Although his mother was a gospel singer and his father operated a sound system, Legato didn’t have a smooth journey in music.

As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until he participated in Stages Canada competition a few years ago, and the opportunity for him to tour Canada became a reality, that Legato saw his efforts begin to bear fruit.

“My musical journey has been a roller-coaster ride. I’ve had many ups and downs, like Buju Banton said, ‘It’s not an easy road.’ But on my journey I learned to be resilient, and the key to success is determination and hard work,” Legato told the Jamaica Observer on Friday.

Originally from the small community of McNie, which is on the border of Clarendon and St Ann, Legato currently resides in Mississauga, Canada.

He highlighted some of the issues he has faced since he got into music.

“I have experienced mismanagement, communication issues, and individuals who want to control my music and musical expression. I have also had experience with producers who withhold my music by not releasing them, as well as the lack of promotion. With that being said these experiences have taught me to be independent and to never let anyone one distract or mislead me from my journey,” he said.

Legato (real name Robert Tivan Annakie) has the #1 song on the Rebel Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart with Reggae Music Still Deh Ya. The song, he said, was inspired by the good old days of peace and unity.

“Honestly, you know it’s the culture that inspired me to write this song, Reggae Music Still Deh Ya. Remember the good old days when music was all about peace, love, and unity; not violence, screaming, and drugs.

“Reggae music needs to be heard, people need positive vibes and to remember that brings back good memories. All who say reggae music gone them wrong; reggae music lives,” Legato explained.

Reggae Music Still Deh Ya was released last June and is a co-production between Venjahnz Music and Legatomuzic Production.

“I’m not surprised at the response that the song has been receiving, because I know my talent and the type of songs that I sing are roots and reality. So far, the song as been getting a buzz here in Canada and international people are receptive of the message that good reggae music is missing,” Legato stated.

He added: “Hearing that the song is #1, the feeling is a great feeling. It’s a joy to know that people are hearing the message of my music and love it. I grew up on reggae music and to know the message that I’m here to spread is loved by many.”

“Music really started for me in high school [Kellits High in Clarendon]. We had plenty of school concerts and competitions. During that time I competed with my schoolmates, and this helped me to build up my courage and stage performance. While doing that I realised my peers and teachers enjoyed what I was doing,” he said.

Prior to relocating to Canada, Legato, who was formerly known as Snypa, performed on shows in Ocho Rios, Negril, Portland, Montego Bay, and in Kingston.

He has had songs rotating on local FM radio, including Marijuana, Cancel Dem, and Siance.

He shared why he had initially entered the Stages Canada competition.

“I entered Stages Canada by a good friend of mine, Billy Joe Media. He introduced me to the organiser, Carrie Mullings. I was looking for a break in the music industry and I thought, ‘Stages Canada will take me places.’ However, COVID-19 [pandemic] came in and slowed down the process. But that still didn’t stop Carrie, who got my two songs in rotation on Vibez 105.5 radio station in Canada — Never To Late and Who Dis Now. By having these two songs in rotation in Canada opened up my fan base internationally,” Legato recalled.