KINGSTON, Jamaica — California-based reggae artiste MoneyDonRed is pleased that his breakthrough single Jah Live Forever has been added to the playlist of New York’s Power 105.1, a major plus for the promotion and visibility of reggae music in the lucrative United States (US) market.

“This is a big move for reggae music, Jah Live Forever is a bonafide reggae song playing between songs like Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us, and Future’s Wait For U. We are one of the few acts representing for reggae in mainstream radio in the US,” the artiste whose real name is Astil Franklin said.

The single, Jah Live Forever, is a moving tribute to the powers of the most high. MoneyDonRed bankrolled a video for the project which has surpassed 3.2 million views over the last four months.

The American reggae scene is heavily centred in Southern California, with large scenes also in New York City, Washington, DC, Chicago, Miami, and Honolulu. For decades, Hawaiian reggae has had a big following on the Hawaiian Islands and the West coast of the US. MoneyDonRed is happy that authentic reggae sound can get some traction stateside.

“This development of getting reggae on a major US playlist is a big deal for reggae music, keeping that door open because we don’t stream as well as our US counterparts, but reggae is still a global force,” he said.

The artiste grew up in the Washington Gardens area of St Andrew and later attended Dinthill Technical High School in Linstead. He rechristened himself “MoneyDonRed”, a nickname given to him by his godson, Brandon and launched himself into his recording career.

“Red symbolises wealth and prosperity, while “Money Don” represents my growth and evolution as a recording artiste,” he explained.

He is currently working on an EP titled Jah Live Forever which will feature seven inspirational tracks. Some of the songs include the title track, as well as Thanks and Praise, Come Together, Humble Yuhself, Do Right, Confusion, and Found a Joy.

As MoneyDonRed continues to make inroads in the US market, he performed as an opening act at a hip hop show with US rapper-songwriter Rod Wave at Desert Sky Arena in Arizona last Friday.