Reggae singer I Wayne delivered what was arguably one of the best sets at this year’s Reggae Sumfest.

Staying true to his Rastafarian roots, the singer not only served up sweet melodies but messages urging fellow Jamaicans to stand firm on morality.

Known for speaking out against homosexuality, domestic violence, oral sex and other issues, I Wayne lamented that Jamaica is on a downward trajectory because citizens have embraced immorality.

“A baay wickedness a gwaan pan Earth. Mi nuh wah see no man and woman a war; we should be living in love,” he said at Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex at the recent Sumfest. “You have some boys and some girls who do all kinda things wid dem mouths and then kiss up the babies. All when a your baby, once you do certain things and kiss the baby, a diss yuh diss the baby… Mi haffi defend the baby dem.”

His mini sermon triggered both laughter and screams of approval. Either way, I Wayne’s message resonated.

The singer continued his set, delivering songs such as Seeds I Sow, Living In Love, Book Of Life, and Bleacher as he encouraged the audience to be wary of the lessons being passed down through generations.

In a post-performance interview with the Jamaica Observer, I Wayne vowed to continue spewing “lava” on wrongdoers as the future of the nation depends on it.

“We haffi protect and preserve life so mi a do dis fi life ennu… Mi wah the children dem fi hear this, the world fi hear this. Real and positive. Protecting and preserving life, that’s what I’m about,” he said.

When questioned on why the public seldom hears from him, the singer said that may be a result of the media’s choosing to promote negativity rather than spreading positive messages.

“More while some good things just scarce and, of course, even the media, it looks like more while dem push the negativity more and it’s like a war, good against evil,” he said. “It’s a battle, but, as mi say, we haffi keep fighting this battle because the children dem a listen.”

—Shantae Grizzle