the demographics showing streams are doing very well in regions such as, the United States , Jamaica, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Mozambique, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Japan,” he explained.

Summa, one of the songs featured on the project and recorded by GLe, is already being touted as the song to watch for the summer.

“Besides the summer itself, the song was inspired by a conversation between my producer and I, about how hot it was across the world. It is overwhelmingly hot in the peak of summer. So, listening to the rhythm, I realised that it was magnificently ideal for the thoughts I’ve been gathering, thinking about the hot summer. Hence the song Summa,” GLe explained.

There have been several summer hits through the years which have left an indelible mark on the dancehall music space.  GLe says Summa is distinctly different from the others.

“It is distinctly different because Summa brings a sense of unity and peace towards the whole summer vibe across the globe. It also emphasises the fun and joy that summer brings to each individual.  The feedback has been phenomenally surprising because of how people have been gravitating towards not only the song, but also towards me as an emerging artiste,” the Portmore based GLe reasoned.