At his zenith I-Octane was a fashion conscious hitmaker who flooded the market with party songs with an obsessive focus on ‘bad-mind’ adversaries. Octane came into the game and quickly distinguished himself from the one-pointed neo-Rastas and sports groomed locks and European designer clothes.
Although his range takes him into the fire blazing sub-genre, the extent of his diversity and consistency is reflected in his top streamed YouTube songs over the last year; the 2018 relationship duet “Unfair Games” with Yanique Curvy Diva and “Prayer To the Most High” released in 2021.
On 2022’s “I Am Great”, his scorching observations are keenly captured but no obvious radio hit. It is another layer in the career of one of reggae and dancehall‘s most prolific deejays. His raspy, incendiary delivery and power punishing lyrics put into perspective the social conditions of the times. His delivery shows that he is from an era where craftsmanship matters.
On one hand it is a soothing renewal for reggae; the genre is known for its social consciousness rather than for high streaming numbers. On the other hand it’s a disturbing wake up call to the comfort class who has neglected those at the bottom.
The Troyton produced set is quite a departure from Moods(2021), his last album which had many interludes and dancehall titillations.
This album, his fifth, is more reflective, belligerent and socially aware. The political incorrectness gives it grit even on the more eloquent songs like Black Skin.
The songs are unconcerned with trending topics and dances which may make all 15 songs hard to digest for the Tik Tok audience, but for those craving consciousness and the cliched poor people representations, this album is a well produced belly full.
He has something to say about the Rastafarian community’s role in shaping society, admitting himself that he hasn’t been the best steward.
“Dem seh dem love humanity but dem a liar/cause we nuh see nuh cultivation just a dry earth/when a Hailie principle you fi apply first/cyah trick me with nuh bag a locs and nuh big beard/when who nah buy gun and dig grave/ when the fire fi a bun unuh a run/ me tink unuh did brave,” he reprimands his fellow artists on Sellassie I Work, suggesting status and financial gain has taken precedence over ‘the mission‘ in reggae music.
“A nuff a unuh aguh innah feelings and seh me anuh real ras/but unuh sell out Emanuel fi get Adidas/same ting weh Judas do to Jesus/nuff a unuh a false prophet and me mean that.”
It’s not all righteous fire burning however, as he gets vulnerable on his confessional single “Sorry”. The Clarendon born DJ is aware that his past actions may have caused hurt to others and even himself. It is one of the more personal cuts on the album that speaks to a wide audience. It is excellent introspective and songwriting when you consider over the years I-Octane has been in several public spats, and most recently his name was called twice in an ongoing gang trial in Jamaica by a witness. With a fight in his voice and the strength of his pen game, I Am Great is one of his better albums.
3.8/5
