Exco Levi reaching higher heights

Buoyed by his Juno win in Canada earlier this year, singjay Exco Levi is hoping 2013 will see the next step of his plan of becoming an international reggae star.

Levi, born Wayneford Levy, migrated to Canada almost a decade ago, but has always maintained his Jamaican ties. During his time in Canada, Levi experienced moderate success with Oh Canada that helped him break into the Canadian consciousness as a promising Reggae entertainer.

In April, however, he received the ultimate acclaim, winning the Juno Award in the category of Best Reggae Recording with Bleaching Shop, which speaks about the bleaching phenomenon Jamaica.

The Juno is the Canadian equivalent to the American Grammy Awards. The song is also his first project for Penthouse records, whose family he joined when he returned to Jamaica about two years ago.

A different vibe

"Jamaica is the hub of the music and whenever the song comes from Jamaica it has a different vibe, and people all over the world accept it because it's from Jamaica. So that's why I moved back to Jamaica, because this is also where all the big producers like Donovan Germaine and many others are," he said. "So I have to come back to the roots, and it's done well for me."

He hopes his upcoming album, due out early 2013, that is also being produced by Penthouse, will also do well, perhaps even better. He said it will feature songs that carry a positive message.

"It will be more spiritual vibes 'cause my name is Levi, and Levi means high priest, so the songs are going to be spiritual.

"I am also going to be singing some love songs and songs about current affairs, because I love to sing songs about things that are going on.

"We want to sing about some real things that make it real to the people, so that will be the flavour of the album."

Most of the songs that will eventually make the final cut are already done, including some remixes with Black Uhuru, Mykal Roze and the late Garnett Silk.

The album that will be released on the VP Records label, he said, will be the next step in making the name Exco Levi internationally known.

He is already getting love in Jamaica for Save The Music which, he said, is getting him the most airplay he has ever had in Jamaica. His eyes, however, are on his ultimate goal for 2013.

"I would like for the world to hear more Exco Levi and hear what I have to offer to this beautiful genre called reggae music. When I rise to that level I want to remain positive, humble. I want to be a loved superstar. I want to be a megastar that people can look up to and believe in," he said.

(from Jamaica Star)