Hot Topic puts it on the Altar
Hot Topic is a firm believer in the power of prayer. That’s the reason he was perturbed by all the references to black magic, the occult, and Obeah which have crept into dancehall music.
“Right now, I am saying prayers over science; there is too much Obeah talk in today’s music. So I was inspired to do this new song, Altar, to show people that prayers is everything, God is the only power, and I know that based on the economic struggle that I grew up facing and a realisation of where I am at now. The feedback on my new song is very positive, so much so that we’ll be shooting a video for it in January,” said Hot Topic, whose real name is Calvin Wisdom.
The song, released on the Power Forbes Music label, will be released on all download digital platforms on January 7. The song is released on the Prayers rhythm project — a version of the iconic Far East rhythm — that features other artistes such as Ziddy.
Born in Bloomwell district in Clarendon, he grew up in Waterhouse, Kingston 11. He attended Thompson Town High where he showed an early flair for music. Hot Topic recorded his first song, Calling Out for Love featuring Sizzla, in 2017 .
He entered Digicel Rising Stars in 2008 and the festival song contest twice, under the monikers Rasta KeeKee and King Solomon. Both times he made it to the top 10. In 2019, he linked up with producer Power Forbes inking a recording deal and started to fine-tune a new sound, and changing his name to Hot Topic.
Hot Topic’s most popular song so far is Shake It featuring labelmate Ziddy. His other songs include Man Swine featuring Big Wayne, Chance, and Rich This Year.
He is currently working on a six-song EP which will be released later this year.