Polarizing Dancehall star, Alkaline has scored another breakthrough in his short career after recently receiving a United States visa and will be sharing a stage alongside Dancehall stalwart, Mavado in New York this December.
Having performed across Europe, Africa and the Caribbean since emerging in the mainstream in 2012, the deejay, known for singles such as Live Mi Life, 123 and Church Folks, will be heading to Club Amazura in Queens for a show on Dec. 19.
According to Alkaline, in an interview with IRIE FM Wednesday, this is a good look for his career and Dancehall music in general
“It’s a good feeling overall, not just for myself, but it’s a good look for Dancehall in general, because it’s not common that many Dancehall artists get an opportunity to travel to the States,” he said. “It’s a good feeling to be a limited edition.”
Ever since 2010, when a slew of Dancehall acts, including Mavado, Sizzla, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Aidonia and others had their U.S. visas revoked, deejays have had more luck either regaining them or being granted, with Beenie and Mavado two of the high-profile Dancehall stars to reclaim their visas in the last three years.
For Alkaline, however, he has no plans to rest on his laurels once he makes the trip States side, as he knows this means he will have to work harder and capitalize on an opportunity to build his brand.
“Mi a stick to the game plan, the original plan, just haffi work hard. The music reach pon a broader scale right now,” he said. “Mi can actually go over to the States and interact with the fans over there because you know there is a main Dancehall market over there.”