Like most contemporary artistes, Zale makes music he hopes will appeal to a diverse audience. However, the singer-songwriter is not prepared to jump on popular “riddims” to achieve that.

The singer-songwriter prefers patience, which he called on for Don’t Stifle Dreaming, his latest release.

“I want my music to reach people, but that’s a marketing task, separate from the creative process of making music. When I create, I try to only think about what is resonating with me in the moment,” Zale told Observer Online. “Of course, I will try to add in catchy elements, but that’s tuned to my own taste.”

The Spanish Town-reared artiste wrote and produced Don’t Stifle Dreaming, which encourages young people to make their dreams a reality, even when discouraged by naysayers. Its positive tone reflects his outlook on life.

“I feel like so many people I talk to had a dream but chose a more ‘realistic’ path. Or so many people aren’t really fulfilled, but just going through the motions. And I’ve just always wished more people could follow their dreams and that more people were encouraged to try,” he said. “So that’s what this song is; it’s to light a fire in people that inspires them to go for the life they truly want.”

Zale’s songs, which include Journey and Sunday, are inspired by eclectic sounds he heard at home and Campion College, his alma mater. His mother was big into rocksteady, roots-reggae and American rhythm And blues, while in high school he listened to Bob Marley, Junior Gong, Runkus, John Mayer, Erykah Badu and Ed Sheeran.

With Don’t Stifle Dreaming, he encourages people to avoid negative peers.

“First, understand that it’s often coming from a place of insecurity or fear within themselves. And ask yourself, “Do I desire to live in the way this person is living?’ If not, then maybe take their advice with a grain of salt,” he reasoned. “If I want to be fulfilled in life, I’d rather listen to people who are themselves fulfilled.”

— Howard Campbell