For his 16-track album, Apex, dancehall/reggae artiste Bugle sought the talents of several of his peers from the music industry. Established names such as Maxi Priest, Buju Banton, Damian Marley, Tifa, Capleton, Barrington Levy, and Rory Stone Love are among those who lent their talents to the project, which was released on August 23 via An9ted Entertainment/Evidence Music.

Apex also shines the spotlight on up-and-coming acts including Chaps, GiHrl, and reggae mainstay Ras Shiloh and Military Man.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Friday, Bugle shared that it was a strategic move to embrace both established and newcomers on
Apex.

“It definitely was strategic. There’s no superstar to me like my local superstars. I’m more excited to work with a Maxi Priest than an Usher, with a Barrington Levy than a Chris Brown, because these are the artistes whose music I grew up listening to. I’m always trying with younger artistes; if you check my track record you will see I’ve never put out an album without a young artiste on there,” said Bugle.

He added: “It was a great experience working with the artistes. Just like the title of one of the songs on this album, you have to have patience; God and time, because money couldn’t get it done the way I got it, only love and respect could.”

Apex touches on a number of topics ranging from social issues to matters of the heart.

Bugle explained the thought process that went into creating the album.

“I really just wanted to do better than what I did before and, because of that I’m always competing with myself, so everything is strategic, the rhythms, the features, and the producers,” he shared.

This is Bugle’s fifth full-length release, and he says he continues to grow musically.

“I’m always growing, and there’s always room to grow even more,” the
Rasta Party artiste stated.

Tracks on Apex include Brutal Murderer, a remake of Barrington Levy’s 1984 nugget
Murderer (Levy is also featured on the track), Come Strong featuring GiHrl, Heart Too Clean featuring Chaps, Love Again with Maxi Priest, Inside Warm with Tifa, Thank You Lord with Buju Banton and Damian Marley, and Hopes (Small World), which interpolates Capleton’s 20-year-old hit That Day Will Come.

Bugle shared the reason for including a remix of Murderer on the project.

“Murderer has been a favourite song of mine for years now, so when I was approached by [producer] Flava McGregor to work on that song I jump at the opportunity. The people that I worked with on this album were hand-picked so they knew exactly where my head was and where I’m looking to go with this project,” said Bugle.

Born Roy Thompson, Bugle emerged on the music scene in the early 2000s. He is best known for the hit songs Nuh Compatible, Journeys, What I’m Gonna Do (Exercise Everyday), Anything Goes, Pearly Gates, and What Have I Done To You.

His previous albums include Be Yourself (2017), Anointed (2014), Picture Perfect (2019), and Toxicity (2021).

He also released two EPs, Reggae Knowledge and Lifespan.