Dancehall group Voicemail has created a lasting impact and is now celebrating 25 years in dancehall music. Founding member Kevin 'Kevyn V' Blair said that he, Leonardo Grant and Robert Manning formed the group in 1999 when they auditioned for a local talent showcase in Kingston, hosted by Tessa Linton and Susan Beadle. "It was there that we met Jerome 'Qraig' Jackson who later became a part of the group.
Through Qraig's introduction, we met O'Neil Edwards and the five of us became Voicemail. In 2001, Leon and Robert decided to leave the group, leaving just us three and we created what you now know as the Voicemail legacy," Blair shared. Their early work, such as the hit singles Weh Di Time and Ready to Party , set the stage for their rise in the dancehall scene, earning them a devoted fan base both locally and abroad.
Blair admitted that while they remained confident in their talent and longevity, it still feels surreal to have reached this milestone. "It's an incredible feeling really, a blessing to have made it this far and this long! It doesn't feel like 25 years. We definitely had big ideas from the jump.
We hoped to make a name for ourselves, but reaching 25 years is not something we ever thought about," he said. Their longevity and legacy have not been without challenges though. "Challenges include keeping our sound fresh, navigating industry changes, and overcoming personal struggles.
We have overcome most of them through perseverance, creativity, and support from fans, family and team members," Jackson told THE WEEKEND STAR . In 2010, Edwards was fatally shot in a robbery. The loss of Edwards, who was widely loved for his charisma and vocal talent, was a devastating blow to the group and their fans.
However, Jackson and Blair chose to honour their fallen brother by continuing the Voicemail legacy. Despite the gloom, there have also been many memorable moments that they will always cherish. "We are most proud of our album Hey because it was the first body of work that we had put together.
Memorable moments include performing at major festivals in Japan, the Caribbean, Europe and the US, with numerous international artistes, and seeing our music impact fans' lives everywhere," Jackson said. "We stay motivated by continuously creating, experimenting with new sounds, and engaging with our fans. Our fans have been our driving force since day one! They stay supporting us through thick and thin.
" Blair added, "We stay relevant by embracing change, innovating our sound, and engaging with the next generation of music lovers, artistes and young producers like Levels production and others." The group is promoting its latest single Hold Tight which is produced by Levels_LVL and RoTwist from Levels To Life Productions..
