Most reggae artistes based overseas are eager to make a mark in Jamaica. Mission da Gr81 is no different, and making a mark in the land of dancehall-reggae is big on his list for 2025.

Last year was prolific for the South Florida-based deejay in terms of recordings. He released four songs including Hostage, My Life Is A Movie and Sekkle which gained steady rotation on Caribbean radio in that region and New York.

The St Mary-born Mission da Gr81, who has lived in the United States over 30 years, is looking for a similar response back home.

“The plan is to get more familiar with the people on the ground and try to change up the negativity that is plaguing the place. I am putting out some conscious music, more reggae with some bits of dancehall, just to make the connection with the right people,” he said.

Since officially launching his recording career four years ago, Mission da Gr81 has rubbed shoulders with some of those ‘right people’, including Jon FX, a producer who has worked with platinum-selling rapper XXXtentacion, Sizzla and Gyptian.

Jon FX produced Sekkle and Hostage, another of his songs released in 2024.

Mission da Gr81 has his eyes set this year on appearing on some elite Jamaican shows like Reggae Sumfest and Sting.

“Those are the top shows in Jamaica that the world looks forward to seeing yearly,” he said.
Reggae acts who live outside of Jamaica yearn to get an audience here. In the 1980s, British artistes like Steel Pulse, Maxi Priest and Dominic made the charts in Jamaica with roots-reggae, lovers rock and dancehall songs.

In recent years, their compatriot Bitty McLean and New York-reared Demarco have made Jamaican charts.

– Howard Campbell