Papa Biggy encourages youth to shun violence

Veteran reggae/dancehall artiste Papa Biggy said he is getting a good 'forward' from his latest single, titled Know 'Di Streets'.

"The song is blazing in even Sierra Leone, which is a country in West Africa, and this alone shows you how powerful our genre is. It is the language that speaks for us. Our local deejays are playing it and it is not only playing on the airwaves, but in dancehall sessions as well," he said.

Released in July, Know Di Streets encourages the youth to embrace a female instead of choosing violence.

"[The song] is another conscious and positive song with a message. It speaks to the people who have their 'three points' (life) and want to just give it away. It encourages the youth not to be a slave to badness or violence, because none of us are Lazarus. When we dead we cannot raise (rise up) back, so it better we get a fatty and model pon Saturday," he said.

"While I am glad for the steady rotation of the song, mi nuh want the youth dem to just listen and buss a blank when dem hear it. Mi want dem to follow the instructions as well. Life is nice and the bag a bad vibes nuh good for anyone, so nuh badda act brave and chuck badness," Papa Biggy added.

Papa Biggy, who calls the US home, returned to the island this year following an almost 25-year absence.

"The love and the warmth of the people were amazing, and it just reminded me that out of many, we are one same way. No matter what anyone says, Jamaica will always be my home. I had really missed being home," he said.

The entertainer, who had a few live sessions, said he got the opportunity to meet some of the younger artistes and was impressed by their growth.

"What I have observed is that the younger artistes, or those of nowadays, are investing more into their careers and businesses that will sustain them later on in life. Those are very good moves," he said.