I-OCTANE TO RELEASE SOPHOMORE ALBUM

Davina Henry, Staff Reporter

KINGSTON JAMAICA - Reggae artiste I-Octane has been having a successful 2013. The artiste appeared on numerous local shows, toured several countries and was even invited to close Reggae Sumfest's dancehall night.

With 2014 fast approaching, I-Octane told The Sunday Gleaner his main focus right now is the release of his sophomore album.

Still untitled, the album will be strictly reggae one-drop, and I-Octane has already enlisted the help of several top international reggae artistes to help make the album a success.

"We're currently in the process of searching for a title but, trust me, this album is going to be the best of I-Octane. Mi voice whole heap a songs already, and I'm really excited to be putting out a straight reggae one-drop album that all my fans and all music lovers, generally, will be able to enjoy," he said.

The album is slated for a January 2014 release and, already, there are plans to host launches in several countries, along with a tour.

"I'm gonna do a tour around the album, so that every country I visit after its release, there will be a launch party there. I will be releasing it worldwide, so that's definitely something that the fans can look out for and look forward to."

With his debut album being released last year, I-Octane says this time around he will have greater input on the production side of things.

"For quite a few years, I was only releasing singles, so last year I did an album called Cry to the Nation, and while the album did well, and I must big up and commend Robert Livingstone for that, I never really got to capitalise on it. It was a great album, but I never had full control over it. For this album, I will have more input in production. I have to big up Frass and Tads records," he told The Sunday Gleaner.

Capitalising on his successful year and his many supporters, I-Octane has already released the album's lead single, titled Love You Like I Do. An accompanying video was also recently released.

The 12-track album will feature artistes Gentleman and Ky-Mani Marley. In the meantime, I-Octane is gearing up for performances in the United States, Canada, Africa and the Caribbean.

I-OCTANE - "LOVE YOU LIKE I DO [OFFICIAL VIDEO]"