Solomon Islands international music artist Jah Boy mesmerized fans in Kiribati Thursday last week with a live performance at the Betio Sports Complex in the capital Tarawa.
A force to reckon with in reggae, pop, hip hop and a blend of R&B fusion, Kirwan Hatigeva ( Jah Boy’s birth name), a Solomon Islander of mixed Polynesian and Melanesian parentage, has been making waves at both the regional and international music scenes with his unique styles.
The local reggae sensation staged two separate shows as part of his Pacific tour in the tiny Pacific island nation. He was accompanied by his music producer, a Solomon Islander of Kiribati descent.
Speaking to the press in Tarawa, the music sensation said he was pleased to meethis fans in Kiribati.
“I love going on tours because I’m always excited about meeting my fans and new people. My fans always want to meet me. Besides that I love experiencing different environment- lifestyles and cultures.
“So coming here, Iampretty excited because back home in the Solomons, we have a lot of Gilbertese and we call them Gilbert people. They’re originally from here (Kirabati). So the exciting thing about this place is that it has a Solomon feeling.
“Coming here reminds me of the Western Province in Solomon Islands, one of the provinceswhere all the Gilbertese live. So yeah, for me I’m so happy to be here. I just got here and still to experience what life is like here and see more of the place,” Jah boy stated.
Jah Boy who signed under the Rebelle Inc label has millions of fans on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.
His reggae cover of Justine Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself’ is by far his most watched music video on YouTube with a total of 7 million and five hundred thousand people streaming it live since last year.
The young lad made his mark in the local music scene with his debut single entitled ‘Murderer’ in 2008.
Collaboration with New Zealand’s hip hop star Scribe and Australian top underground rap artist Fortify were some of the bright spots of his magical rise to the top.
The collaboration made music history by shooting a video clip I-Premier with Scribe and Fortafy while on one of his two separate tours to Australia.
Another track making waves in the international scene is ‘Good Vibes’ featuring Jamaican YouTube sensation Conkarah and Samoan Sammielz.
Good Vibes reaches more than 1 million and all his hit songs are available on iTunes for purchase.
He signed with independent record label/publisher, Rebelle Inc in 2011 and he won two coveted awards in the local music scene as a 19 year old.
Another Solomon Islands solo artist Dezine was Jay Boy’s band mate with the group Urban Rhymes who hit the radio stations with hit track Oh Gela in 2008.
Jah Boy’s major breakthrough in the Reggae festival world was an appearance at the Cairns Reggae town Music Festival.
The festival has been graced in the past by reggae legends such as Third World, Black Seeds, Tiki Taane and King Kapisi.
Just last year the talented singer toured the Fiji Islands as part of the collaborative efforts of a youth organisation and Fiji’s biggest entertainment group, hope Fiji.
Meanwhile, Jah Boy has teamed up with Marshall Islands Zeah and young local artist Chris Young and evergreen Paeva in a new music video for his latest track ‘Loving Life’.
The music video was filmed by Torn Parachute in the US territory and produced by Baka Solomon of SIX9TOO Productions.
By SIMON ABANA
