Reggae-dancehall artist I-Octane is turning the page on pain, expectations, and external validation with the release of his seventh studio album God and I, dropping April 25 on all major streaming platforms. In a deeply introspective interview with Angela Yee on The Way Up Show on Power 105.1, Octane peeled back the layers of his personal and artistic journey—highlighting the spiritual transformation that has shaped both the man and the music.
Returning to Purpose: “Put back some soul”
Known for his party anthems and hard-hitting dancehall tracks, I-Octane admits he felt pulled away from the essence of his artistry—social commentary and inspiration.
“The social commentary is really your thing. I know that you’re good in the dancehall and you have a lot of dancehall. You like that vibe, you cater for the party, the ladies, etc. You need to put back some soul, some inspiration in the people.”
The singer reflected on a period where he allowed market trends to dictate his creative direction—a shift he now views as a misstep. Instead of introducing the product to the market and shaping demand, he began waiting for the market’s approval.
“That’s the wrong way to approach it,” he said. “I was just watching the market. But watching the market is like I’m allowing the market to dictate how I work.”
Staying Out of the Garrison
In a clear statement of personal growth and safety-first thinking, I-Octane also shared why he’s deliberately distancing himself from environments that come with heavy reputational risks.
“The right decision is not to visit the Garrison… automatically once you go they’re going to label you as a don. So I’m going to stay out of this environment.”
It’s a new kind of maturity from the artist who has had his fair share of public scrutiny and life-threatening experiences.
A Historic Collaboration: His Daughter, the Youngest Reggae Producer Ever
One of the most touching revelations came when I-Octane revealed that his 5-year-old daughter is a credited producer on the track Opportunist featuring Shaneo—officially making her the youngest producer in reggae history.
“She’s telling me that the melody has to be repetitive. She’s 5 years old and schooling you on that! When I sing it she says ‘Okay I like that.'”
He proudly shared how she favored working with producer Shane O who approved the beat choosing from four options. Though she’s into producing for now, her father says music is definitely her calling.
Pushing Through the Pain: “I had to take back my power”
I-Octane didn’t shy away from addressing the adversity he faced after leaving Jamaica, including legal challenges and betrayals that left him feeling abandoned.
“I’ve been through a lot over the last five years… life-threatening situations… I was all on my own. The people that reached out were not the ones I expected.”
These experiences left him bitter at first, but also became a mirror that revealed something deeper: his own need to reset his expectations and take back control of his emotional world.
“I am the common denominator… I was the one who allowed these individuals to have so much power in my life.”
That awakening led to a spiritual reconnection with the universe and the Almighty. The result? A renewed I-Octane—vibrant, youthful, and unburdened.
Letting Go of Expectations
One of the most profound insights from the interview came as I-Octane spoke about the danger of expectations in relationships and life.
“No expectation is a disease,” he said. “You create an illusion reality or an algorithm from your expectation… and try to insert a living being into it.”
He painted a vivid metaphor: if he loves red and builds a red room for someone whose favorite color is green, he has denied them the space to be themselves. It’s a lesson in love, growth, and acceptance.
Watch full interview here.
