Certified Billboard producer, dancehall and reggae Notnice has announced recording artist Jafrass’s debut EP “Faith”, set for release Aug. 20 on Notnice Records.
Influenced by the legendary Jimmy Cliff and iconic Vybz Kartel, emerging artist Jafrass found kinship in both these artists’ respective creativity and delivery, according to Brooklyn-based entertainment publicist Ronnie Tomlinson.
But Tomlinson, the Jamaican-born chief executive officer of Destine Media, said it was an unlikely ally who encouraged Jafrass’s artistry.
“My grandmother would drink rum on occasions and, when she was feeling it, she would always call me to deejay for her,” Jafrass said. “She was my first fan.”
Although music has always played a role in his life, Tomlinson said Jafrass’s professional career started when he “serendipitously was introduced to coveted producer Notnice.
“The latter lead to signing to the imprint label Notnice Records,” Tomlinson said.
“From them time until now a just history,” Jafrass said.
Since recording his debut single, “Floss Boss” on Notnice’s Detox Riddim, Tomlinson said Jafrass has honed his craft by delivering a modest discography, and toured both locally and internationally.
“Armed with these experiences, the recording artist has delivered his musical entrée by way of an eight-track journey into his mental and emotional landscape,” Tomlinson said. “’Faith’ EP is the perfect soundtrack to a still-unfolding talent ready to be heard in his fullness.”
Jafrass said each song has “a different message.”
“The EP doesn’t really have one feel; it’s more like different sides of me,” he said. “There are girls’ songs, conscious songs and street songs.
“The title of the EP is self-explanatory,” he added. “It came from the fact that so many times I felt like giving up, but faith brought me this far, and me firm. That is also why it is the lead single.”
The EP also features collaborations with Nordia Mothersille, Jah Vinci and Squash.
“A showcase of both Jafass’s vocal stylings, as well as his pen, ‘Faith’ EP is perfectly suited for this moment in culture forever, marked by a global pandemic, ongoing hardships and realities, with an added dose of fun,” Tomlinson said.
“The eight-track, full-length proves to be another welcomed triumph for dancehall and reggae music,” she added.
Jafras, Faith EP by Notnice Records (Aug. 20) via ONErpm, is now available for pre-order/pre-save with the lead title “Faith” available as an instant track: https://onerpm.link/faithEP
