I-Octane writes a ‘New Chapter’

Kingston, JAMAICA: - As highly-acclaimed singjay, I-Octane, continues to make hugely

successful strides in his career, the time has come for the Lose A Friend artiste to add a significant, new chapter to his remarkable musical journey.

New Chapter, not surprisingly, is the title of his upcoming DJ Frass-produced EP, a six-track offering soaked with the type of reality, conscious lyrics and melodies which are the hallmarks of this versatile artiste. On one level, New Chapter sees I-Octane coming full circle as he gets deep into the mellow groove and haunting, thought-provoking lyrics which characterises early songs like  My Life (DJ Frass) and Mama, singles which are numbered among his biggest hits.

Prison Life, the first song from the EP, is already making mega waves in the industry and receiving much love from radio disc jocks and, just as important, from the ordinary man in the street, whose support is quickly making this song into an anthem. Without a doubt, Prison Life is the quintessential I-Octane singing lyrics with a conviction that makes the listener believe that he is talking about a personal, true-to-life experience.

With his emotions turned all the way up, he pleads with the youth over and over to “try nuh come yah Chargie”. He outlines the horrors of prison – “dutty water, cockroaches pon the concrete” – and highlights the deep regrets of the prisoner who is now wishing “him never pull the trigger”.

According to I-Octane, after seeing the effect of this part of his repertoire on his Reggae Sumfest audience, it left him in a reflective mood and he teamed up with DJ Frass, who had produced his critically claimed 2013 album, My Journey, to begin this all-important New Chapter.  

“This is as real as it gets,” the artiste whose slang is “everything correck” stated soberly. “Prison Life lays the facts bare. No pretty up. It is what it is and it’s not anything nice. This is a song that people can relate to on many levels – whether you were in prison, are in prison,  had a loved one in prison or doing stuff that could send you to prison. Right now, the crime thing is too rampant and if this song can turn around the life of even one person who is headed to prison, then I give thanks,” he added.