Following a series of headline grabbing interviews that sparked conversation across Jamaica and the diaspora, Yaksta speaks with World Music Views for an in-depth discussion about his musical roots, spirituality, reggae’s future, and the meaning behind his latest project The Microphone Saved Me, arriving at a pivotal moment in both his career and the wider reggae world.
“I think immediately that was just a part of my design,” Yaksta told WMV. “I was made for music. There’s no better definition. Even when I venture into other things, it always collides back with something musical. The catalyst of everything I’m doing, the epitome, the peak, is being a musician.”
Though many know him today as an artist, Yaksta revealed that songwriting came before performing. He spent years writing songs for others before stepping into the spotlight himself.
Despite his current association with conscious reggae music and fire brand lyrics “Jesus nah come save you,” Yaksta’s upbringing was rooted in the church.
“They sent me to church,” he recalls. “Sometimes I would hide from it. The church money would end up buying ice cream. I never really liked going.”
Still, those experiences helped shape his worldview. While he admits that some of the teachings didn’t fully resonate with him at the time, they became part of a larger spiritual journey that would later influence his music and understanding of identity.
When discussing reggae’s close relationship with Rastafari, Yaksta sees the two as inseparable.
“Rastafari is reggae,” he says. “As far as roots reggae is concerned, they’ve always moved together.”
While acknowledging the evolution of dancehall and the incorporation of newer sounds like trap and contemporary production styles, the bush Laws singer believes reggae remains deeply connected to its cultural and spiritual foundations.
“Reggae, Rastafari and Black music—they’ve never been separated and never will be.”
Asked about what he listens to today, Yaksta says his playlist remains diverse but consistently returns to conscious music.
“Most of the time I’m listening to conscious music,” he explains.
Among the artists he continues to admire is Chronixx. While his recent public comments aimed at several reggae revivalist acts led some observers to speculate about tension between the two artists, Yaksta dismissed any notion of a feud.
“There’s no bad feelings,” he says. “Whatever happened was surprising at the time, but I’ve moved on. We understand where we stand.”
When asked whether he would collaborate with Chronixx in the future, Yaksta left the door open.
“In the future.”
Why ‘The Microphone Saved Me’?
The title of the new album carries deeply personal meaning.
“When things aren’t going the way they’re supposed to, you need something to vent to,” Yaksta explains. “Sometimes people become products and business becomes the priority. The only thing I could really vent to was the microphone.”
For him, music became both therapy and survival.
“That’s where I found my solace,” he said. “Through all the challenges, the criticism, the pressure, the microphone was always there.”
The project reflects those experiences, documenting personal struggles while celebrating resilience and growth.
Taking Reggae Global
With reggae currently searching for its next dominant international star, Yaksta is positioned as part of a new generation capable of carrying the genre forward.
“I want my country and my music industry to get the right attention,” he says. “The movement needs resources. The culture deserves support.”
He admits that reggae’s future cannot be confined to Jamaica alone.
“Music has to go global. Reggae isn’t just Jamaican music anymore, it belongs to everybody. It’s universal.”
He also believes international audiences should embrace reggae without forcing artists to abandon their identity.
“They must understand my standard of music and understand where it comes from.”
Reggae has a long history and has suffered boycotts especially in the early 2000s due to misalignment with other cultures. Yaksta says the greatest lessons learned from from the generations that came before him relate professionalism and authenticity.
“One of the biggest lessons is showing up for your fans and standing on business,” he says.
He also believes artists should avoid imitation.
“Don’t try to be somebody else. Be yourself.”
The artist confirmed that he previously signed a five-year agreement with an international label but is now operating independently through Bush Music.
Looking back, he appears comfortable with that decision.
“I don’t think I’d sign another record deal,” he says. “Over time you learn a lot.”
Defining the Yaksta Sound
Although often categorized as a reggae artist, Yaksta believes labels can sometimes become restrictive.
“I don’t want to be a scripted artist anymore,” he says.
