During his years on the Spanish Town sound system scene, singer Swag 16 regularly belted out a version of Part Time Lover, the 1985 hit song by Stevie Wonder.

Early this year, he finally made his recording debut and inevitably it was a cover of Part Time Lover, produced by Win Win Production. He did, however, take some liberties.

“Is a long time mi love di song, long time mi a sing it pon soun’, suh mi jus’ put some more lyrics to it,” said Swag 16.

Don Ruben and Mega Tone were two of the sound systems he cut his teeth on. His contemporaries included singers Echo Minott and Jim Kelly, older brother of Junior Kelly, and sibling deejays Papa San and Dirtsman.

While his colleagues went on to successful recording careers, Swag 16’s studio output was limited to cutting dub plates for Don Ruben and Strike Force, another Spanish Town sound system.

Disheartened by the meager financial returns from dub plates, Swag 16 left the music business and settled into a regular nine-to-five job in Jamaica and later, Florida.

Swag 16 had a change of heart after meeting Choy Campbell, head of Win Win Production, and eventually they recorded Part Time Lover, with additional lyrics. Now that he is off the mark, Swang 16 is eager to put in even more studio time.

“It’s been a long time, yuh nuh, but wi want to do even more,” he said.

Howard Campbell