Jahdon has another message
Eager to find an audience beyond roots-reggae Jahdon experiments with EDM (Electronic Dance Music) on Give, his latest song which was released in April.
The self-produced single also hears him giving a shout-out to some of reggae’s pioneers.
“This my first EDM release, it was a concept born out of inspiration. I’ve always enjoyed pushing artistic boundaries and incorporating diverse sounds. While my primary aim is to deliver a powerful message, I also strive to give my audience a unique listening experience,” Jahdon explained. “When you listen to the single, you will hear that it’s not strictly EDM, it’s blended with reggae and dancehall. I pay homage to the pioneering spirits of Jamaican music like King Tubby, King Jammy, and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, who laid the groundwork.”
Give is different in sound than Broomie and Congo Bongo, songs that earned the Clarendon-born artiste a growing reputation among neo-roots fans. It carries the message of his Rastafarian faith, which is a theme for most of those tracks.
Pain, Jahdon’s previous song, reflected on the death of his infant daughter. On
Give, he shows gratitude for life and projects resilience despite its challenges.
He hopes the difference in direction on
Give will resonate with fans into hip sounds like EDM.
“My message, steeped in the truths of Rastafari, knows no boundaries. It transcends borders, cultures, and genres. Whether in the heart of Kingston or the streets of Tokyo, the essence remains the same,” Jahdon stated. “It serves as a vessel, carrying the spirit of Rastafari to every corner of the globe.”
Before the rise of Afrobeats out of Nigeria, EDM was the global rage with most of the top acts in pop music experimenting with the sound. The genre’s biggest exponents were Major Lazer, a production trio whose influences included classic roots-reggae and dub.