Five Questions with Chris Martin

Big Deal singer Christopher Martin continues to make waves in reggae and dancehall, delivering catchy and soulful hits to fans. From his instant fame on the music scene after winning local talent show ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ in 2005 to hit singles like I’m a Big Deal, Mama and Cheaters Prayer, not to mention collabs with Busy Signal, Bounty Killer, and Romain Virgo, the artiste has no plans to slow down. With a few new projects on the horizon and some that have recently captured the ears and hearts of the public, Five Questions With got a chance to catch up with the Guaranteed singer.

Tell us more about the collaboration with Usain Bolt on the ‘Escape Riddim’ album.

The collaboration with the legend, me and the G a par fi years. So, when he decided to dabble in music we were there to support him. And he and I both love music and whenever you have people that love music come together you’ll have great work. I’ve to big him up for embracing [music] and being a part of the whole production of Escape Riddim.

With a focus on Valentine’s Day, how did you approach creating music that caters to the romantic theme, and what was the inspiration behind the tracks you contributed to the album?

With the focus on Valentine’s Day and the release of this album. The Escape Riddim with all of the cadences and the melodies of the instrumental, I feel like it sets the tone to sing songs that are love related … For example, my song Drive Me Crazy, which is like, if you listen to the song, [it’s about] two people who aren’t really in a relationship but dem a do dem thing … It’s one of those vibes that is life. Then there is the other song, which is My All, which is saying whenever me and a special person link up ‘I give them my all’. It’s all about love and that’s what the song gives you. I feel that with that vibe and energy, it is synonymous to the ‘Love Day’ … which is Valentine’s Day, which is my birthday! The inspiration behind my two songs is that well, I’m a lover. Me born pon Valentine’s Day, me cah do no better. It’s a part of me.

Your birthday is on February 14 and you’ll be turning 37, how do you plan to celebrate this year?

You know, I’m not very big on birthdays. I’m always happy to be alive and be here to celebrate another birthday, and to see the people sending me love. But in regard to celebrating in a special way, me just love to have people that I love and who love me, to be around me on my day. The physical things nuh really jump out at me.

Can you share any memorable or interesting anecdotes from the recording sessions of the album? And, were there any challenges or surprises that stood out to you during the creative process?

The fact that everyone on the riddim was always in the studio while we’re recording or when we’re writing and just the whole production. The studio was never empty. If you’re stuck on a line and you’re trying to find a rhyme, people are just there to help out. That was something that I really enjoyed. As for challenges, none that I can recall. It was a pretty easy production that came together nicely.

Looking ahead, what other projects or collaborations can your fans anticipate from you in 2024?

One already released is the Rock Dancehall Riddim, which I’ve a song on called Gyallis. And there’s Boasy, look out for that one which is produced by Yana’s mother CeCile [he said referring to daughter, Christiyana Martin]. It’s an awesome body of work, me love it. There’s also my third studio album, which will be released around the last part of the second quarter, just before summer. And how could I forget, myself and Robert Livingstone have a super super dope song called Hot Girls. The year 2024 nice, man.

BRAWTA

How do you plan to keep your music fresh and engaging for your audience?

As long as you stay fresh as an individual I feel like your body of work and whatever you put out will resemble you. Imagine a package right … say a baby goes into a store and the baby sees two products with the same content but one of them packaged nicely and the other is bland. Which one you think the baby aguh love? Once you stay fresh and you approach your work just the same, your supporters will gravitate towards it. And, that’s why I also spend a lot of time on my physical self. Me mek sure seh me health a my greatest wealth . I spend a lot of time in the gym, I love clothes, I love fi look good so me nah drop that.

rollesha.laing@gleanerjm.com