During a recording session with Tristan Palma 30 years ago, Wise Wurdz got some rough advice from the singer/producer, best known for the hit song, Entertainment.

“Him sey, ‘Yuh cyaan sing, guh write song or produce music!’” he recalled.

Deflated, the St James native gave up on the music business and focused on operating a bakery in Portmore with his brother. Wise Wurdz eventually moved into music production with Palma, co-producing songs by Beenie Man and Sanchez.

He also recorded songs as a deejay including Ball Game and Black A Kill Black with Gregory Isaacs.

Fifteen years ago, Wise Wurdz found his true calling as a poet. Since then, he has written a number of socially-conscious pieces including Are We Free Yet, Fighting For Justice and It Dread.

The latter was inspired by the death of Mario Deane, who died in August 2014 at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James after being allegedly beaten at the Barnett Street police station in Montego Bay.

His latest poem is Pretty Brown Eyes, recorded on Beres Hammond’s Irie And Mellow beat for producer Nigel Burrell. It is Wise Wurdz’ first time on a juggling ‘riddim’.

“Being a poet does not hinder anyone from becoming an artiste. In fact, most reggae/dancehall artistes are poets in their own way. The similes and metaphors are used in their songs, the only difference is the melody and style of delivery,” he noted. “However, not every spoken word artiste can maneuver themselves on a properly-produced riddim, but I love the feel and sounds of the riddims.”

Wise Wurdz is one of five nominees for the Mutabaruka Award at the International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA), scheduled for March 30 at the Coral Springs Center For The Arts in South Florida. Marcia Jackson, Amaziyah The Great, Judith Falloon-Reid and Richie Innocent are the other contenders in that category.

– Howard Campbell