With a musical heritage deeply rooted in the Caribbean, up-and-coming West London singer Haile has embarked on a solo career he’s hoping will lead to him adding to the region’s rich legacy.

“Growing up in the United Kingdom, it was a multicultural territory where you are subconsciously influenced by many artistes and sounds. I grew up listening to lovers’ rock and dancehall, but I also had older siblings that listened to R&B. I had a very strong relationship with music from a very tender age and I knew this was what I wanted to do,” he told Jamaica Observer. “My sound entails different sounds that I grew up on. But right now, I’m zoning in on a lovers’ rock vibe and I just want to be able to tell my stories in a way that adds to the Caribbean’s rich musical history.”

Determined to draw on the musical inspiration garnered from the likes of Beers Hammond, Buju Banton, Dennis Brown and Bob Marley, Haile believes he has a formula that will set him apart in a highly competitive industry.

“I am telling my stories of growing up in the UK with Caribbean heritage and I feel like that will give a different perspective and story on how I experience things from someone who is in the Caribbean and experiencing life on the ground… It’s a unique experience that still has loads of familiarity, and I think that’s what will build the connection with listeners. If I tell these stories with consistency and produce good music, that’s what’s going to separate me and keep me in the minds of music lovers,” the singer shared.

Haile is no stranger to the entertainment scene. As one-third of London-based group WSTRN, he got his breakthrough in 2015. But as he tells it, while the group was no doubt gaining its fair share of stardom, he felt it was time to light his own path.

“I think being in the group I definitely had a solid fan base beforehand, but I also felt like, in terms of adding depth to what we wanna speak about, we reached a ceiling,” he shared. “I believe we were all individual members who had experienced different things that we may not all relate to as a trio, and that’s why I decided on an individual movement. I just think now was the right time.”

He is hoping his solo single, Halfway, will connect with new fans.

“Halfway is a song that could be about loads of things; from relationships to friendships, but it’s just about striking a balance in everything you do. It’s also about people changing and watching things blossom,” he said, highlighting that so far, listeners love the track.

“People really seem to love the new sounds I am on a journey with right now. Locally, people think it’s quite refreshing to hear reggae in such a modern approach, because I don’t think there are a lot of people pushing that approach right now, especially as artistes from another part of the world,” he said.

Haile