St Mary is often lauded as the parish that produces the most dancehall stars, but economically it is one of the most challenged.

In Reveal Fast, his latest song, native son Bibidon longs for better days.

Produced by Syn Citi Entertainment, the track was released in late May on the Friends And Foes rhythm.

“Wha’ yuh si happen most day is yuh frien’ dem a struggle. Mi been through di worst, so wi hope dis song can inspire di youths, not only in St Mary, to get up an’ do it,” said Bibidon, who is from Highgate, once the parish’s commercial hub.

Thanks to thriving banana and sugar industries, St Mary was one of the jewels in Jamaica’s crown. The Highgate chocolate plant in Bibidon’s hometown was once another beacon of national pride.

For the past 40 years music has been the parish’s most fruitful profession. St Mary has produced acts such as Nicodemus, Josey Wales, Capleton, Ninjaman, Lady Saw, and Admiral Tibet, but even that industry is on the decline, according to Bibidon.

“All a di big artiste dem come from St Mary, but yuh don’t even a proper studio fi record. Mi haffi guh Portmore when mi a voice,” he said.

Bibidon kicked off his recording career last year with Truth, which was followed early this year by Gratitude.

Like Reveal Fast, they are produced by Syn Citi Entertainment.