Alkaline Talks The Meaning Of ‘Top Prize’ In New Interview

Dancehall deejay Alkaline rose above pariah status and a crippling pandemic to deliver one of this year’s most acclaimed and commercially successful albums. Scoring several Billboard chart placements within its first week of release including the coveted No. 2 debut on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and No. 19 position on the weekly Heatseekers (for breakthroughs and developing artists) “The Man Himself” has proved his marketability as well as his mettle.

To be fair, it seems Alkaline gave us ample warning all along that further greatness was pending. With singles titled Conquer The World, Somebody Great and Elite Only, plus a debut that promised to ‘unlock new levels’, he’s more than followed through for his ever-increasing fanbase.

Speaking with the Miami New Times, Alkaline discussed the meaning behind his latest suite, which was as much for Vendetta fans as it was for him. “It falls from an honest place as far as the timing and everything,” he told New Times. “With the pandemic right now, it’s like a time where everybody has to rise to the occasion. We have to go out there and go for the top prize,” he said.

Love him, hate him or both, Alkaline has shown us how to pivot long before COVID made the term popular, successfully redefining himself after his eyeball tattoo/ skin bleaching episodes as well as time-consuming industry squabbles. He expressed that despite the antics he’d entertained in the past, his self-determination was unwavering, and he touched on the meaning of the suite’s apt title.

“Top Prize is whatever goal you want to achieve,” Alkaline said. “It’s rising and exceeding expectations. And just enjoy the whole process, the whole journey.”

Still, for all the soaring success over the last few weeks, Alkaline, (born Earlan Bartley) remains as grounded as he is grateful.

“We’re breaking down barriers and getting different cultures involved,” Alkaline said of the strides made. “It’s a good look for dancehall.”

He’s secured the summer for Vendetta with his unfailing lyrical prowess and sensual swag, but the Impact hitmaker hasn’t let the hype get to his head. When asked to sum up his personality, the self-styled ‘Youngest Lord’  jokingly replied, “Me ah just me.”